Brigadier Kuldeep Chandpuri Nayak Of 1971 Longewala Front War :
1971 War fought between The Indian Army and Pakistan is one of the decisive wars in the defence history of the two nations. In Rajasthan Longewala front’s protection was a major challenge for the Indian Army as they faced the Pakistani intrusion in the night whereas Indian Air Force could not operate before the next day morning.
Maintaining the stronghold of Indian Army was done under the Nayak of 1971 Longewala Front War – Late Brigadier Kuldeep Chandpuri. Today let’s pay tribute to his evergreen bravery……
Brig. Chandpuri was born on 22 November 1940 in present-day Mint Gumri, Pakistan. After the partition of India-Pakistan in 1947, his family settled in Chandpur village of Balachaur, a town in Nawanshahr district of Punjab.
Kuldeep Chandpuri did his studies from Government College Hoshiarpur. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Punjab Regiment of the Indian Army in 1962.
He showed his bravery in the 1965 and 1971 wars for India. Brigadier Chandpuri also served a year in the Emergency Services of the United Nations.
The Bollywood film “Border” was made on the bravery shown by Brig Chandpuri and his colleagues on the Longewala front. In this film, the role of the then Major Kuldeep Chandpuri was played by actor Sunny Deol.
He is considered to be the hero of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war on the Longewala front of Rajasthan. He was awarded the Mahavir Chakra and Vishisht Seva Medal for outstanding services in the Indian Army.
Chandpuri Longewala was posted in this battle. Pakistan had an entire tank regiment on the border and Chandpuri had only 120 personnel in command.
His regiment was the Punjab Regiment in which most of the soldiers were Sikhs and some Dogras were also soldiers.
The fight started in 1971 on December 3 evening. Nearly 60 Pakistani tanks came with him, with about three thousand soldiers. It started an attack on Longewala at around midnight.
In an interview, Brigadier Kuldeep Chandpuri told that death was definitely visible to us. When 40-50 tanks surround you and each tank has a machine gun and kills it for two kilometres, it is very difficult to escape from that area.
“It was very difficult for me to decide in such a situation. I could not run away from the post because my religion did not allow it, nor did I get such a task that when the army of Pakistan arrives, you pick up the bags and run away.”
The second thing was that I had to fight there and I was ready to fight. My soldiers were ready. I inspired them. They too were seen surrounded by tanks. I gave them examples of the martyrdom of Guru Gobind Singh and his sons and said that if we leave the war and run away, it will be a stigma on the whole Sikh community.
My jawans had left the decision of the fight over me and I told them that if I remove my foot from the post, then 120 of you 120 men should shoot me.
Retired Brigadier of Indian Army Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri passed away on November 17 2018. Brigadier Chandpuri was 78 years old he breathed his last at 9 am at Fortis Hospital in Mohali.
Bharat Mata shall be proud of one his beloved sons who made sure that not an inch of Indian motherland is taken by the enemy Pakistani. We salute Brigadier Kuldeep Chandpuri Ji! Jai Hind!
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