[14] Being inspired by the renowned headhunter Perheile, who was his great-great-grandfather,[7] Kengurüse had to climb barefeet as he realised that his shoes are having gripping problem in the rocks.

The citation for the Maha Vir Chakra reads as follows:[19] Operation: Op Vijay - Kargil Effective Date of Award: 28 Jun 1999

Captain Neikezhakuo Kengurüse was the Ghatak Platoon Commander during the attack on Area Black Rock in the Drass Sector on the night of 28 June 1999 during Operation VIJAY.

He volunteered to undertake a daring commando mission of attacking a well-sited enemy machine gun position, on a cliff face, which was heavily interfering with all the approaches to the main objective of the Battalion.

On reaching the final cliff face, the commando team was halted by a sheer rock wall that separated them from the enemy machine-gun post.

Captain Neikezhakuo Kengurüse displayed conspicuous gallantry indomitable resolve, grit and determination beyond the call of duty and made the supreme sacrifice in the face of the enemy, in true traditions of the Indian Army.