Col Vijay Kumar Bakshi MVC

Colonel Vijay Kumar Bakshi hailed from Jalandhar district of Punjab and was born on 03 April 1943. Son of Shri Balmokand Bakshi, Col Bakshi completed his schooling at Delhi United Christian School and then graduated from Ramjas College, New Delhi. Soon after his graduation, he got selected to join the Army at the age of 22 years. He was commissioned on 25th Dec 1965, into the 6/8 GR of 8 Gorkha Rifles Regiment, one of the most celebrated regiments of the Indian Army, known for its fearless soldiers and producing one of the greatest soldiers of the Indian Army, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw.

By 1989, Col Bakshi had put in over two decades of service in the Army and had served in various operational areas during this period, and had been promoted to the rank of a Colonel. During 1989, Col Bakshi was functioning as the Commanding Officer of 6/8 GR which was sent to Sri Lanka as part of IPKF. Col Bakshi had gained the reputation of a committed soldier and a fine officer who always led from the front like a true military leader.

Operation Pawan: 02 Mar 1989

After the Indo-Sri Lanka accord was signed in July 1987, the Indian Peace Keeping Force was inducted in Sri Lanka. After the induction of Indian forces in Aug 1987, the militants were supposed to surrender but the dreaded LTTE backed out and unleashed war on Indian forces. Initially, only 54 division of the Army was inducted but the escalation of the operations brought three more divisions 3, 4, and 57 into the conflict. By Mar 1989, Indian forces had undertaken numerous operations against LTTE but the war was far from over. 6/8 Gorkha Rifles battalion, commanded by Col Vijay Kumar Bakshi, was inducted into Sri Lanka as part of IPKF and got involved in the operations right after its induction.

Based on the intelligence reports about the presence of LTTE militants in the Wani sector, the security forces planned a search and destroy operation on 02 Mar 1989 by the troops of the 6/8 GR battalion. Considering the critical importance of the operation, Col Bakshi decided to lead the operation himself. As the troops were on their way to the suspected area, they encountered a militants’ camp in the area of Nayaroo Lagoon in the Wani Sector (Sri Lanka). This contact, which started as an exchange of fire, with militants firing from multiple directions, turned into a prolonged engagement, lasting over twenty-four hours. However, during the heavy exchange of fire, Col Bakshi got hit by bullets and was injured. Unnerved, Col Bakshi refused to break contact with the militants and continued to press forward. He ensured relentless pressure on the militants, causing heavy damage and casualties on them. Subsequently, Col Bakshi succumbed to his injuries and was martyred.

Col Bakshi displayed conspicuous courage, determination, and leadership of a very high order during the operation. For his rare courage, grit, resoluteness, and supreme sacrifice, Col Vijay Kumar Bakshi was posthumously given the nation’s second-highest gallantry award, “Maha Vir Chakra”.