During the Operation Riddle against Pakistan in the 1965 war, Major Sat Prakash Verma of the 3/8 Gorkha Rifles battalion was the leading company commander. On September 3, the officer was asked to lead attacks on a target in Jammu and Kashmir, whose approach was barred by a high stone wall.
During the attack, though the enemy retaliated by using heavy fire, Major Verma was undeterred and continued with the mission.
He used rocket launchers to create a breach in the stone wall and managed to find a way to move close to the enemy bunkers. Despite heavy enemy fire, he led his men through the breach and blew off the enemy bunkers one by one.
When two Pakistani soldiers came out and attacked him, Varma killed both of them with his 'khukri'. He, however, was wounded. He still remained with his men and continued to encourage them till the mission was complete.
Verma later succumbed to his injuries. For his gallant actions against the enemy, he was awarded the Vir Chakra.