2nd Lt  Amardeep Singh Bedi VrC

2nd Lt Amardeep Singh Bedi was born on June 25, 1966, in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. From a young age, he displayed a strong sense of duty and patriotism, which inspired him to pursue a career in the armed forces. After completing his education, he earned a commission into the prestigious Madras Engineer Group (MEG) on December 13, 1987. Known informally as the Madras Sappers, MEG is an engineer group within the Corps of Engineers, a crucial combat support arm of the Indian Army. With its headquarters in Bangalore, the Madras Sappers is the oldest of the three groups in the Corps of Engineers, renowned for its storied legacy, professionalism, and technical prowess.

2nd Lt Amardeep Singh Bedi joined a lineage of engineers who were not only responsible for constructing critical infrastructure like bridges, roads, and field fortifications but also for providing operational support to combat troops during times of war. His induction into this esteemed group marked the beginning of a career rooted in courage, resilience, and technical expertise. Shortly after joining the Army, 2nd Lt Bedi’s unit was deployed in a high-stakes operational environment. The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was involved in military operations in Sri Lanka as part of the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord signed in 1987. The deployment aimed to assist in implementing the accord and restoring peace in the region. This mission, however, posed numerous challenges as it evolved into a full-scale counterinsurgency operation against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). As a young officer, 2nd Lt Bedi demonstrated exceptional leadership, technical acumen, and dedication during this deployment. Operating under demanding and hazardous conditions, he played a vital role in supporting combat operations, ensuring the mobility of troops, and overcoming engineering challenges in hostile terrain. 

Op Pawan: 18 Jan 1989

In January 1989, 2nd Lt Amardeep Singh Bedi was serving with 417(I) Field Company of the Madras Engineer Group (MEG) and was deployed in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). Following the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord of 1987, Indian forces were inducted into Sri Lanka to disarm various militant groups disrupting peace in the region. Among these, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), notorious for their guerrilla warfare tactics, refused to surrender their weapons and launched attacks on the IPKF. This resistance necessitated a series of combat operations, including “Operation Pawan,” aimed at neutralizing the LTTE’s operational capabilities, particularly in and around Jaffna. The mission sought to dismantle the LTTE's leadership and render the rebel movement ineffective. Initially, only the Indian Army's 54 Division was deployed, but the escalating conflict eventually required reinforcements from the 3, 4, and 57 Divisions. By January 1989, the IPKF had conducted numerous operations, but the mission to quell the LTTE was far from complete.

On January 18, 1989, intelligence reports indicated the presence of LTTE militants in a jungle area near a lagoon. 2nd Lt Amardeep Singh Bedi was tasked with leading a search-and-neutralize operation to locate and eliminate the suspected militants. While patrolling the area, he spotted several militants attempting to cross the lagoon, approximately 700 meters away. Acting swiftly, he maneuvered his boat to intercept them, cutting off their escape route. Engaging the militants in a firefight, he successfully eliminated one and likely injured or killed three others, preventing their escape. As 2nd Lt Bedi and his team navigated a narrow channel, they encountered another group of 10 to 15 militants waiting to cross the lagoon. The militants launched a heavy barrage of fire, including General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) fire, from a distance of just 70 meters. Despite the sudden onslaught, 2nd Lt Bedi and his team retaliated fiercely. During the intense exchange of fire, 2nd Lt Bedi, along with Lance Naik M Pandu Rangaraju and Naik Chandran TR, sustained fatal injuries. All three soldiers displayed extraordinary bravery and determination before succumbing to their injuries in the line of duty.

2nd Lt Amardeep Singh Bedi’s actions exemplified exceptional courage, grit, and unwavering devotion to duty. For his supreme sacrifice and gallant leadership, he was posthumously awarded the “Vir Chakra".

The citation for the “Vir Chakra” awarded to him reads :