Brave-heart Ekka was born to an Adivasi tribe of Christian community on 27th Dec 1942 in village Zari, Ranchi. His keen interest in hunting, a common sport among the Adivasis, helped him develop skills that backed him join the Indian Army at the young age of 19. As he always aspired to be, in 1962 he got enrolled in the Bihar Regiment. By 1968, when the 14th Battalion of the Brigade of the Guards was raised, Ekka got his first transfer and promotion as L/Nk.

 

 

The battle of Hilli on the eastern frontier that Ekka along with his team sacrificed lives in, has gone down in history as the most crucial battle in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. It was during this time that the young soldier got his most awaited opportunity to showcase his exceptional valour in the face of the enemy. The fierce Battle was fought in East Pakistan for 27 days and is recalled as the Bangladesh liberation war. India aimed to control Bogura, thereby cutting off Pakistan forces in the north from the rest of East Pakistan. The best way to get to Bogura was through Hilli. To turn the tide of a losing war, Pakistan Army had planned a surprise attack on Agartala, barely days before they surrendered. Agartala was the hub of strategic planning for the Bangladesh Liberation War.

 

 

On 3rd Dec,1971 when the war broke out near Gangasagar railway station, 7 km from Agartala, Ekka’s unit 14 Guards was tasked to attack on the enemy defences at Gangasagar on the Eastern front. As the Operation began, the unit placed itself south of Gangasagar, and formed its defences. The high ground around the railway station was their main defence, followed by anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. During a patrol, Pakistani troops were found moving on the railway tracks. Soon two companies of the battalion attacked the enemy positions along the track. The brave son of the nation laid down his life defending the nation against the forces of Pakistan while saving Agartala from Pakistan's invasion.

 

Among the various legacies the martyr holds are the honours and statues across the states that pay tribute to his selfless service for the nation. On 50th Republic day, the Govt. of India issued a postal stamp in his memory. Jharkhand has the major intersection in front of Firayalal store as Albert Ekka Chowk, which also bears his statue. The Govt. of Bangladesh conferred on him the Friends of Liberation War honour for his outstanding support and sacrifice to the 1971 war. People of Tripura every year pay tribute to him on his death anniversary in Agartala.