Lakhbinder Singh Lidder, SM, VSM

Biography

Brigadier Lakhbinder Singh 'Tony' Lidder was born on 26 June 1969 in New Delhi into a military family. He completed his schooling at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Mhow, before joining the National Defence Academy in 1987 and later the Indian Military Academy. He was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles on 15 December 1990. Over a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, he served in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu and Kashmir, participated in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, commanded the 136 Infantry Brigade, and served as the Defence Assistant to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat. He was awarded the Sena Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal for his exemplary service. On 8 December 2021, while accompanying the Chief of Defence Staff on an Indian Air Force Mi-17V5 helicopter, he lost his life in the helicopter crash near Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. He was cremated with full military honours, leaving behind a legacy of dedicated service to the nation.