The warrior of Longewala

Brigadier Kuldeep Singh Chandipuri

(1940-2018)

 

“The Hero of Indo-Pak war 1971”

 

Brig Kuldeep Singh Chandipuri is the hero of Indo-Pak war who wrote history with his wisdom and indomitable courage. During this war, 120 Indian soldiers had burnt three thousand soldiers of Pakistan in Chandipur.

 

There is no war or conflict which doesn't has a turning point in India’s scuffle against Pakistan in 1971, the Battle of Longewala was that turning point and let’s know the beginning point of the Brigadier Kuldeep Singh Chandipuri who brought the turning point…

 

Kuldeep Singh , the ancestral village of Chandpuri in Punjab, was born on 22 November 1940 in the Punjab region of undivided India. The family then moved to the ancestral village of Chandpur Roorkee, which is in Balachaur, Punjab. Chandpuri was the only child of parents. He graduated from Hoshiarpur College in 1962. During this time he was also an active member of NCC.

Recruitment in the Army in 1962:

Kuldeep Singh joined the Indian Army in 1962. He received a commission from the Officers Training Academy in Chennai and became part of the 23rd Battalion of the Punjab Regiment. He participated in the 1965 and 1971 wars. His valour in battle was highly appreciated. After this he served for a year in the United Nations Emergency Force in Gaza. He was also an Instructor in Mhow Infantry School in Madhya Pradesh twice.

There is always a day which defines you …and here our 120 Braves and Brigadier has a night defining their Heroism…

Longewala check post is an important security check post in India. When Pakistan attacked 60 Peyton tanks in Longewala, During the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, a gust of dust was rising towards the sky, some distance away from the Longewala post in Rajasthan. The Indian soldiers  posted at the check post understood that the Pakistan Army had attacked. When the dust was cleared, the Indian soldiers  listened to the thunder of the tanks.

The situation when there was no other way here except to die and be killed. Death was in front of the soldiers. But  Chandpuri was having some other plans. He said to his soldiers, if I take my steps back from this post, you all 120 soldiers shoot me down. This was that brave heart. He did not allow any jawans to break their spirits. He and soldiers did not lose patience in this difficult time and decided that anything should happen, We Will fight and be martyred on this post.

Chandipuri inspired the jawans and asked them to remember the sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singh and his sons. Chandpuri said that if he runs away in fear, then the entire Sikh society will be distressed.

 After this, the atmosphere of war itself changed. Pakistan's military commander got scared when 120 soldiers together challenged the army of Pakistan. He felt that there are more than one thousand young men on Longewala post. Kuldeep accepted and handled the situation with great skill and cut the teeth of the enemy.  After this, a fierce battle was fought and in the end, India won it. The victory was tied to Major Kuldeep Singh Chandipur. In view of his indomitable courage, he was awarded Mahavir Chakra and Vishisht Seva Medal.

Awards given for his Valour:

Major Kuldeep Singh Chandipur  is awarded with 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 and UN Emergency Force Medal

Border movie based on the Battel of Longewala:

If 'Border' had not been the real hero, the map of the country would have changed…

Also,the film Border was based on his heroism.Actor Sunny Deol has played his role in Border.

 

 

With all these things that makes one get goosebumps, there is Brigadier Kuldeep Singh Chandipur  who lived it…