2nd Lt Rajeev Sandhu MVC

Second Lieutenant Rajeev Sandhu was born on 12 November 1966 in Chandigarh into a proud military family.. He was the only son of Shri Devinder Singh Sandhu and Smt Jaikanta Sandhu. His father served with distinction in the Indian Air Force, while his grandfather had been a member of the Indian National Army (INA) during World War II under the inspiring leadership of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Growing up amid such a legacy of service and patriotism, young 2nd Lt Rajeev imbibed the values of discipline, courage, and devotion to the nation from an early age. He completed his schooling at St. John’s High School, Chandigarh, an institution known for its academic excellence and emphasis on holistic development. Later, he pursued higher education at DAV College, affiliated with Panjab University, where he further developed his leadership qualities and academic acumen—attributes that would serve him well in his military career.

On 5 March 1988, Second Lieutenant Rajeev Sandhu was commissioned into the 7th Battalion of the Assam Regiment, a unit renowned for its valour and professionalism. At that time, the battalion was deployed in Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF), operating under the Indo–Sri Lanka Accord to help restore peace during the ongoing civil war. Within a few months of his commissioning, in June 1988, he was attached to ‘C’ Company of the 19 Madras Regiment, commanded by Major Pradip Mitra, which was engaged in intensive counter-insurgency operations. Despite being one of the youngest officers in the theatre, Second Lieutenant Sandhu quickly demonstrated exceptional courage, leadership, and dedication to duty, earning the respect of both his superiors and men.

Op Pawan: 19 July 1988

On 19 July 1988, Second Lieutenant Rajeev Sandhu, serving with ‘C’ Company of the 19 Madras Regiment under the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in Sri Lanka, was assigned to lead a small convoy to collect rations from a forward post located approximately 8 kilometers away. The convoy consisted of an open Recoilless Rifle (RCL) jeep and a 1-ton military lorry. As it moved through dense jungle terrain, the convoy approached a seemingly abandoned building along the route. Without warning, the jeep came under a sudden, intense ambush from concealed enemy positions on the right flank of the road, which included automatic gunfire and 40 mm rocket-propelled grenades. The attack claimed the lives of Lance Naik Nandeshwar Das and Sepoy Lalbuanga, who were seated at the rear of the jeep. Simultaneously, a rocket struck the front of the vehicle, blowing off the lower jaw of the driver, Naik Rajkumar, and hurling him violently from the jeep. Seated in the co-driver’s seat, 2nd Lt Rajeev Sandhu bore the full force of the explosion. Both his legs were severely mutilated, leaving him immobilized and critically wounded. Yet, despite excruciating pain and profuse bleeding, he displayed extraordinary courage and presence of mind. Clutching his 9 mm carbine, he dragged himself from the wreckage and crawled to a nearby firing position, refusing to surrender. Believing all occupants dead, one militant emerged to seize weapons and ammunition.

Even in his gravely wounded state, 2nd Lt Sandhu raised his carbine with blood-soaked hands and fired a fatal shot, killing the attacker—later identified as the personal henchman of a sector commander—delivering a significant blow to the insurgent forces. Realizing that a soldier still held out, the militants intensified their attack. Yet, 2nd Lt Sandhu refused to yield, denying the enemy access to weapons and preventing them from recovering their comrade’s body, disrupting their morale and momentum. Meanwhile, the rest of the convoy, hearing the gunfire, dismounted and advanced. Naik Bhagirath reached the ambushed jeep and found 2nd Lt Sandhu continuing to fire despite his critical injuries. With a choked but determined voice, Sandhu directed Naik Bhagirath to outflank the militants and block their escape route. Executing his instructions, the team carried out a coordinated counterattack, forcing the militants to flee into the jungle, abandoning their weapons, ammunition, and fallen comrades. Once the area was secure, Sepoy Kamkholum moved forward to evacuate casualties. Even in near-unconsciousness, 2nd Lt Sandhu displayed extraordinary selflessness, insisting that Naik Rajkumar and other wounded soldiers be evacuated first. Weapons were retrieved, and a team was left behind to maintain surveillance. Despite his heroic resilience, 2nd Lt Rajeev Sandhu succumbed to his grievous injuries, falling into a coma from massive blood loss and passing away during air evacuation. He was only 21 years old. For his unparalleled courage, tactical brilliance, and supreme sacrifice, Second Lieutenant Rajeev Sandhu was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second-highest wartime gallantry award, on 26 March 1990 at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

2nd Lt Rajeev Sandhu is survived by his proud parents, Shri Devinder Singh Sandhu and Smt Jaikanta Sandhu. 

The citation of  "Maha Vir Chakra" awarded to 2nd Lt Rajeev Sandhu reads:-

On the 19th July, 1983 2/Lt Rajeev Sandhu was leading a convoy of two vehicles from Madurang Keni kulam to Mangani in Sri Lanka for collection of dry ration. On the way, his jeep was suddenly fired upon by the militants with rockets and AK-47 AND 7.62 RIFLES. He was seriously wounded and a direct hit of a rocket completely mutilated both his legs. Totally crippled and bleeding profusely, he tumbled out of the jeep with his 9mm carbine and crawled to a fire position. Presuming that everyone in the vehicle had been killed one of the militants came of hiding and approached the jeep to pick up the weapons and ammunition. But all was not over yet for 2/Lt Rajeev Sandhu. Despite the fact that his legs were totally smashed and his body was perforated with bullets, he lifted his blood soaked hands, sprayed the militants with bullets and killed him. The militant was later found to be none other than Kumaran of the group led by Battalion sector militants leader, Karuna. 2nd Lt Rajeev Sandhu later succumbed to his injuries in the Field Ambulance.

2Lt Rajeev Sandhu has thus shown, exemplary courage in the face of enemy, with utter disregard to his personal safety and has done an act beyond the call of duty by making the supreme sacrifice of his life so that the lives of his comrades and weapons would remain safe. For this act of exemplary courage and devotion to duty in the face of enemy and in recognition of his supreme sacrifice of his life, he was awarded MAHA VIR CHAKRA”(P).

• 2nd Lt Rajeev Sandhu MVC did his schooling from St John school & completed his graduation from DAV College. The college authorities have constructed a marble bust of 2nd Lt Rajeev Sandhu MVC on its campus and his name has been added at the war memorial in Sector 33-based Terrace Garden in Chandigarh.

• The government has honoured 2nd Lt Rajeev Sandhu by naming a gymnasium hall and dining hall after him. An area in Manimajra in Chandigarh has been named “Rajeev Vihar” after him.

Tribute by the parents of Second Lieutenant Rajeev Sandhu:-

A small room in his house has been converted into a memorial for 2nd Lt Rajeev Sandhu where his parents have kept all of his belongings right from his childhood till his commissioning as an officer in 1988. They have also kept religious books like the Ramayan, Gita, Kuran and the Bible in the room. They spend almost half an hour daily there. The room also contains Army caps, old cassettes that 2nd Lt Rajeev had sent to his parents and various medals he won at national roller skating championship.

“My son was commissioned in the Army on March 5, 1988, and gave his supreme sacrifice while fighting the LTTE on July 19, 1988, in Sri Lanka. We could not see his body, but he will always live with us. I still wear his chain, ring, watch and bracelet,” says Mr D S Sandhu, father of the brave soldier.

Tribute by Col BS Rawat (Retd) : 

2nd Lt Rajeev , MVC, was posted to 7th Assam Regt, deployed in Op Pawan, in turn he got attached to B ,company. Under my command , I was Maj BS Rawat OC “B” Coy then. We were deployed in kattankutty near baticola. The Coy was involved in cordon & search, road opening raid, ambush road block check post, civic amenities, & helping the civil administration conducting the local elections. Multiple tasking, 2nd Lt Rajeev , fresh from OTA, full of Josh every ready to perform the assigned task. A professionally competent soldier, thorough gentleman, he always led from the front, & was never afraid of any challenge. I was also as a member of board of officers taken his professional part A exam practical approach test. He was the best among his batch. He shared his moments of joy & sorrow with me with no hesitation of being a jounior . For the operation he was awarded MVC, he was temp attached with “C” Coy, being commanded by Maj P Mitra (now Col ). These are the memories which will remain fresh as long as I live. God bless the great soul.   Jai Hind.