Lieutenant Colonel Inder Bal Singh Bawa was born on 25 May 1947 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He was the son of Dr. H. S. Bawa and came from a family with a military tradition. He attended DAV Higher Secondary School in Shimla before joining the Indian Military Academy.
He was commissioned into the 5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) on 11 June 1967. During the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War, he served with distinction and continued to build his reputation as a capable officer and leader. His professional career culminated in his appointment as Commanding Officer of 4/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) on 7 August 1987.
Following the Indo-Sri Lanka Accord, Indian forces were deployed to Sri Lanka as part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force. Lieutenant Colonel Bawa's battalion landed at Palai on 11 October 1987 and was immediately committed to operations. Its task included clearing the Vasavilan–Urumpirai–Jaffna Fort axis, where militants were defending heavily fortified positions. He personally led his men through difficult fighting and continued to inspire them under fire.
The battalion was subsequently tasked with reaching and extricating personnel from 13 Sikh Light Infantry and 10 Para Commando teams in the Kondavil area. On 13 October 1987, Lieutenant Colonel Bawa led his battalion through hostile territory and successfully linked up with the trapped personnel. During the operation, a militant group opened fire on him. Despite his injuries, he continued to exercise command, but he later succumbed to his wounds that evening.
Lieutenant Colonel Inder Bal Singh Bawa made the supreme sacrifice on 13 October 1987 while commanding his battalion during Operation Pawan. In recognition of his conspicuous bravery and inspiring leadership, he was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. He was survived by his wife, Smt. Lily Bawa, and his son, Colonel Tejinder Bawa. His service and sacrifice remain part of the history and legacy of the 5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force).