Lieutenant Colonel Ajit Bhandarkar was born on 31st December 1960 to Shri U V Bhandarkar. He hailed from Bangalore. He was commissioned into 18 Madras of the Madras regiment. Later Lt Col Ajit was sent on deputation to the 25 RR Battalion, deployed in the J&K area.
| Service Number | IC 39962A |
| Place of Birth | Bangalore |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 18 Madras/ 25 RR |
| Regiment | Madras Regiment |
| Award | Shaurya Chakra |
| Date of Martyrdom | 30th October 1999 |
In October 1999, Lt Col Ajit Bhandarkar was serving with 25 RR deployed in the Poonch district of J&K. On 30th October 1999, Lt Col Ajit’s unit had received intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in Faisalabad village in Poonch district. After assessing the situation, a decision was taken to launch an operation under the leadership of Lt Col Ajit. A cordon and search operation were launched in the suspected area to eliminate five hardcore militants hiding in the village. Lt Col Ajit spotted the militants escaping towards a nullah. He immediately swung into action and while chasing shot down one militant at point-blank range. However, the second militant hiding inside the nullah fired indiscriminately and injured Lt Col Ajit grievously. Despite being injured, he moved ahead and lobbed a grenade on the militants. He then crawled forward and shot down another militant. His daredevil action resulted in the elimination of three hardcore militants. Lt Col Ajit, however later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred.
Lt Col Ajit Bhandarkar was awarded “Shaurya Chakra” posthumously.
