Major Baljit Singh Randhawa MVC

Major Baljit Singh Randhawa hailed from Isapur village in the Amritsar district of Punjab and was born on 11 November 1934. Son of Shri R S Randhawa, Maj Baljit Singh was commissioned into 4 Rajput of the famed Rajput regiment known for its valour and various battle honours. He was commissioned on 14 Dec 1958 and by 1965, Maj Baljit had put in about 7 years of service and had evolved into a fine officer and a committed soldier.

Kargil Operation : 17 May 1965

During the year 1965, Major Baljit Singh Randhawa’s unit was deployed in the Kargil sector of J & K. Though the Indo-Pak war actually commenced on 01 Sep 1965, when Pakistani forces attacked the Chhamb sector, the border tensions were running high months before that resulting into numerous border skirmishes along the LOC. On 17 May 1965, the company commanded by Maj Baljit was tasked to attack an enemy position in the Kargil sector. Maj Baljit Singh swung into action and along with his troops attacked the strongly held Position at 0200 hrs on 17 May 1965. Since the position was heavily guarded, the company came under heavy mortar, light machine gun, and small arms fire. Undeterred, Major Baljit Singh led his troops from the front and succeeded in capturing the peak of the feature.

However, the company had to advance further and a light machine gun post was holding up the advance. Major Baljit Singh realized that the LMG post needed to be neutralized to prevent attrition of own troops and continue further advance. Without caring for his own safety, Major Baljit Singh attacked the LMG post in a daredevil action. While doing so, Major Baljit Singh got hit by enemy fire and got wounded seriously. Despite his injury, he kept on encouraging his men to move forward and did not allow his comrades to attend to him. He later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred in a rare display of courage and self-sacrifice.

Major Baljit Singh Randhawa displayed raw courage, indomitable spirit, and leadership while carrying out his duty and was awarded “Maha Vir Chakra” for this gallant act.

The citation for the Maha Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:

A company of the Rajput Regiment in the Kargil Sector, commanded by Major Baljit Singh Randhawa, attacked a strongly held position at 0200 hours on 17 May 1965. The company came under heavy mortar, light machine gun and small arms fire. Without regard for his own safety, Major Randhawa led his handful of men and succeeded in capturing the peak of the feature. While trying to destroy a light machine gun post, which was holding up further advance, he was hit by enemy fire and fell. Even thereafter, he kept on encouraging his men to move forward. In order that the advance may not be delayed, he did not allow his men to attend to him and thus laid down his life to fulfill his task. In this action, Major B.S. Randhawa displayed exemplary courage, leadership and self-sacrifice in the best traditions of the Indian Army.