Baljit Singh Gill

Second Lieutenant Baljit Singh Gill, Vir Chakra, Unit - 12 Jat (Ex 31 Jat), played very important role during Operation Cactus Lily in Indo-Pak War 1971. On 23 December 1971, he was in charge of a party detailed to lay an ambush in the Eastern Sector. In this operation, he displayed commendable courage, professional skill and leadership of a high order. He was awarded 'Vir Chakra'. He retired as a Brigadier. His two sons are also serving in the army.

Birth

Second Lieutenant Baljit Singh Gill was born on 25 January 1950 in Ludhiana District of Punjab in the family of Sardar Nacchatar Singh.

Operation Cactus Lily

On 23 December 1971, Second Lieutenant Baljit Singh Gill was in charge of a party detailed to lay an ambush in the Eastern Sector. He led his party by night and organised the ambush with professional competence.

At dawn three enemy boats were sighted. Second Lieutenant Gill engaged the boats with accurate and effective fire and destroyed them. One officer and nine other ranks of the enemy were killed in this ambush.

In this operation, Second Lieutenant Gill displayed commendable courage, professional skill and leadership of a high order. He was awarded 'Vir Chakra'. He retired as a Brigadier. His two sons are also serving in the army.

When his wife passed away, Brigadier B. S. Gill, Vir Chakra, made the decision to donate a Scorpio ambulance in memory of his late wife, Kamal Gill, who breathed her last on March 11, 2023.

He traveled 3500 km from Chandigarh to Aizawl, Mizoram, and another 400 km to the village of Dilatlang, located in the hills beyond Lunglei, where he had served as a post commander in 1972. There, he donated an ambulance worth Rs 20 lakhs.

Expressing their gratitude, the villagers warmly welcomed Brigadier Saheb by carrying him in a palanquin through the village. This photo was sent from the village of Pukpui near Lunglei. Photo via Major Gen Anil Sengar