Pre-script
1: The Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) is the
second highest military decoration in India, after the Param Vir Chakra, and is
awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether
on land, at sea or in the air. It replaced the British Distinguished Service
Order (DSO). The medal may be awarded posthumously.
2) Decades
ago, this book titled ‘Pathinaalu Naatkal’ [14 days] impressed me most…. It was
a story on Indo-bangla war … the hero is an Indian pilot who gets captured and falls in
the hands of a Paki general who hates India….. the air warfare was so
wonderfully depicted with Sujatha touch of humanism….
Thar Desert,
also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a large arid region in the
northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent that covers an area of 200,000 km2
and forms a natural boundary between India and Pakistan. About 75% of the Thar Desert is located within
India, with the remaining 25% in Pakistan.
Longewala is a border town in the Thar Desert in the western part of
Jaisalmer district, in the state of Rajasthan. It is very close to the border
with Pakistan and is most notable as the location of the Battle of Longewala
during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.
The Battle of
Longewala (4–7 December 1971) was one of the first major engagements in the
western sector during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, fought between assaulting
Pakistani forces and Indian defenders at the Indian border post of Longewala,
in the Thar Desert. "A" company (reinforced) of the
Indian Army's 23rd battalion, Punjab Regiment, commanded by Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, was left with the choice
of either attempting to hold out until reinforced, or fleeing on foot from a
mechanised infantry Pakistani force. Choosing the former, Chandpuri ensured that
all his assets were correctly deployed, and made the most use of his strong
defensive position, and weaknesses created by errors in enemy tactics. He was
also fortunate in that an Indian Air Forceforward air controller was able to
secure and direct aircraft in support of the post's defence until
reinforcements arrived six hours later.
During the night of
the 4th, Lt. Veer's platoon conducting a patrol detected noises across the
border that suggested a large number of armoured vehicles approaching. These
were soon confirmed by reports — from the Army's Air Observation Post aircraft
flown by Maj. Atma Singh — in the area of a 20 km long armoured column on the
track leading to the post advancing in the general direction of the Longewala
post. Directing Lt Veer's patrol to
trail the advancing armoured column, Chandpuri got in touch with the battalion
headquarters requesting urgent reinforcements and armour and artillery support.
Battalion HQ gave him the choice of staying put, and containing the attack as
much as possible, or carrying out a tactical retreat of the company to Ramgarh,
as reinforcements would not be available for at least six hours. Considering
that Chandpuri's command had no transportation, and was facing a mobile enemy,
he decided to maintain the defensive position of the post where his troops at
least had the benefit of prepared defensive works, rather than conducting a
withdrawal at night that was a far riskier option.
The battle of
Longewala saw heavy Pakistani losses and low Indian casualties. Since the
Indians were able to use the defenders' advantage, they managed to inflict
heavy losses on the Pakistanis. Indian casualties in the battle were two
soldiers along with one of their jeep mounted recoil-less rifles knocked out.
Pakistani losses were 200 soldiers killed. The Pakistanis suffered the loss of 34 tanks
destroyed or abandoned, and lost 500 additional vehicles. Invading Pakistan troops meanwhile, had
underestimated the Longewala post's defensive capability due to the difficulty
of approach over sand, conducting the attack at night and in full-moon light,
against stiff resistance encountered there from a well prepared defensive
position located on a dominant height.
Brigadier
Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was awarded Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest
gallantry award. Several other awards were earned by members of
the defending company, and the battalion's commander. On the other hand, the
Pakistani divisional commander was dismissed from service. Sadly, Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri MVC,
VSM (22 November 1940) a decorated Officer passed away yesterday. He was
a councillor in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation from 2006 to 2011. The hero of the Battle of Longewala during the
1971 Indo-Pak war, died at a hospital in Mohali on Saturday, his family said.
He was 78. Brig Chandpuri was suffering from cancer. He is survived by his wife
and three sons, his family said.
The 1997 Bollywood film,
‘Border’, in which actor Sunny Deol played the role of Brig Chandpuri, was made
depicting the Longewala battle. The cremation will take place on Monday with
full military honours. Brig Chandpuri passed out from the Officers’ Training
Academy, Chennai, in 1963 and was commissioned into the 23rd Battalion of the
Punjab Regiment. He took part in the 1965 war on the western sector and,
thereafter, served in the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) for about a
year. He also served twice as an instructor at the Infantry School, Mhow.
Punjab Chief
Minister Amarinder Singh condoled the passing away of Chandpuri, saying his
exemplary and heroic leadership in the Battle of Longewala would inspire the
young soldiers and officers of the defence services to discharge their duties
with utmost devotion, commitment and sincerity. The citation for his Mahavir Chakra Award
reads: “Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was commanding a company battalion of the
Punjab Regiment occupying a defended locality in the Rajasthan Sector.” At the
Battle of Longewala, Brig Chandpuri exhibited dynamic leadership, exceptional
courage and determination in holding his command intact and steadfast. He
inspired his men moving from bunker to bunker till the reinforcements arrived,
the citation added.
Salute to
the hero !
With regards – S.
Sampathkumar
18th
Nov. 2018
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