Valiant ‘Border’ hero who defied Pakistani tanks dies
Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for heroic stand
Decorated Indian war veteran and hero of the ‘Battle of Longewala’, Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, died at a private hospital in Mohali yesterday, family sources said.
He was 77 and is survived by his wife and three sons.
Chandpuri, who was a major during the 1971 India-Pakistan war, held his post throughout the night in the famous battle of Longewala in Rajasthan — with just 120 men against a fullfledged attack by advancing Pakistani Patton tanks.
He was decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra, India’s second highest military decoration, for forcing the enemy to retreat. This feat of Brig Chandpuri and his men later featured in the Bollywood blockbuster Border (1997), with actor Sunny Deol playing him.
The Maha Vir Chakra citation read: “Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was commanding a company of the Punjab Regiment occupying a defended locality in the Rajasthan Sector. On December 5, 1971, in the early hours of the morning the enemy launched a massive attack on this locality with infantry and tanks. Major Chandpuri exhibited dynamic leadership in holding his command intact and steadfast. ■
“Showing exceptional courage and determination, he inspired his men moving from bunker to bunker, encouraging them in beating back the enemy till reinforcements arrived. In this heroic defence, he inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and forced them to retreat leaving behind 12 tanks.
“Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri displayed conspicuous gallantry, inspiring leadership and exceptional devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army.”
Lifelong fighter
Born on November 22, 1940, Chandpuri would have turned 78 in five days’ time.
Commissioned into the Indian Army in 1963, Chandpuri was assigned to the 23rd battalion of the Punjab Regiment. He lived up to the regiment’s reputation when he led his men to hold back the advancing Pakistanis and decimate them with support from the Indian Air Force. Twentytwo Pakistani tanks were destroyed in the battle.
Later, he was nominated as Councillor in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, where he served his term (20062011) actively. Whether in war, civic issues, or his last battle against cancer, Chandpuri was always a fighter.
In his house in Chandigarh’s Sector 33, the famous photo of his soldiers dancing atop vanquished Pakistani tanks after the battle of Longewala, adorned the wall of the living room in a big frame.
He lived up to the Punjab Regiment’s reputation when he held his post throughout one night in the famous battle of Longewala, leading just 120 men against a full-fledged Pakistani attack.