Kuldip Singh Chandpuri

Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri MVC, VSM (22 November 1940 – 17 November 2018) was a decorated Indian Army officer.[2] He is known for his leadership in the Battle of Longewala during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, for which he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the second highest Indian military decoration, by the Indian government. The 1997 Hindi film Border was based on the battle, with his role played by Sunny Deol.[3][4] He was a councillor in the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation from 2006 to 2011.[1]

Brigadier

Kuldip Singh Chandpuri

MVC, VSM
Chandpuri as a Maj.
Born(1940-11-22)22 November 1940
Montgomery, Punjab, British India (now in Pakistan)
Died17 November 2018(2018-11-17) (aged 77)[1]
Mohali, Punjab, India
AllegianceIndia Republic of India
Service/branch Indian Army
Years of service1963-1996
Rank Brigadier
Unit14 Punjab
Battles/warsIndo-Pakistan War of 1965
Indo-Pakistan War of 1971
Battle of Longewala
Awards Maha Vir Chakra
Vishisht Seva Medal

Early life

Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was born on 22 November 1940 in a Sikh family in Montgomery, Punjab, British India (now in Punjab, Pakistan).[5] His family then moved to their native village, Chandpur Rurki, in Balachaur. He was an active member of the NCC and cleared the NCC examination when he graduated from the Government College, Hoshiarpur in 1962.[5] Chandpuri was the third generation in his family who have served in the Indian Army as officers. Both his younger uncles were flying officers in the Indian Air Force. Chandpuri was the only child of his parents.

Career

In 1963, Chandpuri was commissioned from the Officers Training Academy, Chennai into the 3rd battalion, Punjab Regiment (3rd Punjab), which is one of the oldest and one of the most highly decorated regiments of the Indian Army. He took part in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 in the western sector. After the war, he served in the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) in Gaza (Egypt) for a year. He also served twice as an instructor at the prestigious Infantry School in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.[5]

Battle of Longewala

Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was a major in 23 Punjab when the Pakistan Army attacked the Longewala post in Rajasthan, India, early in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Chandpuri and his company of 120 soldiers defended the post, in spite of considerable odds, against the 2000-3000 strong assault force of the Pakistani 51st Infantry Brigade, backed by the 22nd Armored Regiment. Chandpuri and his company held the Pakistanis at bay for a full night until the Indian Air Force arrived to provide air support in the morning.

Chandpuri inspired his men, moving from bunker to bunker, encouraging them to beat back the enemy until reinforcements arrived. Chandpuri and his men inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and forced them to retreat, leaving behind twelve tanks. For his conspicuous gallantry and leadership, Chandpuri was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) by the government of India.

Chandpuri retired from the army as a brigadier.

Maha Vir Chakra Citation

The citation for Chandpuri's Maha Vir Chakra award reads as follows:

Gazette Notification: 18 Pres/72,12-2-72
Operation: 1971 Cactus Lily
Date of Award: 05 Dec 1971

Citation: Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was commanding a company of the Punjab Regiment occupying a defended locality in the Rajasthan Sector. On 5th December 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 twelve tanks.

In this action, Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri displayed conspicuous gallantry, inspiring leadership and exceptional devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army.[6]

  • Border, a 1997 Hindi film directed by J.P.Dutta was an adaptation of the real-life battle, with Major Chandpuri being portrayed by Hindi film actor Sunny Deol.[7][8]

Death

On 17 November 2018, Chandpuri died at the Fortis Hospital, Mohali due to cancer, at the age of 77, five days before his 78th birthday.[9] He was survived by three sons.[10]

Military awards and decorations
Maha Vir Chakra Vishisht Seva Medal Wound Medal
Samanya Seva Medal Samar Seva Star Paschimi Star Raksha Medal
Sangram Medal Sainya Seva Medal High Altitude Service Medal Videsh Seva Medal
25th Anniversary Independence Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal UN Emergency Force Medal

Dates of rank
InsigniaRankComponentDate of rank
Second LieutenantIndian Army30 June 1963 (emergency)[11]
16 January 1968 (substantive, with seniority from 15 January 1964 but for pay from 30 June 1963)[12]
LieutenantIndian Army30 June 1965 (emergency)[13]
16 January 1968 (substantive, with seniority from 15 July 1966)[12]
CaptainIndian Army15 July 1970[14]
MajorIndian Army15 July 1971[15]
Lieutenant-ColonelIndian Army10 February 1984 (substantive)[16]
ColonelIndian Army23 February 1987[17]
BrigadierIndian Army1 December 1991[18]

References
  1. "Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri: the heroic 'Border' man who defied Pakistani tanks". The Economic Times. 17 November 2018. Archived from the original on 17 November 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  2. "Brig Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, MVC, VSM (retd)". The War Decorated India. Archived from the original on 29 April 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  3. "1971 war hero Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, who inspired Border movie, dies". India Today. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  4. "Hero of Battle of Longewala, Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, dies". The Indian Express. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  5. "In Conversation with: Brig Kuldip Singh Chandpuri". The Asian Connections. 3 May 2012. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
  6. "Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Brig Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, MVC, VSM (Retd) @ TWDI". Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2014.
  7. "The real-life hero who inspired 'Border'". Rediff. 22 November 2010. Archived from the original on 25 July 2012.
  8. "Sunny Deol pays tribute to the 1971 war hero Brigadier Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri". The Indian Express. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 17 November 2018.
  9. "1971 war hero Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, who inspired Border movie, dies". India Today. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  10. IANS (18 November 2018). "Kuldip Singh Chandpuri: Hero Of Battle Of Longewala Who Defied Pak Tanks". NDTV.com. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  11. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 14 November 1964. p. 462.
  12. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 26 March 1977. p. 359.
  13. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 13 November 1965. p. 584.
  14. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 8 April 1978. p. 323.
  15. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 31 October 1981. p. 1451.
  16. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 10 October 1987. p. 1372.
  17. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 5 May 1990. p. 645.
  18. "Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch)". The Gazette of India. 13 February 1993. p. 297.
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