Sepoy Ramesh Baban Shinde

Born into a humble yet patriotic family, Sepoy Ramesh Baban Shinde harboured a deep sense of duty from a young age. After completing his schooling, he made the life-altering decision to join the Indian Army, answering the call of duty with unwavering commitment. His journey led him to the Army Service Corps (ASC), the logistic supply arm of the Indian Army. The ASC plays a critical role in sustaining military operations by ensuring the seamless movement of troops, equipment, and supplies. As a soldier of this elite corps, Sepoy Shinde quickly mastered the art of tactical mobility, convoy operations, and battlefield logistics, which would later prove invaluable in high-risk conflict zones.

By the late 1980s, the Sri Lankan civil war had escalated into a brutal conflict, drawing India into the turmoil. The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was deployed in August 1987 under the assumption that Tamil militant groups, particularly the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), would disarm peacefully. However, the LTTE refused to surrender and launched a full-scale insurgency against Indian forces, leading to intense and prolonged combat. As the conflict deepened, Sepoy Shinde’s unit was assigned to support the war effort, ensuring the supply of food, ammunition, and medical aid to troops engaged in fierce battles across Sri Lanka. By 1989, the IPKF had already conducted numerous counter-insurgency operations, yet the LTTE remained a formidable enemy, employing guerilla tactics, surprise ambushes, and deadly IED (Improvised Explosive Device) attacks.

Op Pawan: 24 Mar 1989

On 24 March 1989, Sepoy Ramesh Baban Shinde was part of a crucial convoy escort mission led by Maj Uttam Chand Katoch and Maj Suresh Harsha near Trincomalee, a strategic coastal region in Sri Lanka. The convoy carried essential supplies and personnel, moving through hostile terrain where LTTE militants were known to stage ambushes. Aware of the dangers, Sepoy Shinde and his comrades remained highly alert, scanning the surroundings for any suspicious activity. However, as their convoy passed a seemingly abandoned bicycle propped against a tree, a remote-detonated IED exploded with devastating force. The impact of the explosion threw Maj Harsha from the jeep, while Maj Katoch and the driver were instantly engulfed in flames. Despite sustaining severe injuries from the blast, Sepoy Ramesh Shinde did not hesitate. As LTTE militants opened fire from concealed positions, attempting to overrun the convoy, he immediately took defensive action, shielding his wounded comrades and returning fire.

Instead of seeking cover, Sepoy Shinde positioned himself in the direct line of attack, drawing enemy fire away from his injured officers. His courageous stand allowed other soldiers to regroup and launch a counterattack. For over 45 minutes, he held his ground, ensuring that the convoy was not overrun. Despite his worsening injuries, he continued to fire till his last breath, preventing the militants from advancing. His extraordinary bravery and sacrifice allowed his unit to repel the attack, saving numerous lives in the process. By the time reinforcements arrived, the ambush had been thwarted, but at a great cost. Sepoy Ramesh Baban Shinde, along with Maj Uttam Chand Katoch and Maj Suresh Harsha, had laid down their lives in the line of duty. His indomitable spirit, selflessness, and devotion to his comrades embodied the highest ideals of the Indian Army.