Sepoy Bachittar Singh VrC

Sepoy Bachittar Singh was born on 19th March 1965 and hailed from Amritsar in Punjab. Son of Shri Karam Singh, Sepoy Bachittar Singh was recruited into the 26 Punjab of the famed Punjab Regiment on 1st August 1984. In the year 1987, Sep Bachittar Singh’s unit was sent to Sri Lanka as part of IPKF contingent.

Sri Lankan Operations : Op Pawan- 06 Nov 1987

The IPKF launched its first operation on 9 October 1987 after formulating a multi-pronged strategy to take on LTTE. Code-named Operation Op Pawan, it was expected to neutralize LTTE operational capability in and around Jaffna. This included the capture or neutralization of the LTTE’s chain of command, which was expected to leave the rebel movement directionless in the face of the impending assault on the LTTE strongholds by the IPKF. Ultimately, after two weeks of bitter fighting the IPKF wrested control of Jaffna and other major cities from the LTTE, but operations continued for the capture of Jaffna Fort.

On the 6th November 1987, a patrol party of  26 Punjab was tasked to clear the road from Trincomalee to Nilaveli. Sepoy Bachittar Singh was part of the patrol team which was assigned that task. As most of the approach roads were heavily mined and laid with booby traps, their clearance was very crucial before any advance could take place. As the patrol party was engaged in the given task, the militants mounted a surprise attack with automatic weapons. Sepoy Bachittar Singh was hit by a burst of Light Machine gun.

However, unmindful of his injury, he charged at the militants in a daredevil action. Sepoy Bachittar Singh fired at the militants and bayoneted, killing one of them. It was a pre-planned attack by the militants occupying vantage points. The party was also attacked by grenades and one of them fell very close to Sepoy Bachittar Singh, which proved fatal for him. Sepoy Bachittar Singh was martyred but his raw courage and daredevilry motivated his comrades to take on the militants with double vigour. In the ensuing battle with militants the troops killed three militants, including the leader of the ambush party.

Sepoy Bachittar Singh was awarded “Vir Chakra”, for his exceptional courage, unyielding fighting spirit and supreme sacrifice.