Meet Major David Manlun: The Brave Naga Regiment Officer Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice in Nagaland
Major David Manlun, Kirti Chakra (Posthumous), stands as a shining exemplar of courage, leadership, and selfless devotion to duty in the annals of the Indian Army. Born on 27 July 1985 in Imphal, Manipur, and hailing from Churachandpur district, he embodied the finest traditions of the Naga Regiment. At the age of 31, he made the supreme sacrifice on the night of 6/7 June 2017 while leading a daring counter-insurgency operation against heavily armed militants in the remote Lappa area of Mon district, Nagaland. For his conspicuous personal bravery and inspirational leadership under fire, he was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra, the nation’s second-highest peacetime gallantry decoration.
Early Life and Formative Years
David Manlun grew up in a family deeply rooted in military service. His father, Subedar (Retired) M. Khamzalam, had served with distinction in the Assam Regiment, instilling in his son a profound respect for the uniform and the values of discipline, honour, and sacrifice. The family, often described as a “Fauji Parivar,” comprised four siblings; an elder brother continues to serve in the 8th Battalion of the Assam Regiment, while a sister is married to Colonel Ashutosh Kumar of the same regiment.
From an early age, Major Manlun displayed remarkable determination and a passion for languages and physical pursuits. He was fluent in English, Hindi, his native Zou, as well as Mizo, Kuki, and Paite — linguistic skills that would later prove invaluable during operations in the Northeast. He excelled in sports and represented his teams at various levels. His schooling at Army Public School, Shillong, followed by graduation from St. Anthony’s College, Shillong, in 2006, laid a strong academic foundation. Reports indicate he pursued further studies, including an MBA, yet his heart remained steadfastly set on a career in the armed forces.
Path to the Uniform: Education and Commissioning
Major Manlun’s resolve to serve the nation was unwavering. He cleared the rigorous UPSC Combined Defence Services Examination and joined the Officers Training Academy (OTA), Chennai, in 2009. In March 2010, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant into the 1st Battalion of the Naga Regiment — a proud infantry unit known for its valour in counter-insurgency operations.
His early service took him to Naugam in Jammu & Kashmir, where he spent two years participating in active operations. Subsequent postings included a peace tenure at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh. In 2014, he was assigned to the 164 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) (Home & Hearth) Naga Regiment in Nagaland. There, his deep understanding of local dialects and customs enabled him to build trust with the civilian population. He organised football tournaments to engage youth and steer them away from insurgent influence while simultaneously gathering critical intelligence — a multidimensional approach that reflected both his tactical acumen and genuine commitment to the region’s peace.
Distinguished Service and Recognition
Major Manlun’s professional excellence was formally recognised when he received the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card on 15 August 2016 for outstanding service. His dedication and leadership qualities were so evident that he was selected for deputation to the elite National Security Guard (NSG). His probation was scheduled to commence on 23 June 2017 — a posting that tragically never materialised.
The Supreme Sacrifice: The Night of 6/7 June 2017
On the night of 6 June 2017, based on precise intelligence developed by Major Manlun himself, a joint operation was launched in the Lappa (Lapa) area near Tizit in Mon district, Nagaland — approximately 25 kilometres from the Myanmar border and 325 kilometres from Kohima. The target was a group of hardcore militants belonging to the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA-I, Paresh Baruah faction) and the SS Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K).
A combined force comprising personnel from the 12th Para (Special Forces) Battalion and 164 Inf Bn TA (Naga) moved in for a search-and-destroy mission. Around 2200 hours, contact was established. A fierce firefight erupted as the militants, armed with automatic weapons and grenades, opened fire and lobbed grenades toward the Indian troops. Major Manlun, commanding the column, was wounded along with three other ranks.
Despite his injuries, he displayed extraordinary courage. With utter disregard for personal safety, he moved forward under intense fire, engaged the militants at close range, and pinned them down. In the process, he eliminated three to four hardcore ULFA(I) militants who had been involved in multiple violent incidents in Upper Assam. His selfless actions prevented further casualties among his men and inspired the troops to press the counter-attack, resulting in the recovery of a large cache of arms, ammunition, and the eventual surrender of remaining weaponry.
Major David Manlun succumbed to his injuries during the intense engagement. He had led from the front, taken the first bullet to protect his soldiers, and made the ultimate sacrifice at just 31 years of age.
Posthumous Gallantry Award: The Kirti Chakra Citation
In recognition of his supreme valour, Major David Manlun was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra. The official citation, as notified in the Gazette of India, reads:
“Based on a specific intelligence developed by Major David Manlun, an operation was launched in Northern Nagaland in June 2017. During the said operation at around 2200 hrs, contact with a group of militants was established by the column Major David Manlun. A fierce firefight ensued immediately, wherein the militants lobbed grenades towards the position of Major David Manlun injuring him and three other ranks. Despite bearing the brunt of militant’s fire and grenade blast Major David Manlun with utter disregard to his personal safety moved forward and opened fire from close range to pin down the militants, thus preventing them from causing further casualty to own troops and eliminated three militants. Major David Manlun succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter. The killed militants were hardcore cadres of ULFA(I) and were involved in numerous incidents of violence in Upper Assam. Major David Manlun displayed conspicuous personal bravery and leadership of the highest order and made supreme sacrifice in fighting with the militants.”
The award was formally presented by the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, to his parents at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 27 March 2018 during the Defence Investiture Ceremony.
Enduring Legacy
Major David Manlun’s story continues to inspire generations of defence aspirants and serving personnel alike. On 23 May 2018, the newly constructed auditorium at Army Public School, Shillong, was dedicated in his honour. The Indian Army commemorates his martyrdom annually on 6 June, paying homage to his sacrifice and reaffirming the regiment’s proud legacy.
His family has expressed immense pride in his service, with his brother Siampu Manlun recalling him as a best friend, guide, and source of inspiration whose words — “it is all about your mentality; physical strength might give up but it is your mentality that will keep you going” — continue to motivate countless young Indians.
Major David Manlun’s life and sacrifice exemplify the highest ideals of the Indian Army: courage in the face of overwhelming odds, leadership that inspires others, and an unwavering commitment to the nation’s security. Though he left this world far too soon, his legacy endures as a beacon of hope and a reminder that true heroes are forged not only in battle but in the quiet determination of everyday duty.
