Service No: IC-16165
Date of Birth: May 05, 1945
Place of Birth: West Bengal
Service: Army
Last Rank: Major
UNIT: 15 Rajput
Arm/Regt: The Rajput Regiment
Operation : Op Cactus Lily
Date of Martyrdom : Dec 13, 1971
Major Lalit Mohan Bhatia VrC
Major Lalit Mohan Bhatia was born on 5th May 1945, in Calcutta, West Bengal. Son of Mr P N Bhatia, Maj Lalit Mohan Bhatia was commissioned into 15 Rajput of the famed Rajput Regiment, a regiment known for its gallantry and various battle honours. During 1971 Indo-Pak war, Maj Bhatia’s unit was deployed in Fazilka sector in Punjab.
Indo-Pak War : 13 Dec 1971
During Dec 1971, Maj Lalit Mohan Bhatia’s unit was deployed in Punjab in the Fazilka sector. On the night of 13th December 1971, Major Bhatia’s unit was given the task of capturing a Pakistani outpost in the Fazika Sector. Major Bhatia was assigned that vital task, who immediately swung into action along with his company troops. Major Bhatia using his field craft skills tactically moved his company towards the objective. However as the post was very critical for the enemy, it was heavily defended.
As Major Bhatia moved closer in a tactical move, his troops came under fire from enemy light and heavy automatic weapons. Undeterred by the enemy fire , Major Bhatia led his troops from the front and gave a befitting reply. He realized that an enemy LMG post was seriously threatening the advance of his troops and needed to be silenced at any cost. Major Bhatia decided to lead the charge at the LMG bunker himself and attacked it with all his might. He killed two enemy soldiers and finally succeeded in neutralizing the LMG bunker. He even had to engage in a hand to hand fight during the process.
However, Major Bhatia got seriously injured during the hand to hand combat and later succumbed to his injuries. Major Bhatia was martyred but his raw courage and exceptional leadership motivated his troops to carry on with the mission with double vigour. His men in a daring action attacked the enemy troops and succeeded in capturing two enemy tanks. They also recovered a large quantity of arms and ammunition and captured Pakistani soldiers as prisoners including two officers.
Maj Lalit Mohan Bhatia was given the gallantry award, “Vir Chakra” for his outstanding courage, unyielding fighting spirit and supreme sacrifice.
The citation of Vir Chakra awarded to him reads:
On the night of the 13th/14th December 1971, Major Lalit Mohan Bhatia, who was serving with a Battalion of the Rajput Regiment, was given the task of capturing the Pakistani outpost in the Fazika Sector. As he maneuvered his company on to the objective, it came under cross fire of light and heavy automatic weapons. Undeterred, he led the charge, bayoneted two Pakistanis and silenced the light machine gun bunker. In hand to hand fight, he received fatal injuries due to enemy bayonets. His personal example inspired his company to victory capturing two enemy tanks and a large quantity of arms and ammunition, equipment and prisoners including two officers.
In this action, Major Bhatia displayed gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty of a high order.
- The road from Amritsar to Batala has been named after Major Lalit Mohan Bhatia in his honour.
- Amritsar city has erected a statue of Major Lalit Mohan Bhatia in his honour at Ram Bagh which was unveiled by Gen O P Malhotra, the then Chief of Army Staff.
- A Gas Agency at Ratlam and a house in Delhi have also been named after Major Lalit Mohan Bhatia .
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Source
- http://gallantryawards.gov.in/awardees-0
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Ashok Kumar
2017 at 2:56 pmMy deepest respects to your family.
Shashi
2017 at 11:30 amSalute to the brave heart…
JAI HIND….
Valsan Kunnath
2017 at 2:32 pmBig Salute to the Brave Son of Bharath Major Lalit Mohan Bhatia Vir Chakara
“Duty beyond Death” “Soldiers go beyond call of Duty”
You will always be Saluted for your Patriotism,Indomitable Courage and Supreme Sacrifice to the Motherland.
JAI HIND…..VANDE MATHARAM
हितेश मिश्र
2018 at 10:58 pmजय हिन्द………………………………
Lalit Srivastava
2019 at 1:09 pmHe was such a great friend that three of his friends kept their sons names Lalit. I am one of them.
Just the thought of being associated with him makes me feel so proud.
Some will always have you in their thoughts uncle.
Jai Hind !
Ashok Kumar Singh Bhatia
2019 at 5:02 pmI had known Major LM for last many decades,being almost a family member.
Happened to meet him once in a family function and was greatly impressed by his sense of humour and presence of mind.He was a very dear and lovely person.Truly a gentleman officer.
My heartiest tributes to this brave soldier,a pride for the country.
Girija Sapra
2019 at 5:03 pmHeart touching memories. His life a great inspiration.
Raman Bhatia
2019 at 7:29 pmMy only Mama,my friend and loving guide.
His memory is perpetually etched in our hearts and mind. A brave soldier, caring son,doting brother and a noble gentleman.
God bless his soul.
Raman( Bonny) Bhatia
Raman Bhatia
2023 at 4:59 pmWe remember him with the same love, regard and admiration as we had for him 52 years ago on his martyrdom. Long live his memory. Long live his 15 Rajput Regiment. May he remain in our hearts forever.