Keishing Clifford Nongrum


Keishing Clifford Nongrum, MVC was an Indian Army officer of 12 Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, who was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest gallantry award, for exemplary valor in combat during operations in the Kargil War in 1999.

Early years and career

Nongrum was born and brought up in Shillong, Meghalaya, India, in a Christian family. His father, Keishing Peter, worked at State Bank of India while his mother, Saily Nongrum, is a housewife.
Nongrum received his high-school education from Don Bosco Technical School, Shillong and attended St. Anthony's College, Shillong. He was a bright student who consistently performed well in academics and sports. He graduated from the Officers Training Academy, Chennai and commissioned into the 12th battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry.

Kargil War

At the outbreak of war, his battalion was posted to the Batalik sector.
The mission was assigned to 12 JAK LI on 30 June 1999 to capture the strategically important Point 4812 in the Batalik sector. Capt Nongrum was tasked to lead the assault team for this critical mission.
Capt Nongrum was awarded the Mahavir Chakra for his gallant action in this operation.
The Maha Vir Chakra citation reads as follows:

Legacy

Lt. Keishing Clifford Nongrum was honored by Maha Vir Chakra for his extra ordinary valor and supreme sacrifice. He is the only person from the state of Meghalaya to have won this distinct and prestigious honor. A bust of Lt. Keishing Clifford Nongrum has been recently inaugurated at Rhino Museum Shillong in his memory.