Ivan Joseph Crasto
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ivan Joseph Crasto | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Colonel Ivan Joseph Crasto | |
| Born | |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Branch |  Indian Army |
| Service years | 1978-?? |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Service number | IC-35129 |
| Unit | 1 PARA (SF) |
| Commands | 1 PARA (SF) |
| Known for | Timber Trail cable car rescue |
| Awards |  Kirti Chakra |
| Alma mater | National Defence Academy Indian Military Academy |
Colonel Ivan Joseph Crasto, KC is a retired officer of the Indian Army with the elite Para SF. During a daring civilian rescue mission known as the Timber Trail Rescue in 1992, he was awarded India's second highest peacetime gallantry award the Kirti Chakra for his indomitable courage to save the civilian from cable car.[1][2]
Military career
Crasto was one of the first gentleman cadets among four others to do para jumping at Indian Military Academy. Joseph Crasto was commissioned into the Para SF in Indian Army on July 1978.[4] He held key command and operational roles, eventually leading the 21st Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).[5]
Timber Trail Rescue (1992)
In October 1992, a cable car at Timber Trail, Parwanoo, Himachal Pradesh became stranded mid-air with 10 passengers trapped inside due to a mechanical failure.[6][7][8][9] Major Crasto led a team in a high-risk rescue operation. Despite turbulent winds and dangerous conditions, Crasto’s leadership was crucial in saving the lives of the stranded civilians.[10][11] For his “remarkable courage and leadership,” he was awarded the Kirti Chakra, one of India’s peacetime gallantry awards.[12][13]