Ved Parkash
लेफ्टिनेंट कर्नल वेद प्रकाश ऐरी, एमवीसी
Lt Col Ved Parkash Airy, son of Shri Ganga Bishan Airy, was born on 10 March 1935, at Karnal, Haryana. He was commissioned in the Grenadiers on 3 June 1956.
| Lt Col Ved Parkash Airy | |
|---|---|
| MVC | |
| [[File:|center|220px]] | |
| Haryana, Bharat | |
| Service No | |
| Date of Birth | |
| Place of birth | |
| Service | |
| Last Rank | |
| Unit | |
| Martyrdom | |
 | |
During the Indo-Pak War of 1971, Lt Col Airy commanded 3 Grenadiers in Basantar river area in Shakargarh sector. The enemy had covered both sides of the river with mine-fields, about 1100 metres in depth, and in addition had prepared fortified defences to check the Indian advance. The Grenadiers spearheaded the advance of 54 Infantry Division in Basantar area. They captured Bhairo Nath and Bhagor Khurd on 5th night after a tough engagement. The booty that fell to them included two Sherman tank destroyers.
The Grenadiers played a much more important role in the battle of Basantar river. They were asked to capture Lohal and Jarpal for the establishment of an initial bridge-head. On 15th night, penetrating through the deep mine-fields on the river sides and braving the incessant firing from Pak positions, they attacked the objectives. The enemy put up stiff resistance. In the ensuing fierce hand to hand fighting, the Grenadiers beat the enemy and captured the objectives. But the cost of the success was paid in heavy casualties. During this battle, Lt Col Airy led his troops with cool courage. He always remained in the forefront to encourage and inspire his men.
But the enemy did not give up. On 17 December, after getting reinforcements, he launched a massive counter-attack on the Grenadiers to dislodge them from the bridge-head. But the attack was again beaten back. Lt Col Airy moved from one trench to another motivating his men to fight, unmindful of his personal safety. Finally, the enemy had to retreat with heavy losses. The bodies of at least eighty-seven Pakistanis including Lt Col Akram, their commanding officer, were found lying along Indian forward defences.
Lt Col Airy was awarded Mahavir Chakra for conspicuous gallantry in the face of the enemy.