Colonel Vijay Kumar Bakshi was born on 3rd April 1943, to Shri SB Balmokand Bakshi in the Jalandhar district of Punjab. He completed his schooling at Delhi United Christian School and then graduated from Ramjas College, New Delhi. He got commissioned on 25th December 1965, into the 6/8 GR of 8 Gorkha Rifles Regiment. During 1989, Colonel Bakshi was functioning as the Commanding Officer of 6/8 GR which was sent to Sri Lanka as a part of the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF).
| Service Number | IC-16709 |
| Place of Birth | Jalandhar |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Unit | 6/8 GR |
| Regiment | 8 Gorkha Rifles |
| Award | Maha Vir Chakra |
| Date of Martyrdom | 2nd March 1989 |
Indian Peacekeeping Force was inducted in Sri Lanka after the Indo-Sri Lanka accord in the year 1987. The militants were to surrender after the induction of IPKF but LTTE backed out and an unleased war against Indian forces. By March 1989, Indian forces had undertaken various operations against LTTE but the war was far from over. 6/8 GR battalion commanded by Colonel Vijay Bakshi was inducted into Sri Lanka as a part of IPKF.
On 2nd March 1989, troops of the 6/8 GR battalion planned a search and destroy operation in the Wani sector due to the presence of LTTE militants, based on the intelligence information. Colonel Bakshi was leading the team. The troops encountered the militants in the area of Nayaroo Lagoon in the Wani sector. Heavy exchange of fire took place between the two sides. However, during this Colonel Bakshi got hit by bullets. He kept fighting the militants despite his severe injury. And later the valiant officer succumbed to his bullet injuries.
Colonel Bakshi was given the nation’s second-highest gallantry award ‘Maha Vir Chakra’ posthumously for displaying great leadership and bravery on the battlefield.
