Former Gurkha detains knife-wielding mugger despite having blade embedded in his arm

Daily Mail (UK) ^ | 3 February 2013 | Daily Mail Reporter

[PotatoHeadMick]

An ex-Gurkha forced to defend himself when attacked by a man wielding a knife only realised afterwards a six-inch blade was embedded in his arm.

Mr Phlamachha was out for an evening walk with his wife Asha, 38, when they stopped to have a look in the window of a health shop, in Maidstone, Kent.

Suddenly Mr Phlamachha was thrust up against the wall and allegedly told to 'hand over the money', or get stabbed.

The former soldier and black belt in karate and taekwondo, said 'yes' - then calmly warned the attacker: 'First you should know who I am.'

[familyop]

"taekwondo"

Great work. Good man.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

I suspect that he was either advised by his lawyer to say that, or he was smart enough to say it after the fact. He didn’t actually get chatty during a fight for his life.

It’s part of the legal dance you have to do in Britain after defending yourself. “And then I said, ‘Sir, you should not hold your knife pointed at my face, because that could be interpreted as a hostile act’”. Utter b.s., but then again, so are their self-defense laws.

Fortunately, in much of the US, you can rely on Tuco’s rule.

“When you have to shoot, shoot. Don’t talk.”

[Lazamataz]

A Gurkha like this guy might have lived another 25 years before noticing this knife imbedded in his arm.

[Texas Fossil]

There are NO X-Marines and there are NO Ex-Gurkha.

I still think we need to hire a regiment to police our Southern Border with Mexico. That would stop the “traffic”.

Gurkha are some tough little soldiers. Few words, much action. I salute them.

[Texas Fossil]

If the attacker had any clue what the tool of the trade for Gurkha is, he would have run for his life.

With a Kukhari the little Gurkha would have made quick work of this.

http://www.khukurihouseonline.com/Themes/Products/Large_1/1235465497.jpg

[Ramius]

Sword ping indeed... Kukri is close enough. :-)

[B4Ranch]

ping Another badass shows his stuff.

[jmacusa]

Unless you’re tired of living or just plain stupid, a Gurkha warrior, like a Sheik is not a man to be trifled with. If I were the Gurkha I would have told the stupid wanker who I was after I kicked his ass.

[James C. Bennett]

You probably meant Sikh (India), and not sheikh (Arab / Muslim), the ones the former ended up overthrowing.

[WomBom]

I’m a GURKHA...... B10TCH!!!!!

[300winmag]

Sword ping indeed... Kukri is close enough. :-)

I don't normally use a blade, but when I do, I appreciate some extra length and sharps. For door-to-door pests, I keep this out of their view, along side the doorway.

While Cold Steel calls it a tomahawk, the 19" handle tells me it's more of a battle axe. And they are now making a trainer, with a rubber head rather than steel. I'll now be able to practice my "repel boarders" defenses without risking anything worse than knocking over a lamp. Anybody who practices mixed weapons training might want to see how the trainer stacks up. :)

[yarddog]

I saw one of those tomahawks in the “Cold Steel” catalog”

They say it was popular with U.S. troops in Viet Nam.

[manic4organic]

Crook said “I’m in trouble now.” Yep. Messed with the wrong guy. Good job, sir! Crime is indeed everywhere. I was in Maidstone several years ago when my daughter was touring England as a solo act. Beautiful small town.

[the scotsman]

‘Utter b.s., but then again, so are their self-defense laws.’

No, they arent. The ignorant crap I have to read on these pages about UK laws and rights IS, however.

[the scotsman]

10 years is about the norm here. I agree, it should be higher.

[the scotsman]

‘I thought the UK had strict knife control?’

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&docid=O30_QwJxFR4SUM&tbnid=VQ9B_-AXV9SiMM:&ved=0CAUQjBwwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2F0-media-cdn.foolz.us%2Fffuuka%2Fboard%2Fa%2Fimage%2F1335%2F22%2F1335220616238.jpg&ei=rEAPUYfJGcfZ0QWX7YCgAw&psig=AFQjCNGAYO0m9DatYog-uHGPIsnUpGQZrg&ust=1360040492465483

[guido911]

Love the Gurkhas. Fierce, loyal, brave, and did I mention fierce?

[skinkinthegrass]

well, if you used it like Gibson did in The Patriot
i could be convinced, right now 42" of 1/4"
chain links & 19" knife.. trained in Martial Art.

[jmacusa]

Yes I did, thank you for the correction. Years ago in my hometown for a time my family had a doctor who was a Sikh. It was how I learned about them and their culture. A very proud and noble people.

[Winniesboy]

Why the Daily Mail is publishing it now, I don’t know. It was posted and discussed on FR in October when it happened.

Because the trial has only just happened.