MR Bhasha

Biography

Sapper MR Bhasha served with the 18 Engineer Regiment of the Corps of Engineers, one of the oldest arms of the Indian Army. Combat engineers provide mobility to their own forces by constructing bridges, tracks and helipads, while denying the same to the enemy through obstacles such as minefields and demolitions. His unit was recognised for its expertise in constructing bridges and tracks and was equipped with the men and material required for such demanding tasks. During 2005, Sapper Bhasha was serving with the 18 Engineer Regiment. In June 2005, the Indian Army was tasked to reconstruct four bridges at Kharo, Khab, Leo and Akpa which had been washed away in the floods of Parechu lake. These crossings formed vital links to the upper areas of Pooh, Sumdo, Spiti and other regions of the Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh. In September 2005, his team was assigned to reconstruct the bridge at Kharo, located on National Highway 22, the Hindustan-Tibet Road that served as a lifeline for these remote districts. On 08 September 2005, Sapper Bhasha and forty other soldiers, under the command of Lt Col Amardeep Singh, began the operation after carefully assessing the site. The 80-tonne, 60-metre Bailey bridge was launched successfully, and the men then began fixing the wooden slabs onto the iron beams. While this work was underway, the bridge suddenly collapsed from the centre, possibly due to a technical fault, casting the soldiers into the Sutlej river below. Despite an extensive rescue effort across deep gorges and rapid currents, Sapper Bhasha was among the thirty-four soldiers who lost their lives. He laid down his life in the line of duty.