Vir Chakra (VrC)

On 6 November 1987, Sepoy Bachittar Singh of 26th Battalion, Punjab Regiment, was detailed to form part of the patrol responsible for opening clearing of Road Trincomalee-Nilaveli up to Troposcatter. When the patrol reached the wooden bridge at 0645 hours, it was ambushed by approximately 25 militants. Sepoy Bachittar Singh was hit by a burst of light machine gun fire. With disregard to personal safety, and unmindful of his injury, Sepoy Bachittar Singh immediately charged the militants. He was fired upon at point blank range and was hit in the stomach by a burst of light machine gun. Though seriously injured and bleeding profusely, he fired at the militants and bayoneted them, lulling one of them. As he was charging a party of the enemy, a militant threw a hand grenade at him. The grenade burst close to Sepoy Bachittar Singh and killed him. His daring action inspired other patrol members. Three militants, including the leader of the ambush party, were killed in a counter ambush.

Sepoy Bachittar Singh displayed exceptional courage, initiative and dedication to duty, true to the traditions of the Indian Army. He went beyond the call of the duty, in assaulting the militants, even after having been seriously wounded.