Shakunthala Ajit Bhandarkar - The Saga of a Braveheart: Lt Col Ajit v Bhandarkar Shaurya Chakra

The Saga of a Braveheart

Lt Col Ajit V Bhandarkar

Shaurya Chakra

The Saga of a Braveheart

Lt Col Ajit V Bhandarkar

Shaurya Chakra

Shakunthala Ajit Bhandarkar

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Copyright 2021, Shakunthala A Bhandarkar

ISBN: 978-93-90917-12-9 (Hardback)

ISBN: 978-93-90917-13-6 (Paperback)

ISBN: 978-93-90917-14-3 (ebook)

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Front Cover:

Cadet Sgt Ajit V Bhandarkar in his Blue Patrol,@NDA 1980. Designed by Karan Rustagi.

Back Cover: Watermark, The War memorial , IMA, Dehradun.

Dedicated to

Ajits and my parents

for encouraging us in all our endeavours

and giving us the right values in life.

2/Lt Ajit Bhandarkar was commissioned into 18th Battalion, The Madras Regiment (Mysore) on 19th December 1981. As a Lieutenant Colonel, Second-in-Command of his battalion, Ajit volunteered to lead a Quick Reaction Team to locate and eliminate a few Pakistani terrorists who had crossed the Line of Actual Control into Surankot area, near Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir) on 30th October 1999. When the encounter took place, he shot down three terrorists and then took a terrorists shot on his forehead and was killed in action. For his dedication to duty, leadership from the front, personal bravery and supreme sacrifice for the nation, he was awarded the Shaurya Chakra (SC).

We have read many stories and biographies of our brave soldiers and war heroes. The focus is on the bravehearts military upbringing, dedication, camaraderie and valour. Most of these narrations are authored by journalists, researchers or professional writers. In rare cases, one may also find a story co-authored with a family member.

The Saga of a Braveheart: Lt Col Ajit V Bhandarkar Shaurya Chakra is different; I would say unique in some sense. It is written by a Veer Nari: Mrs Shakunthala Bhandarkar, wife of late Lieutenant Colonel Ajit Bhandarkar, SC. It is a rare glimpse into the heart of a brave soldier, his family and children. Anecdotes penned by Mrs Shakunthala Bhandarkar in her very simple language bring alive the love for her husband, dedication to the family, and vividly the experiences which a Fauji wife goes through with her husband, and then unfortunately and most unexpectedly, without him.

Mrs Shakunthala Bhandarkar, like all Veer Naris, has borne the pain of her very personal loss with quiet dignity, courage and fortitude. She has brought up her two young sons single-handedly and inculcated the social and military values which are dear to her late husband and her. I am delighted and proud to say that both her sons are now commissioned officers in the armed forces. There can be no better proof of her love for the armed forces and their service to the nation.

This book takes you through Ajits life; introduces you to his family and also gives glimpses of a military school (Sainik School, Bijapur), some important armed forces institutions and his renowned unit, 18th Battalion, The Madras Regiment (Mysore).

When Mrs Shakunthala Bhandarkar decided to write this book, she told me, While the Fauji crowd is aware of the trials and tribulations our officers and their families go through, our civilian friends are unaware of the various institutions in the armed forces. They are also oblivious to the challenges we face. My objective to write this biography is to share the life of a braveheart with the younger generation and bring about awareness about the armed forces as a profession, which the youth should covet.

It is a privilege for me to write a Foreword to this book, and I salute late Lieutenant Colonel Ajit Bhandarkar, SC and also Mrs Shakunthala Bhandarkars own exemplary courage, dedication and achievements.

Date: 13 Apr 2021General V P Malik,

PVSM, AVSM (Retired)

Former Chief of the Army Staff, India

Note: Gen. V P Malik, PVSM, AVSM (Retd) was the Chief of Army Staff during Operation Vijay (The Kargil War), the Op Faizalabad led by Lt Col A Bhandarkar and was also the Commandant of the DSSC while then Maj Ajit Bhandarkar was doing the DSSC course (49).

Memories of good times spent together at NDA flooded back as I read this poignant story of a courageous soldier, an upright officer and a gentleman. Rising above the call of duty, leading from the front and unmindful of personal danger, Lt Col Ajit Bhandarkar epitomises all that makes the Indian army among the best in the world today.

Air Vice Marshal (Dr) Arjun Subramaniam, AVSM (Retd),

Author of Indias Wars: A Military History 1947-1971 and Full Spectrum: Indias Wars 1972-2020.

Though I had not known Ajit personally but after taking over command of 25 RR from Col Ramachandran, VSM, I learnt about his heroic feat and learnt about his martyrdom. Later when I began to interact with the locals of Draba, the location of the Battalion Headquarters, I felt proud when everybody talked of Ajit not only as a very fine gentleman but a brave soldier as well. The chord he had struck with the locals speaks volumes of his humanitarian qualities. Ajit has done proud not only the RR or Madras Regiment but the entire nation living up to the idea of India when militancy was at its peak in the area. My salute to him and his valour and to his devoted wife who not only offered her two sons to the Armed forces but herself has left no stone unturned to keep his legacy alive.

Brig Anil Gupta (Retd)

Former CO 25 RR

The author, Mrs Shakunthala A Bhandarkar, has done a very praiseworthy job in writing about the life of her dear husband, Lt Col Ajit V Bhandarkar, SC. This book which reads very smoothly, brings out the leadership and humane qualities of Ajit. The travails of the tough and unforgiving Army life for an officer and his family have been very well brought out. When I took over the battalion in Gandhinagar Ajit was the Adjutant. In the short period we served together, I found Ajit to be a well-groomed young officer with sterling qualities of the head, heart and professional. He was very diligent and thorough in his work. Shortly after I took over command, the battalion moved to a field area in Jammu and Kashmir in 1986. Ajit assisted me in the planning and execution of the move and induction of the battalion into Battalion Defended Area, along the Line of Control and in his characteristic style did a very magnificent job at a very young service.