Hav Ajit Singh VrC SM

Hav Ajit Singh, Born on 7th January 1952 hailed from Punsika village in Rewari district of Haryana. Son of Shri Dalip Singh, Hav Ajit Singh joined the Army on 6th July 1972 at the age of 20 years. He was inducted into the Parachute Regiment, the elite regiment of the army trained for special operations. Later he became part of 10 Para(SF), specially trained for desert warfare and known as, “Desert Scorpions”.

By 1989, Hav Ajit Singh had put in about 17 years of service and had gained experience in working in diverse operational environments with challenging terrain and conditions. During the IPKF operations, Hav Ajit Singh’s unit was sent to Sri Lanka to undertake operations against the LTTE.

Sri Lankan Operations(Op Pawan) –  28 Aug 1989

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 August 1989, Indian forces had undertaken numerous operations against LTTE but the war was far from over.  Hav Ajit Singh’s unit, 10 Para, was involved in Operation Pawan and was tasked with one such operation on 28 Aug 1989. This was part of the planned air assault by 10 Para(SF) into the coastal swamps around Mullaitivu district. Hav Ajit Singh was one of the Squad commanders of  3 Troop of Alfa Assault Team of 10 Para Commandos. The task assigned to 3 Troop was to carry out a search and destroy mission along the Alampil – Mullaitivu road. The troop commander of the number 3 Troop deployed Havaldar Ajit Singh’s Squad with a rocket launcher on the flank to cover the move of the Troop.

While the team was moving towards the given objective it came under fire from small arms and rockets. Hav Ajit Singh swung into action immediately and returned the fire. However, assessing that the strength and position of the militants were formidable, he quickly redeployed his troops to encircle the militants who had ambushed them. Hav Ajit Singh then led his squad to bring down continuous and effective fire on the militants. This tactic diverted the attention of the militants and reduced the weight of fire on other soldiers. In the ensuing, exchange of fire, a rocket launcher detachment paratrooper was wounded and a rocket launcher detachment commander was killed.

Realizing the gravity of the situation and rising to the occasion Hav Ajit Singh himself picked up the rocket launcher and commenced firing. In the process, Hav Ajit Singh also received a bullet in the chest and was martyred. He showed conspicuous courage and commitment and laid down his life in the service of the nation. Hav Ajit Singh who was already a Sena Medal awardee was given the gallantry award, “Vir Chakra” for his gallantry, unyielding fighting spirit, and supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Army.