Havaldar Gajender Singh

Havildar
Gajender Singh Bisht
AC
Born Dehradun
Died 28 November 2008(2008-11-28)
Mumbai, Maharashtra
Allegiance India India
Service/branch Indian Army
Years of service 1990–2008
Rank Havildar
Unit 51 SAG, NSG
Parachute Regiment
Battles/wars Operation Black Tornado
Awards Ashoka Chakra

Gajender Singh Bisht (1972 – 28 November 2008) was an NSG commando and havildar (sergeant) who died during the 2008 Mumbai attacks. His act of bravery was honoured with the Ashoka Chakra award by the President of India on 26 January 2009, India's Republic Day.[1]

Childhood

Hailing from Ganeshpur in Uttarakhand, young Gajender Singh studied at the Janata Inter College in Naya Gaon. He was remembered by his teachers as a disciplined student who participated in every event organised in the school, be it sports or cultural activities. He had a particular interest in boxing.[2]

Operation Black Tornado

Gajender Singh was a member of the National Security Guard’s 51 Special Action Group. Gajender Singh was part of the team of NSG commandos who were fast-roped on the roof of Nariman House in an operation to neutralize the terrorists inside who were holding at least six hostages.

According to Jyoti Krishna Dutt, Director General of the NSG, Singh was leading one of the teams that entered the building. The team came under intense fire from the terrorists and returned fire, while trying to dominate the situation. The terrorists also hurled a few grenades at the commandos. At this point, Singh had the option of retreating with his team. However, he realized that they had to seize this opportunity to dominate and continued moving ahead. He didn't turn his back to the militants and created a way for the other commandos despite a grenade thrown at him. Despite sustaining multiple bullet injuries while doing so, he moved forward and ultimately succumbed to his injuries, making the supreme sacrifice. This selfless and brave gesture of his ensured that his team secured a dominating position in the encounter.[3]

Death

While securing the Nariman House during Operation Black Tornado, Singh, a member of the Parachute Regiment was fatally wounded while storming the Jewish center.

Ashoka Chakra Award Citation

The official citation for the Ashoka Chakra Award reads:

4073611 HAVILDAR GAJENDER SINGH PARACHUTE REGIMENT / 51 SPECIAL ACTION GROUP (POSTHUMOUS)

In the night of 27th November 2008, Havildar Gajender Singh was leading his squad in the operation to rescue hostages from the terrorists at Nariman House, Mumbai.

After clearing the top floor of the terrorists, he reached the place where the terrorists had taken position. As he closed in, the terrorists hurled a grenade injuring him. Undeterred, he kept firing and closing in on the terrorists by exposing himself to the hostile fire. In the act, he injured one of the terrorists and forced the others to retreat inside a room. He continued the encounter till he succumbed to his injuries.

Havildar Gajender Singh displayed most conspicuous courage against grave odds and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation in combating the terrorists.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "11 security personnel to get Ashok Chakra". Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  2. ↑ "'He had always wanted to die a hero's death'". Retrieved 2009-01-27. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  3. ↑ "Slain NSG commando paid tributes at special ceremony in Delhi". Retrieved 2009-01-27.
  4. ↑ Ashoka Chakra awardees and their saga of gallantry, Press Information Bureau, Government of India, 25 January 2009, retrieved 14 September 2014
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