India’s earliest gallantry awards were earned not in distant wars, but during the fragile years immediately after independence, when the Indian Army was tasked with integrating princely states into the Union. One of the most significant of these operations was Operation Polo in September 1948.
It was during this operation that Nar Bahadur Thapa, serving as a Naik in the 5th Battalion, 5 Gorkha Rifles, displayed extraordinary courage and was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra.
Operation Polo: Context and Objective
Operation Polo, officially termed the Hyderabad Police Action, was launched in September 1948 to integrate the princely state of Hyderabad into the Indian Union.
At the time:
- Hyderabad had not acceded to India
- Armed militia known as the Razakars were resisting integration
- Law and order had deteriorated across large areas
The Indian government authorised a limited military operation to:
- Neutralise armed resistance
- Restore civil authority
- Prevent large-scale violence
The operation was executed swiftly and decisively by the Indian Army.
Unit and Role
Naik Nar Bahadur Thapa served with 5/5 Gorkha Rifles, an infantry battalion assigned combat tasks during Operation Polo.
Infantry units were tasked with:
- Clearing hostile strongholds
- Engaging armed Razakar groups
- Securing roads, towns, and strategic locations
These were close-quarter combat operations, often conducted in built-up areas with limited intelligence and high risk.
The Engagement
During one such action, Naik Thapa’s section came under heavy fire from armed Razakar elements entrenched in a defended position.
The situation was critical:
- Enemy resistance was strong
- Movement was restricted
- Delay would have exposed the unit to further casualties
Recognising the danger to his comrades, Naik Thapa took the initiative to assault the enemy position.
Act of Gallantry
In the course of the assault:
- Naik Thapa charged the hostile position under fire
- Engaged the enemy at close range
- Continued the attack despite sustaining severe injuries
His action disrupted the enemy defence and enabled his unit to advance and secure the objective.
Naik Nar Bahadur Thapa succumbed to his wounds during the action.
Why This Act Met the Ashok Chakra Standard
The Ashok Chakra is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery or self-sacrifice in peacetime operations, where death is often certain.
Naik Thapa’s gallantry qualified because:
- He acted voluntarily under direct enemy fire
- His assault directly enabled mission success
- He placed the survival of his unit above his own life
His courage was not impulsive. It was tactical, deliberate, and decisive.
Significance of His Sacrifice
Naik Nar Bahadur Thapa’s action contributed to:
- The rapid neutralisation of armed resistance
- Reduction of prolonged fighting
- Successful completion of unit objectives
Operation Polo concluded within days, preventing what could have escalated into widespread internal conflict.
Place in Indian Military History
Naik Nar Bahadur Thapa holds a special place in Indian military history because:
- He was among the earliest Ashok Chakra recipients
- His gallantry occurred during India’s first major post-Independence military operation
- His story represents the sacrifices made during national integration
Unlike later wars, these operations are often overlooked, despite their historical importance.
Why His Story Is Rarely Told
Operation Polo is sometimes discussed politically, but rarely examined at the soldier level.
As a result:
- Individual acts of bravery are overshadowed
- Early Ashok Chakra stories remain unfamiliar
- Public memory focuses more on later wars
This makes it all the more important to document them accurately.
Closing Thoughts
Naik Nar Bahadur Thapa did not fight in a foreign war or under a UN flag. He fought during one of India’s most consequential internal military operations, at a time when the nation itself was still taking shape.
His courage during Operation Polo exemplifies the highest ideals of infantry soldiering: initiative under fire, responsibility toward comrades, and sacrifice without hesitation.
Remembering his story is not about symbolism.
It is about understanding how India’s military history was written, one soldier at a time.