Longewala Battle Hero Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri is no more
Longewala Battle Hero Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri Is No More
The man who won India the historic Battle of Longewala, Maha Vir Chakra winner Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri is no more. The 78-year-old war veteran died at Fortis Hospital Mohali on Saturday. He was suffering from cancer. He is survived by his wife and three sons.
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Sunny Deol portrayed the character of Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, who headed an operation that seemed virtually impossible.
Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri MVC, VSM was born on 22 November 1940 and retired as brigadier from the Indian Army. He was known for his heroic leadership in the famous Battle of Longewala (as Major Kuldip Singh), for which he was awarded Maha Vir Chakra by the government.
Chandpuri was born on 22 November 1940 at Montgomery in the Punjab region of unpartitioned India. His family then moved to their native village, Chandpur Rurki in Balachaur.
Chandpuri was recruited into the Indian Army in 1962, and commissioned from Officers Training Academy, Chennai in 1963 into the 23rd Battalion of The Punjab Regiment.
He took part in the 1965 war in the western sector. After the war, he served in the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) at Gaza (Egypt) for a year.
He also served twice as an instructor at the prestigious Infantry School, Mhow (MP) where the elite of the Indian army are imparted instructions and combat training.
During the Battle of Longewala, Chandpuri and his company of 120 soldiers, defended the post, in spite of huge odds, against the 3,000 strong force of the Pakistani 51st Infantry Brigade, backed by the 22nd armoured regiment.
Chandpuri and his company held the Pakistanis at bay for a full night until the Indian Air Force arrived in the morning.
Chandpuri inspired his men, moving from bunker to bunker, encouraging them to beat back the enemy until reinforcements arrived.
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Kuldip Singh Chandpuri and his men inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, and forced them to retreat, leaving behind twelve tanks. For his gallantry and leadership, Chandpuri was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) by the Indian Army.
-PTC NEWS
