Inder Bal Singh Bawa

Lieutenant Colonel Inderbal Singh Bawa, was an Indian Army officer who was killed in action in Operation Pawan. He posthumously received the Maha Vir Chakra award for gallantry.

Early life and education Bawa was born in Lucknow on 25 May 1947 to Dr. HS Bawa. He completed his education from DAV Higher Secondary School, Shimla. Later he joined Indian Military Academy.

Military career Bawa was commissioned in the 5 Gorkha Regiment on 11 June 1967. As a young officer, he took part in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

Bawa was deployed to Sri Lanka to take part in Operation Pawan. Upon getting deployed, he quickly joined the battle and led his unit from the front. His unit had cleared LTTE hideouts at several places of Northern Sri Lanka.

On 13 October 1987, Bawa's unit was assigned the task to safely rescue trapped soldiers of 13 Sikh Light Infantry and 10 Para Commando SF stuck at Kondavil. Bawa led his unit to join the mission. However while completing the mission, a heavy exchange of fire occurred between Indian forces and militants. Subsequently, a bullet hit him and he was killed in action.

Maha Vir Chakra For Bawa's gallantry action, he was awarded with Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest gallantry award. Bawa's Maha Vir Chakra reads as follows: