On 14 Feb 2019, a ghastly terror attack orchestrated by Jaish-e-Mohammad’s vehicle-borne suicide bomber on a CRPF convoy led to the martyrdom of 40 Indian soldiers in Pulwama of Jammu and Kashmir. While the ill-fated day sent shockwaves across the country, the cowardly acts of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism went on to claim the lives of some of incredibly young gallant soldiers of paramilitary forces who were the pride of the country. During this period, on 16th Feb 2019, a 31- yr old braveheart Major Chitresh Bisht attained martyrdom while defusing an IED in the Naushera sector of Rajouri in J&K. Maj Bisht who was slated to get married only a few days ahead, i.e on 07 Mar 2019, was more devoted to the higher cause of serving the motherland and laid down his life in the service of the nation.

 

 

During 2019, Maj Chitresh Bisht’s unit was deployed in Naushera sector of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir. The unit was manning the forward posts along the LOC in Rajouri district. The area of his unit’s operation is very volatile and prone to infiltration by terrorists, the unit had to maintain a strict vigil and deployed armed patrols with regular frequency. The landmines along the patrol routes posed a serious danger to the troops and thus the Bomb Disposal Squad of the unit played a crucial role in sanitizing the routes.

 

 

 

Maj Chitresh Bisht as leader of the squad was involved in numerous mine-clearing operations for the unit. On 16 Feb 2019, Maj Bisht was tasked to lead one such mine-clearing operation in Laam sector of Naushera in Rajouri district. At about 3 pm on 16 Feb, mines were detected on the Naushera track and Maj Bisht leading the Bomb Disposal Squad, got down to the task of sanitizing the track. He successfully defused one of the mines and with utter disregard to his own life, Maj Bisht continued to carry out the area sanitation and proceeded to neutralize another mine. However, while trying to deactivate the mine, the device got activated, triggering a blast. Maj Bisht facing the brunt of the blast absorbed most of the splinters, thereby screening his comrades behind him. Maj Bisht later succumbed to his injuries and was martyred.

 

 

Born on Dec 1, 1987, Major Bisht was raised in Ranikhet in the Almora district of Uttarakhand. Son of a retired Police Inspector Shri SS Bisht, Maj Bisht also had an elder brother. He had joined the Army after his graduation and was commissioned into 55 Engineering Regt of the Corps of Engineers. Maj Chitresh Bisht was a Combat Engineer trained in laying and defusing mines and had undertaken numerous risky operations. During 2019 he was serving with 55 Engineering Regt and was operating as Bomb Disposal Squad leader in support of the unit’s operations.

 

 

 

 

While on one hand Combat Engineers during a war provide mobility to their own forces by constructing bridges, tracks, and helipads, on the other hand, the Corps deny the same to the enemy by creating obstacles such as laying mine-fields and demolition of bridges.