Amarjit Singh Bal
Brigadier Amarjit Singh Bal, MVC was an officer of the Indian Army, who served with the 17 Lancers. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy, during the Battle of Basantar in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
Amarjit Singh Bal | |
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| Born | 6 Jun 1940 |
| Died | 6 Nov 2010 (aged 70) |
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| Battles/wars | Battle of Basantar - Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 |
| Awards |  |
Military career
During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Brigadier Amarjit Singh Bal held the rank of Major. Major Amarjit Singh Bal's, unit was deployed on the western front in the Shakargarh Sector. During the Battle of Basantar on 15 and 16 December 1971, he was commanding a tank squadron of 17 Lancers and was tasked to defend a bridgehead on the Basantar river. Located at Jarpal, overlooking the river, his squadron was highly vulnerable to enemy attack. Despite heavy shelling by Pakistan artillery and repeated armored counter-attacks while heavily outnumbered for over two days, Maj. Amarjit Singh Bal inspired his men to repel the Pakistani attacks, destroying as many as 27 Pakistani M48 Patton tanks.[2][3]
In the battle, Major Amarjit Singh Bal displayed conspicuous gallantry and outstanding leadership and was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy.
Major Amarjit Singh Bal later rose to the rank of Brigadier.
References
- "MAJ AMARJIT SINGH BAL MAHA VIR CHAKRA". Indian Army, Govt of India official website.
- "Brig Amarjit Singh Bal, MVC". The War Decorated India & Trust.
- Bhat, Anil (21 December 2017). "India-Pak tank warfare and Pak military's drawbacks". Asian Age.