UNSUNG HEROES OF THE INDIAN ARMY: EP #3

UNSUNG HEROES OF THE INDIAN ARMY: EP #3

Brigadier Ajit Singh Shekhawat (GRENADIERS)

Brig. Ajit Singh is a product of Sainik School, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. He was a NCC Senior Division Best Cadet, Best Shooter, Best Para Jumper. He had participated in 1982 Republic Day Parade, New Delhi and bestowed with the prestigious Guard of Honour to then Prime Minister of India, Smt. Indira Gandhi.

After completing his Graduation from Maharaja College, Jaipur, he was selected to the Prestigious Indian Military Academy (IMA) Dehradun. He bagged the ‘Best Shooter’ trophy at IMA and commissioned into the Infantry, 13 GRENADIERS on Dec 1985.

During 1990-1995 in the Kashmir valley, he took active part in operations against anti national elements and awarded ‘Bravest of the Brave’. He led at least 500 Counter Insurgency Operations in Kashmir Valley in Operation Rakshak. During the course of countering terrorism and militancy in the valley, he was hit by a bullet and bestowed with a ‘Wound Medal’ and the Army Commander’s Commendation Card.

He was part of Operation Vijay, KARGIL in 1999 and deployed at Batalik Sector. He led from the front his company of 22 Grenadiers, motivated his troops and captured Point 5465 and the formidable Khalubar Ridge in the Batalik Sector at 18000 feet height. Capturing this post was one of the most prominent actions of the Kargil War. He was wounded and got a second Wound Medal in this action and was recommended for the prestigious Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) for this action.

After the Kargil war, he was deployed for a United Nations Peacekeeping Mission at Sierra Leone (West Africa), where he played a major role in spearheading the famous ‘Operation Khukri’ and rescued 232 Gurkha Soldiers, taken hostage by the militants of Revolutionary Unified Front. The mission was successfully accomplished and all hostages were freed with zero casualties.

He was deployed for another United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (Central Africa). Out of the 15 battalions from various countries, 22 GRENADIERS was adjudged as the best unit for its overall performance. He was awarded by the Force Commander with his Commendation Card.

 During his tenure as Training Battalion Commander and Commandant of the GRENADIERS Regimental Centre (Jabalpur), he raised a Rowing team of young recruits. With his enduring efforts of nurturing the skills of the rowers, his team participated in the Asian Games at Guangzhou, China in 2010 and won Silver medals. They also represented India in the 2012 London Olympics.

During his tenure as NCC Group Commander at Rajkot (Gujarat), He trained more than 50,000 NCC cadets, Conducted Sailing Expedition of 720 km in Arabian Sea, ‘Dharohar Sangrakshan’ Expedition organised at Beyt Dwarka, launched mission ‘Gaon Se Gaon Tak, Gaon Se Safalta Tak’ to sensitise entire Saurashtra region about the Defence Forces.

Brig. Ajit Singh, is a battle hardened infantry man, served our nation with courage and unquestionable integrity for the last 35 years. Brig Ajit Singh’s father and his father in law, both served in the India Navy and his brother is a serving Captain in Indian Navy (equivalent to Colonel).

 Here comes another good news, his son Anant Vijay Singh Shekhawat is an Engineering Graduate, left his Masters in Australia and decided to join the Army to follow his father’s steps. He is the 3rd generations Army Officer in the family and recently commissioned into Mechanised Infantry, inducted into Army Aviation and will be a Helicopter Pilot soon. What a great legacy and true Patriotism in the Blood.

Brigadier Ajit Singh – The true Hero of Kargil War, we salute you, we thank you for service and thank you for inspiring thousands of youngsters! Truly an unsung hero.