Hav Gajender Singh Bisht AC

Havildar Gajender Singh Bisht was born on July 1, 1972, in Ganeshpur, a tranquil village in Uttarakhand. Son of Shri Daulat Singh, he exhibited discipline, dedication, and enthusiasm from an early age. He pursued his education at Janata Inter College, Naya Gaon, where he was recognized as an exceptional student. His teachers fondly recall him as a disciplined and driven young man who actively participated in academics, sports, and cultural programs, earning the admiration of both peers and mentors. Fueled by a deep sense of patriotism and a desire to serve the nation, Havildar Gajender Singh Bisht joined the Garhwal Rifles on December 28, 1991—a regiment celebrated for its valour and gallantry. His unwavering determination and outstanding physical endurance led him to volunteer for the 10 Para (Special Forces), one of the most elite and formidable units of the Indian Army.

Becoming a Para (SF) commando is a feat reserved for only the toughest and most dedicated soldiers, requiring rigorous training in airborne operations, counter-terrorism, and specialized combat techniques. Havildar Gajender Singh successfully completed this demanding selection process, earning the coveted maroon beret of the Special Forces, a symbol of unmatched skill, resilience, and courage. During his military career, he played a crucial role in several operations, including his active participation in the Kargil War of 1999. His contributions during the conflict were marked by unwavering bravery and strategic precision, further cementing his reputation as a fearless soldier. Owing to his exemplary service and exceptional combat skills, Havildar Gajender Singh was later deputed to the Special Action Group (SAG) of the National Security Guard (NSG)—India’s premier counter-terrorism and special operations unit. The NSG, often referred to as the "Black Cats", is an elite force entrusted with handling high-risk counter-terror operations, hostage rescue missions, and specialized security duties. His selection for this elite force was a testament to his extraordinary abilities, courage, and tactical expertise.

Operation Black Tornado: Nov 2008

On the fateful night of 26 November 2008, Mumbai was shaken by one of the most brutal terrorist attacks in India's history. Multiple locations across the city, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident Hotel, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, and Nariman House, were targeted by heavily armed terrorists, leaving the city in a state of siege. Among these locations, the Nariman House, a Jewish cultural and religious center, was stormed by terrorists, who took several innocent civilians hostage. The siege at Nariman House lasted for nearly two days, with the hostages enduring extreme trauma as the heavily armed terrorists held their position inside the building. The situation demanded immediate and decisive action to rescue the hostages and neutralize the threat. Recognizing the gravity of the crisis, the National Security Guard (NSG) was deployed to eliminate the attackers. Havildar Gajender Singh Bisht, a highly trained commando of the 51 Special Action Group (SAG) of the NSG, was part of the elite team assigned the daunting task of storming Nariman House and rescuing the hostages.

As part of the NSG assault team, Havildar Gajender Singh Bisht and his team were airdropped from a helicopter onto the roof of Nariman House. The operation was fraught with danger, as the building was heavily fortified, and the terrorists were well-armed and prepared for resistance. The commandos swiftly secured the rooftop and began their descent into the building, methodically clearing one floor at a time. With precision and tactical expertise, Hav Gajender Singh and his team successfully extricated 14 civilians, ensuring their safe evacuation to a secure location. However, the mission was far from over. The terrorists had positioned themselves strategically, preparing to ambush the advancing NSG team. Undeterred by the risk, Hav Gajender Singh moved ahead to engage the attackers. During the fierce firefight, he spotted a terrorist attempting to flee and immediately opened fire, preventing his escape. In retaliation, another terrorist hurled a grenade toward him, resulting in severe injuries. Despite being gravely wounded, he refused to back down.

Realizing that his team had gained a crucial advantage, Hav Gajender Singh pushed forward, leading from the front. He continued engaging the terrorists, ensuring that his comrades had a clear path to dominate the battle. His fearless advance under fire inspired his fellow commandos, boosting their morale in the face of extreme danger. Even as his injuries worsened, he kept firing at the terrorists until he ultimately succumbed to his wounds. His selfless bravery and unwavering determination played a pivotal role in the NSG’s success in eliminating the terrorists and securing Nariman House. For his extraordinary bravery, unyielding spirit, and supreme sacrifice, Havildar Gajender Singh Bisht was posthumously awarded India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, the "Ashok Chakra". His courage and selflessness continue to inspire generations of soldiers and civilians alike, reminding the nation of the sacrifices made by its brave warriors in the line of duty.

Hav Gajender Singh is survived by his wife Smt Vinita Devi, daughter Ms Preeti and son Shri Gaurav.

The citation for the "Ashok Chakra" awarded to him reads:

On 27/28 November 2008, Havildar Gajender Singh was leading his Squad for hostage rescue at Nariman House, Mumbai. After clearing top floor from the terrorists, he reached fourth floor of the building, where the terrorists had taken position. As he closed in the terrorists, they hurled a grenade injuring him. Undeterred, he kept firing and closing in with the terrorists displaying utmost valour. Unmindful of his injury, Havildar Gajender Singh with utmost disregard to personal safety, crawled up to the door and charged inside firing, thus exposing himself to fire. In the act, he injured one of the terrorist and forced them to retreat inside the room, thus fixing their position. Displaying indomitable spirit, he kept on firing at the terrorists in spite of being wounded till he succumbed to his injuries. This gallant act of the Commando provided the crucial breakthrough to his team for early neutralization of terrorists.

Havildar Gajender Singh displayed conspicuous courage against grave odds and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation in combating the terrorists.