Major Vivek Singh Bhandral was born on 16th January 1970 and hailed from Himachal Pradesh. He joined the army and was commissioned into the Parachute Regiment. In 2002, Major Vivek Singh Bhandral’s unit was deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations.
| Service Number | IC-51787M |
| Place of Birth | Himachal Pradesh |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 21 Para (SF) |
| Regiment | Parachute Regiment |
| Award | Sena Medal |
| Martyrdom | 29th August 2002 |
On 29th August 2002, a search operation led by Major Vivek Singh Bhandral was launched. Major Vivek was tasked with the operation, based on the information received from the intelligence sources about the presence of terrorists in a village in Kupwara district. The team as planned reached the suspected area and launched a search and cordon operation. As the operation was underway at around 1200 hours, two terrorists charged out from a house firing indiscriminately at the troops in an attempt to break the cordon and flee. In a swift response, Major Vivek swung into action and shot dead one terrorist. In the meantime, the second terrorist jumped into a grove and started firing back at Major Vivek. Displaying commendable courage and field-craft skills Major Vivek took on the second terrorist too and lobbed a grenade. However, while closing in, a machine gun burst injured Major Vivek severely. But despite his injury and incessant bleeding, Major Vivek in a show of rare grit and determination leaped forward and eliminated the second terrorist. However, Major Vivek later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred.
He was given the gallantry award ‘Sena Medal’, posthumously for his outstanding courage and supreme sacrifice.
