Kargil War Hero Brigadier (Retd) Dr Lahiri honoured for extraordinary courage

 

 

In a heartfelt gesture of appreciation and respect, Raipur Collector Dr Gaurav Singh on Monday visited the residence of Brigadier (Retired) Dr Pranab Kumar Lahiri, a distinguished hero of the Kargil War, to honour him on the instructions of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. Dr Singh presented Brigadier Lahiri with a shawl and a bouquet, inquiring about his well-being and assuring him of the administration’s steadfast support. A district medical team also conducted a health examination during the visit. Brigadier (Retired) Dr Pranab Kumar Lahiri is recognised for his extraordinary courage and service during the Kargil conflict, where he played a pivotal role behind the scenes, saving countless lives.

 

During the war, he was posted as an orthopedic surgeon at the 92 Military Hospital in Srinagar. Amidst the continuous shelling and chaos, Dr Lahiri worked tirelessly day and night, both in the operation theatre and close to the border, performing surgeries on over 1,000 injured soldiers. His skillful hands not only mended broken bones but also kept alive the hopes of hundreds of families. Today, Brigadier Dr Lahiri is battling Parkinson’s disease and is confined to a wheelchair. While age and illness may have impacted his physical strength, his unwavering patriotism remains as resolute as ever. Brigadier Lahiri holds the distinction of being the first Kargil warrior to receive the Army Medal after the formation of Chhattisgarh state. As a testament to his service, the hospital in Srinagar where he operated still preserves the Pakistani bullets extracted from the bodies of Indian soldiers. The administration’s gesture serves as a salute to such true heroes who silently protected the nation. District Sainik Welfare Officer Captain Anil Kumar Sharma was also present on this occasion.