Vishal Bhandral, KC

Biography

Captain Vishal Bhandral was a brave Indian Army officer who made the supreme sacrifice on 26 September 2006 during a counter-insurgency operation in the Bandipora region of Jammu & Kashmir. Serving with 14 Rashtriya Rifles and belonging to 11 Garhwal Rifles, he was leading a search operation when two heavily armed terrorists suddenly attacked his team. Captain Bhandral immediately engaged the attackers and shot one terrorist at close range. He then pursued the second terrorist, who attempted to escape into a nearby grove while continuing to fire. Captain Bhandral used a grenade and moved in to close the distance. During the ensuing close-range exchange of fire, he was critically wounded but continued the fight and eliminated the second terrorist before succumbing to his injuries. Known to his friends and comrades as Blondie or Blonde Sahab, he was also an avid football and skating enthusiast and had served with dedication during his counter-terrorism tenure. Captain Vishal Bhandral was posthumously awarded the Kirti Chakra for his exceptional courage and gallantry.