Mohali, November 17: Brigadier (Retd) Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, the hero of Battle of Longewala of 1971 died today at the Fortis Hospital in Mohali, Punjab. He was 78 years of age and was suffering from cancer.  He was a major in the Indian Army during the India-Pakistan war of 1971 which was fought for the liberation of Bangladesh.  Brigadier (Retd) Chandpuri was posted in the western sector during the war. He was commanding a company of 23rd Battalion of the Punjab Regiment.

When the war started, an armoured regiment of the Pakistani Army having a strength of around 2,000 soldiers attacked the Longewala post. A total of 40 tanks also backed the Pakistani Army regiment. He played a crucial role in the battle. The battle was fought on the intervening night of December 4-5, 1971. His men managed to repulse the Pakistan attack, and in the morning Indian Air Force’s Hunter fighter jets came to the rescue of the Chandpuri’s men. Pakistan suffered heavy loss in the battle. Brig. (Retd) Chandpuri was awarded Mahavir Chakra for displaying bravery on the battlefield.

He is survived by his wife and three sons. Punjab Chief minister captain Amarinder Singh expressed grief over the death of the war veteran. He tweeted, “Very sorry to learn of the sad demise of Brigadier KS Chandpuri, MVC. He was a very brave and distinguished soldier and the hero of the Battle of Longewala. The nation is poorer with his passing away. My heartfelt condolences to his family.”

In 1997, Filmmaker JP Dutta’s blockbuster movie, Border was based on the battle of Longewal. Actor Sunny Deol played the role Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 17, 2018 01:39 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).