Vir Chakra (VrC)

During 'Operation Vijay' on 30 May 1999, Havildar Tsewang Rigzin was tasked to move up on the ridge line on the Line of Control in the glaciated area at 5,500 meter, to pre-empt enemy occupation and infiltration. While negotiating an ice wall of 80 degree gradient, his Section came under effective fire of an enemy ambush. In the ensuing hand-to-hand fight and at a grave risk to his life, Havildar Tsewang Rigzin exposed himself and charged on to the enemy. He was suddenly hit by the enemy fire from the vantage point. Despite being badly injured he was able to kill two enemy soldiers and in the process laid down his life.

On an earlier occasion, on 12 December 1998, Havildar Tsewang Rigzin was responsible for the success of surveillance patrol at point 5608 on which many previous attempts had failed. He toiled for more than six hours to climb the sheer cliff enabling other members of the patrol to reach the top.

Havildar Tsewang Rigzin has displayed unflinching devotion to duty and played a pivotal role in pre-empting the enemy occupation and subsequent infiltration across the Line of control with utter disregard to his personal safety.