Subedar Bhanwar Lal Bhakar hailed from Thebari village in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan and was born on 25 Dec 1956. Son of Shri Bhura Ram and Smt Choonki Devi, after completing his school education, Sub Bhanwar Lal joined  the Indian Army after on 15 May 1976 at the age of 20 years. He was recruited into 2 Raj Rif battalion of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its brave soldiers and numerous battle honours. After serving for some time, he got married to Ms Gogo Devi and the couple was blessed with a son Tiloka Ram. By 1999, he had served with his unit in various operational areas with challenging working conditions and had been promoted to the rank of Subedar.

Battle of Tololing (Kargil War): June 1999

Shortly after the signing of the Lahore declaration in 1999, the Pakistan Army surreptitiously occupied the winter vacated posts of the Indian Army. On 03 May 1999, these intrusions were detected and on 26 May 1999, the first air-to-ground strike was launched by the Indian Airforce (IAF), followed by Operation Vijay, by the Indian Army to evict the intruders from the Indian areas. The army quickly mobilized its forces to drive out the Pakistani infiltrators from Indian territory. Bhanwar Lal's 2 Raj Rif battalion, under the command of Lt Col MB Ravindranath, which was part of 81 Mountain Brigade in the Lolab valley was inducted into the Drass area on 04 June 1999. The battalion was functioning under the command of 56 Mtn Bde, with overall operational control being exercised by 8 Mtn Div under Maj Gen Mohinder Puri. The Tololing Heights was the deepest penetration beyond the LC by the Pakistani intruders. Tololing and another feature named Point 4590 were among the vital peaks for India, as they overlooked the Drass sector and a large section of the National Highway.  The task of capturing the Tololing feature was assigned to 56 Mtn Bde. The Tololing feature comprised Pt 4590, Tololing Top, South East Spur, South Spur, and Hump to its north. Pt 4590 and Tololing Top dominated all the approaches leading to it. As per the plan of attack of 56 Mtn Bde, 2 Raj Rif was tasked to capture the Tololing top by 0600 Hr on 13 June 1999. 18 Garh Rif battalion was to capture Pt 5140 by 0700 hrs on 13 June. Two companies of 18 Grenadiers were to provide a firm base and the balance of the battalion was to act as reserve to 2 Raj Rif.  

When the battalion launched the attack on 12 June 1999 at 2030 hrs, Major Vivek Gupta was in command of the leading 'Charlie' Company. Despite heavy artillery and automatic fire, the unit under Major Vivek Gupta's inspiring leadership was able to close in with the enemy.  As they closed in with the objective, the enemy brought down heavy fire on them. The leading section of Sub Bhanwar Lal's platoon suffered three casualties and the attack was stalled temporarily. At this juncture, Sub Bhanwar Lal took the lead and kept motivating his section to move ahead. About 50 meters away from the enemy positions, he got a burst of light machine gunfire. Unmindful of his injuries, he moved ahead with his men and continued to do so till he succumbed to his injuries at the base of the enemy position. Besides Sub Bhanwar Lal, one officer, one JCO (Junior Commissioned Officers), and six other soldiers of 2 Raj Rif were martyred during the operation. The other martyred brave hearts included their leader Major Vivek Gupta, Sub Sumer Singh Rathore, CHM Yashvir Singh Tomar, Hav Sultan Singh Narwaria, Nk Surendra Singh, Nk Chaman Singh, Rfn Bachan Singh, and Rfn Jasvir Singh.  Sub Bhawar Lal who displayed inspiring leadership, bravery and made the supreme sacrifice during the capture of Tololing Top was given the gallantry award, "Vir Chakra” posthumously.

Sub Bhanwar Lal Bhakar is survived by his father Shri Bhura Ram Bhakar, mother Smt Choonki Devi, wife Smt Gogo Devi, son Shri Tiloka Ram, and brother Shri Manrupa Ram Bhakar.

• The Government has allotted a petrol pump to the family of Sub Bhanwar Lal Bhakar.
• A memorial of Sub Bhanwar Lal Bhakar has been constructed in Thebari village in Nagaur district of Rajasthan.

Citation of the "Vir Chakra" awarded to him reads:-

On night 12-13 June 99 during OPERATION VUIAY, Subedar Bhanwar Lal was leading his platoon to capture Tololing Top in the Drass Sector. As they closed in with the objective, enemy brought down heavy fire on them. ‘The leading section of his platoon suffered three casualties ‘and the attack was stalled temporarily. At this juncture, Subedar Bhanwar Lal took the lead and kept exhorting his section to move ahead. $0 meters short of the enemy positions, he got a burst of Light Machine Gun fire. Unmindful of his injuries, te moved ahead with his men and continued to do so till he succumbed to his injuries at the base of the ‘enemy position. ‘The enthused section could destroy the enemy position only due to the excellent leadership of Subedar Bhanwar Lal.

Subedar Bhanwar Lal displayed inspiring leadership and bravery and made the supreme sacrifice for capturing Tololing Top.