Lt Hari Singh Bist was born in the family of Hony Capt PS Bist (Retd) on December 31, 1974. Hari was eldest among the siblings, the only brother of three sisters. His mother Mrs Shanti Bist was a housewife. Lt Bist hailed from Rajiv Nagar, a small suburb in Lucknow.

Lt Bist had an ardent desire to join the defence forces since early childhood. He had turned down the idea to join CPMT and MBA inspite of being selected for these courses. After passing out from Indian Military Academy, Dehradun on December 11, 1999, Lt Hari Singh Bist opted to join infantry. He selected 11 Gorkha Rifles. Lt Bist created a mark for himself in a short span of six months of service in the unit. He was always ready to accomplish the tasks assigned to him. When he was made Commander of Ghatak PI after the movement of the unit to field, he rejuvenated it by his positive approach. A capable officer, Lt Bist motivated and trained his men to face any eventuality.

On July 21 last year, Lt Hari Singh Bist of 3/11 Gorkha Rifles received an information about a group of terrorists in Majhiari village in Mendhar area in Poonch district of J&K. Courageous and duty-bound Lieutenant eagerly volunteered to conduct a search operation in Majhiari village. The Ghatak PI came into action and reached Majhiari village to carry out search of houses. While approaching a suspected house, his party was fired upon heavily by the terrorists. When the brave soldiers returned the fire, the terrorists tried to flee away. Lt Bist shot one terrorist dead. He then guided his men to a terrorist hideout. Suddenly one terrorist, who was hiding in a maize field, fired with PIKA gun at Lt Bist. The brave son of India was severely wounded but he instructed death to wait till he had his mission accomplished. Lt Hari Singh Bist charged at the terrorist and in a hand-to-hand fight killed him. The lion succumbed to his injuries and was declared dead at 2200 hours.

The killed terrorist was identified as Abu Ahmed alias "Turki", a Division Commander of Hizbul Mujahideen of Pir Panjal Regiment and the other was Abu Hamza alias "Chhota Turki", the Area Commander of Huji. These terrorists had unleashed a reign of terror in the area and the people heaved a sigh of relief after their killing. The killed terrorists were involved in killing of innocents alongwith molestation and rape of women. They were also responsible for firing at Harni Police Station and attacks on Army posts.

The President of India for this act of conspicious bravery of Lt Bist conferred upon him the award of Shaurya Chakra on Republic Day this year. Lt H S Bist has carved a niche for himself in the history of the Third Battalion of 11 Gorkha Rifles. He shall always be remembered for his act of gallantry and his supreme sacrifice for the sake of preserving the integrity of the motherland.