Dibrugarh: A memorial for havildar Hangpan Dada, who was honoured posthumously with the Ashok Chakra in 2017, the highest gallantry award during peace-time operations, was unveiled at the brave soldier's native Borduria village at Khonsa in Arunachal Pradesh's Tirap district on Saturday.

The GOC 2nd Mountain Division, Major Gen. Gajinder Singh, inaugurated the memorial on the second martyrdom anniversary of Hangpan Dada who made the supreme sacrifice in Jammu and Kashmir on May 26, 2016, by eliminating four terrorists.

The wreath-laying ceremony was done at the memorial by the GOC, the martyr's wife Chasen Dada, the commander of 112 Mountain Brigade and the MLAs of Tirap district. Maj. Gen. Gajinder Singh recalled the supreme sacrifice made by Dada beyond his call of duty to protect his countrymen.

On the night of May 26, 2016, Dada, as Sabu post commander of the 35 Rashtriya Rifles, while establishing a stop along with his section at 12,500 feet, led a charge on terrorists in the Shamshabari range in Naugam, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the neutralisation of four heavily-armed terrorists.

He, along with his team, spotted the movement of terrorists in the area and engaged them in a fierce encounter that went on for over 24 hours. Dada charged at the terrorists and killed two of them on the spot.

He killed the third one after a hand-to-hand scuffle as they slid down the hill towards the Line of Control.

Dada was hit by a sudden burst of automatic fire from the fourth terrorist and received a gunshot wound. He later succumbed to his injuries.

Dada's action of eliminating the terrorists with disregard for his personal safety foiled the infiltration bid and ensured the safety of his men.

He was honoured posthumously with the Ashok Chakra on the eve of Republic Day in 2017.