Rajeev Army Welfare Housing Society Pay Homage to 2nd Lt Rajeev Sandhu Mahavir Chakra (Posthumous)
, Chandigarh, 19 July 2024 – Residents of Rajeev Army Welfare Housing Society, Sector 13, Chandigarh, gathered at Rajeev Vihar to remember and pay homage to 2nd Lt Rajeev Sandhu, Mahavir Chakra (Posthumous), on his Martyrdom Day. Rajeev Vihar Society, named in his honour, stands as a tribute to the supreme sacrifice he made for the nation.
Commissioned from the Officers Training Academy in Chennai, 2nd Lt Rajeev Sandhu joined the 7th Battalion of the Assam Regiment on 5 March 1988. The military deployed the battalion as part of Operation PAWAN in the Peace Keeping Operation in Sri Lanka. On 19 July 1988, while leading a small party through the thick jungle in the Trincomalee area, 2nd Lt Sandhu’s unit came under heavy automatic and rocket launcher fire from LTTE militants.
Despite the heavy casualties and severe injuries, including a direct hit from a rocket launcher that mutilated his legs, 2nd Lt Sandhu managed to shoot and neutralise the charging militants before succumbing to his injuries. The authorities posthumously honoured his bravery and sacrifice at the young age of 21 with the Maha Vir Chakra on 26 March 1990.
The commemoration ceremony was presided over by Smt Sarabjeet Kaur, local Councillor and former Mayor of Chandigarh, along with Sh Jagtar Singh, ex-Councillor of Manimajra, who was the Guest of Honour. Lt Col DS Sra (Retd), President of the Society, Brig BM Bakshi, Col Kulbir Singh, Col Narender Singh, col Narinder Singh ex President after President Col Sra brig bakshi and other residents, including the ladies of Rajeev Vihar, paid their respects by laying wreaths and showering petals on the statue of the martyr installed on the premises.
Col Kuldeep Singh from HQ Western Command Chandimandir and numerous veteran officers and ladies of the Assam Regiment from the tri-city area, including Major General PS Behl, Brigadier JS Bawa, and Brigadier Kishor Malhotra, also attended the event. Some of 2nd Lt Sandhu’s training-mates from the academy were also present to pay tribute to their course-mate.
In a heartfelt gesture, the parents of 2nd Lt Rajeev Sandhu presented a cheque of Rs 1 lakh to the Society and distributed Rs 10,000 to the staff members of the Society.
