Lieutenant-General Francis Tiburtius Dias, PVSM, AVSM, VrC (14 October 1934 – 16 January 2019) was an Indian Army officer, who was involved in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
Francis Tiburtius Dias | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname(s) | Dick Dias[1] |
| Born | 4 October 1934 Poona, Maharashtra |
| Died | 26 January 2019 (aged 84) Pali Hill, Bandra, Mumbai |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service |  Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1954–1992 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant-General |
| Service number | IC-7044 |
| Unit | 11th Gorkha Rifles |
| Commands |  Chief of Staff Southern Command |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards |  Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal Vir Chakra |
| Spouse(s) | Selda Dias |
| Relations | His Eminence Ivan Dias Dr Olaf J Dias, Mr Ralph J Dias |
Early days
editDias was born in 1934 into a Goan[2] family having Portuguese ancestry. He is the elder brother of Cardinal Ivan Dias.[3]
Military career
editFrancis T. Dias joined the Gorkha Regiment in 1954 as a second lieutenant.[citation needed]
Vir Chakra
editThe citation for the Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:
CITATION
(Lieutenant Colonel Francis Tiburtius Dias)
Lieutenant Colonel Francis Tiburtius Dias was commanding a battalion of 11th Gorkha Rifles during the operations against Pakistan in the Eastern Sector. On 12 December 1971, he was ordered to capture a well prepared position held by an enemy infantry battalion. Again, on 13 December, the battalion was assigned the task of capturing two bridges held by the enemy in strength. And finally on 14 December 1971 the battalion was assigned the task of capturing a portion of Bogra Town. Under his leadership, the battalion carried out all the tasks successfully, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. After contacting the enemy defences at Mahasthana, he infiltrated between the enemy's forward defended localities, raided the enemy battalion headquarters, and captured the officer commanding along with other officers. He also thwarted enemy efforts to blow up bridges. It was due to him that the battalion contributed to a great extent in clearing Bogra Town and taking a large number of prisoners.
Throughout this operation, Lieutenant Colonel Dias displayed gallantry, professional skill and leadership of a high order.[4]
References
edit- ^ "Lt Gen. FT Dias dies : Indian Army loses a living legend". www.aviation-defence-universe.com. 29 January 2019.
- ^ Vaz, J. Clement. Profiles of Eminent Goans, Past and Present.
- ^ "Pope Sends Telegram for Death of Indian Cardinal Ivan Dias". 20 June 2017.
- ^ Gazette Notification: 94 Pres/72,19-8-72; Operation: 1971 Cactus Lily; Date of Award: 12 Dec 1971