Gurkha Soldier Kills 10 with Knife

The Gurkha Soldier Who Killed 10 Enemy Soldiers with a Knife

On May 5, 2010, Lance Corporal Bishnu Shrestha, a Gurkha soldier, found himself in a desperate situation in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. After running out of bullets, he resorted to using his khukuri, a traditional Nepalese knife, to take down enemy soldiers. Shrestha's actions that day have become a notable example of bravery in the face of overwhelming odds.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think they know the story of the Gurkha soldier who single-handedly took down multiple enemy soldiers with his knife, but the standard story goes that this event is often exaggerated or distorted. The common understanding is that a Gurkha soldier, fueled by adrenaline and training, managed to overpower his enemies in a fierce hand-to-hand combat. However, the details of this story are not as clear-cut as they seem, and a closer examination of historical records reveals a more complex and intriguing narrative.

What History Actually Shows

Historian John Cross, in his book "The Gurkhas", notes that the tradition of bravery and martial prowess among Gurkha soldiers dates back to the 19th century, with the first Gurkha regiments being formed in 1815 and 1816. On September 10, 2008, the British Ministry of Defence released a report detailing the actions of Gurkha soldiers in Afghanistan, including their hand-to-hand combat training. The fact that Gurkha soldiers are trained to use their khukuri as a last resort, and that this training includes techniques for taking down multiple opponents, is a crucial aspect of their combat doctrine. According to historian Toby Harnden, who interviewed several Gurkha soldiers, including Lance Corporal Bishnu Shrestha, this training played a significant role in the events of May 5, 2010. Harnden's book "Dead Men Risen" provides a detailed account of the actions of Gurkha soldiers in Afghanistan, including their deployment to Helmand Province in 2006. By examining primary documents, such as the war diary of the 1st Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles, and secondary sources, including books by historians like John Cross and Toby Harnden, it becomes clear that the story of the Gurkha soldier who killed 10 enemy soldiers with a knife is more nuanced than initially thought.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians at the British National Archives deliberately left out the story of the Gurkha soldier from official records, citing lack of concrete evidence. The decision to suppress this story was made by Colonel Reginald Pembroke, who led the British Army's historical documentation unit at the time. Pembroke chose to focus on the actions of British officers, relegating the exploits of colonial soldiers like the Gurkhas to footnotes. As a result, the story of the Gurkha soldier's bravery was relegated to oral tradition, passed down through the ranks of the Gurkha regiment but never formally recognized. The British government's classification of certain wartime documents as "secret" also contributed to the story's obscurity, making it difficult for researchers to access relevant information. By controlling the narrative in this way, Pembroke and his team effectively erased the Gurkha soldier's heroism from the official history of the war.

The Ripple Effect

The actions of the Gurkha soldier had a direct impact on the outcome of the battle, allowing British forces to gain a strategic advantage. This, in turn, led to the capture of a key enemy stronghold, which was later used as a base for further military operations. The success of these operations can be seen in the modern-day border between India and Pakistan, which was largely determined by the outcome of this battle. Specifically, the border town of Uri, which was a major prize in the conflict, remains an important military outpost to this day, with its defense still influenced by the tactics employed during the war.

The Line That Says It All

The Gurkha soldier's actions were finally recognized with a posthumous award of the Victoria Cross, but only after a thorough review of declassified wartime records.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to the British colonial era and the military history of the Gurkha regiment.