Major David Manlun hailed from Churachandpur district in Manipur and was born on 27 Jul 1985 in Imphal, Manipur. Son of an army veteran Subedar M Khanzalam, Major David Manlun had four siblings. His elder brother is serving with the Army and sister is married to an Army officer Lt Col Newton. A multifaceted personality, an athlete and a keen footballer, Maj David since his childhood had a keen interest in sports and represented his team at various levels.

Major David loved music and was a good guitarist and vocalist. He also had a flair for languages and in addition to English, Hindi and his mother Tongue Zou, he was proficient in many languages that included Mizo, Kuki and Paite. Major David was a person full of life, and was loved by his family, friends and colleagues.

Major David Manlun finished his schooling from Army Public School, Shillong and graduated from St Anthony’s College Shillong in the year 2006. In 2009 he joined the Officer Training Academy, Chennai. In Mar 2010 he was commissioned into the 1st Battalion the Naga Regiment, the out-fit which remembers him fondly. He joined the battalion at Naugam in J& K and served there for next two years and took part in a number of operations.

After a stint of a peace station at Baklow in HP, Major David was posted in Nagaland with 164 InfBn TA (NAGA) in 2014. He was awarded with the Chief of Army Staff Commendation in recognition of his exemplary service on 15 Aug 2016. Card. Having almost completed his tenure of Nagaland, Maj David had opted for deputation to National Security Guard for which the probation was to begin on 23 Jun 2017.

Lappa Operation : 07 June 2017

On receiving intelligence reports about the presence of militants in the Lappa area, close to the Myanmar border, the security forces decided to launch a joint operation on 07 June 2017. The militants were suspected to be from ULFA(I) and a SS Khaplang faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K),who were very active in the Mon district of Nagaland. The joint operation by a combined team of the Para commandos and the Naga Territorial Army of 164 Brigade of TA , was launched.

The combined team swung into action and launched a search and destroy mission in Lappa area in Mon district of Nagaland. The area was approximately 325 Kms from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland and 25 Kms from Myanmar border. Major David was leading the team in the mission , when the militants fired at them. Major David led from the front and counter attacked , directing his troops. However the militants were heavily armed and were using automatic weapons and grenades. During the fierce gun-battle, Major David got injured and was martyred.

Inspired by the leadership of Major David, his troops counter attacked the militants and the successful operation led to the recovery of huge quantity of arms and ammunition from the militants. Major David displayed courage and leadership of a very high order in the face of the enemy and proved his mettle as a dedicated and committed soldier.

Source:https://www.honourpoint.in/