Major Amit Deswal SM

Major Amit Deswal was born on 15th January 1985 in the family of an army veteran Subedar Major Rishi Ram Deswal and Smt Vedvati. He hailed from Surheti village in Haryana’s Jhajjar district.  After completing his primary education from village Surehti,  he went to Ambala for his 6-8th standard and continued his studies at Kendriya Vidyalaya Nasik, as his father was posted at Nasik at that time. He completed his graduation from Guru Govind Singh College Delhi in the year 2004.

Maj Amit Deswal was commissioned on 10th Jun 2006 and later joined the elite 21 Para(SF) unit in Jan 2011. He was a tough soldier and physically very fit, which was reflected in his performance at the “Ghatak Course”, where he achieved the distinction of being selected as a “Commando Dagger – Best Student”. During his service career, Maj Amit Deswal served in various challenging operational areas and proved his mettle during many assigned op tasks. After serving for sometime, he got married to Ms Neeta Bisht and the couple had a son Arjun. In Jan 2016, he got posted to Manipur and got involved in Op Hifazat II. During his tenure in Manipur, Maj Amit Deswal succeeded in eliminating the leadership of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland( NSCN) and its two major factions NSCN (K), led by Khaplang; and NSCN (I-M), led by Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muviah.

Op Hifazat (Manipur) : 13th April 2016

On 13th April 2016 at 3.30 AM the 21 Para troops launched an operation against a splinter group of Naga insurgents who were not part of a peace process with the government. The unit had received credible information from intelligence sources about the presence of militants in an area 30 km off the National Highway 36 in the heavily forested area. The assault team led by Maj Amit Deswal, reached the suspected area in Tamenglong district of Manipur and launched the operation. The team after intensive search finally spotted the militants, who opened fire at them on being challenged.

In the exchange of fire that ensued, Maj Amit Deswal killed one insurgent and seized an AK -47 gun at around 7 AM. But the other terrorists taking advantage of the forest area managed to escape. Maj Amit Deswal and his troops continued their search operation and tracked them down again at about 4 pm in the evening on the same day, about 20 km away from the highway. Maj Amit Deswal led from the front and engaged the militants in the gun battle that followed. However, in the fierce exchange of fire Maj Amit Deswal got shot twice and attained martyrdom. Maj Amit Deswal showed exemplary courage and leadership skills in carrying out the assigned mission and made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Army. For his bravery, unyielding fighting spirit, and sacrifice, Maj Amit Deswal was awarded the “Sena Medal” posthumously.

Major Amit Deswal is survived by his father Sub Major Rishi Ram Deswal(Retd),  mother Smt Vedvati Deswal, wife Smt Neeta Deswal and son Arjun. Later carrying forward the legacy of her husband, Smt Neeta Deswal joined the Indian Army and was commissioned into the Army Ordnance Corps in 2018.

The inspiring story of Major Amit Deswal's wife :

Life took a happy turn for Neeta when she got married to Major Amit Deswal. The arrival of their son Arjun added to their happiness and life seemed truly wonderful. During 2016, her husband was serving with the 21 Para battalion deployed in Manipur. But in April 2016, destiny played a cruel joke with her, when her husband was martyred during a counter-insurgency operation in Manipur as part of "Op Hifazat". The world came crashing down for her and (then) three year-old son Arjun. She was distraught, angry and terribly worried about their future. 

But she was a woman of strong will and determination. She took the tragedy in her stride and decided to take life head on. She decided to join the Army like her husband and started preparing for SSB.  With her outstanding perseverance and single minded focus, she cleared the SSB and joined the OTA Chennai barely six months after the loss of her husband. During the training at OTA, she excelled in all aspects of training and won praise from all quarters for her commitment and grit. 

At OTA, she was competing with the cadets much younger to her in age, but that did not deter her and she did very well in every aspect of training. The period was also emotionally draining for her as she hardly got time to speak to Arjun—once in four or five days, and for a few minutes. But she had resolved to win over all challenges and trauma. Eventually she passed out in 2018 from OTA, and was commissioned as a Lieutenant into the Army Ordnance Corps. It was no small feat by any stretch of imagination.  After joining the operational units too, she proved her mettle as a committed soldier and fine officer. Today Capt Neeta Deswal is not only a source of inspiration for her son but is a shining example of hope, perseverance and empowerment for countless young women of India.