Bikramjeet Singh, SC

Biography

Lieutenant Colonel Bikramjeet Singh was born in Chandigarh, Punjab. The son of Army veteran Major Paramjit Singh, he completed his graduation from MLN College, Ambala. Drawn to the armed forces from childhood, he followed in his father's footsteps and joined the Indian Military Academy, passing out in 1998 to be commissioned into the 16 Armoured Regiment. By 2013 he had completed nearly 14 years of service across various operational areas. In September 2016 his unit was deployed in the troubled Samba district of Jammu & Kashmir. On 26 September 2016, heavily armed terrorists attacked the officers' mess complex of his unit. Around 7:10 am, hearing gunfire near the complex, Lieutenant Colonel Bikramjeet rushed to the scene. He spotted a terrorist firing from a drain and attempting to move towards the adjacent family accommodation. Despite the presence of several armed terrorists, he moved from position to position, shouting and directing action. His swift, fearless response forced the terrorist out of an effective firing position and into a room where he was eventually eliminated, preventing the attackers from reaching the officers' married accommodation complex. While moving between positions he exposed himself and was struck in the abdomen, making the supreme sacrifice. For his exemplary courage and leadership he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra.