Vir Chakra (VrC)

Lieutenant Colonel Bhartruhari Trimbak Pandit was commanding an engineer regiment during the offensive operations in an area in Western Sector from 5 to 17 December 1971. These operations were undertaken in terrain totally devoid of any road communication network and interspersed with natural and artificial obstacles, which posed serious problems for the movement of fighting formations. The engineer support involved the breaching of two deep minefields, construction of roads and tracks and the crossing of the Basantar River. All these tasks were carried out in the face of stiff enemy opposition and heavy shelling. Lieutenant Colonel Pandit inspired his command by his presence and undeterred by enemy shelling and small arms fire went from one engineer party to the other infusing a sense of urgency. It was largely due to his effort that sufficient armours and supporting arms could cross the obstacle in the bridgehead to meet the enemy counter-attacks.

Throughout the operations, Lieutenant Colonel Pandit displayed gallantry, professional skill and leadership of a high order.