18 January 1989: Remembering Vir Chakra 2nd Lt Amardeep Singh Bedi: A tale of Courage and Sacrifice
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Lt Amardeep Singh Bedi, a name that will forever be etched in the annals of Indian military history, was a true embodiment of bravery, valor, and sacrifice. His unwavering commitment to duty and selfless acts of courage have made him an inspiration for generations to come.
Second Lieutenant Amardeep Singh Bedi, 417 (1) Field Company (Madras Engineer Group) displayed initiative, conspicuous courage, leadership qualities & devotion to duty of high order in face of enemy.
18 January 1989 ' Op Pawan’.
During Jan 1989. 2nd Lt Amardeep Singh Bedi was deployed in Sri Lanka as part of Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). The IPKF launched an Operation Pawan with the mandate to neutralise the operational capability of LTTE in and around Jaffna. The aim was to render the movement directionless in the face of impending assault on the LTTE strongholds by the IPKF.
On 18 January 1989, Second Lieutenant Amardeep Singh Bedi, while carrying out a search of the jungle adjacent to a lagoon in Sri Lanka, spotted few militants trying to cross the lagoon at a distance of 700 metres. With a view to cutting off the escape route, he manoeuvred his boat to close in on the militants. He engaged the escaping militants and succeeded in killing one, possibly killing or injuring three others and thus prevented the militants from escaping.
While Second Lieutenant Bedi was moving through a narrow channel another group of 10 to 15 militants waiting to cross the lagoon brought down a heavy volume of fire including General Purpose Machine Gun fire on his boat, which was barely 70 metres away from the bank. During the exchange of fire, Second Lieutenant Bedi and two Other Ranks were hit and succumbed to their injuries and martyred.
Throughout the operation, Second Lieutenant Bedi displayed initiative, conspicuous courage, leadership qualities and devotion to duty. The plan made by him succeeded in effectively confining the militants to the small jungle strip and his gallant action prevented their escape through the lagoon.
2nd Lt Amardeep Singh Bedi was given the Vir Chakra (VrC) for his outstanding grit, determination, devotion to duty and supreme sacrifice.