IPKF Diaries – 2

In memory of Havildar Ajit Singh Vir Chakra (P) Sena Medal

IPKF Diaries is a collection of articles written specially and specifically about the bravehearts/ heroes that fought in Sri Lanka as part of Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF).  

Difficult terrain, hot and humid weather conditions, scarcity of something as basic as drinking water (resorting to drinking ‘kulam’ water after filtering it through cloth) are just ‘some’ of the difficulties that our troops faced during their tenure in Sri Lanka. If Kargil was fight against the odds with the enemy perched conveniently at unscalable heights, Op Pawan in Sri Lanka was a challenge of another kind. It is imperative then to mention more about the heroic deeds of our men who were part of the IPKF.

A blog like this which may have information that is already available in the form of a book is just an attempt to bridge the gap between the general public and source of information. This is because not everybody is able to or loves to read books, whereas scrolling on social media is comparatively easier and doable.

This is my second piece is this endeavour and is about Havildar Ajit Singh Vir Chakra (P) Sena Medal, 10 Para SF, who became the first one from his village to be decorated with a Vir Chakra.

My earlier piece was about Subedar Moda Ram Birda Sena Medal 10 Para SF.

Ajit Singh was born on 7^th Jan 1952 in Punsika Village, Rewari District, Haryana. Ajit Singh was a second-generation soldier. His father Dalip Singh Yadav was an ex-serviceman too. Ajit had done his schooling till matriculation from B S Ahir High School, Rewari. He got recruited into Parachute Regiment on July 6, 1972 at the age of 20 years.

After successful completion of training, he became a part of 10 Para, also known as the Desert Scorpions. On 28 Aug 1989, as part of IPKF, Havildar Ajit’s Unit too was tasked to undertake a search and destroy operation along the Alampil- Mullaitivu road. Havildar Ajit Singh was one of the squad commanders and their troop commander flanked their squad with a rocket launcher to cover movement of these troops. The troops soon came under heavy fire of small arms and rockets from LTTE militants.

Havildar Ajit Singh returned the fire, quickly assessed the situation and deployed his squad to bring down continuous and effective fire on the militants. This counter attack diverted the attention of the LTTE thereby reducing the fire. During the ensuing gunfight, a rocket launcher detachment paratrooper was wounded and the detachment commander had been killed.

Consequently, Havildar Ajit took the task upon himself and picking up the launcher, continued firing it till the militants fled. In the process, Hav Ajit himself was hit in the chest and succumbed to the gun shots immediately.

He was awarded with a Vir Chakra posthumously for his conspicuous courage, valour in action and supreme sacrifice.

This act of valour may not come as a surprise to those closely associated with Havildar Ajit as he had earlier also been decorated with a Sena Medal. He was a part of the team that accompanied Lt Col Dalvir Singh, to provide rescue and extricate the Commandos’ team, which had been involved in the Jaffna Heli Drop operation but had been heavily outnumbered by the LTTE. This was the same operation for which Lt Col Dalvir was decorated with a Vir Chakra.

Before leaving for Sri Lanka, Havildar Ajit met his uncle, a retired Army Capt, Capt Jagdev Singh. He was in his commando uniform and had gone to seek the elder relative’s blessings. Capt Jagdev had casually mentioned to him that though the Fauji’s of Punsika had participated in almost all the wars, but the village had not yet got any Vir Chakra. To this, Havildar Ajit replied very politely that this time a Vir Chakra too would come to the village.

The Vir Chakra came but without the Veer.

Havildar Ajit Singh Vrc SM lives on in the form of a statue in the Jodhpur Military Station. The first Vir Chakra awardee from Punsika, Rewari is an inspiration for many more Ahirs.

While every act of bravery gets mentioned in the War Diary of the Paltan, every braveheart has a place in the War Memorial but not every hero’s story is known.

Many untold tales. Many unknown Heroes.

Jai Hind!

https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/haryanatribune/news-detail-691567