Battle of Longewala & Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri

There is no war or conflict which hasn’t been a turning point. In India’s scuffle against Pakistan in 1971, the Battle of Longewala was that turning point.

The Famous Battle of Longewala (4–7 December 1971), fought between the Pakistani offensive forces and the Indian defenders at the Indian border post of Longewala in Thar Desert of Rajasthan state, was the first major engagement in the Western Sector during the war of 1971.In the battle, not only were the assaulting Pakistani attack foiled and dented, the Pak forces were forced to withdraw when India launched an offensive attack against.Them thereby winning the decisive battle that changed the face of the Indo-Pak war forever. There are many facts & figures about the Battle of Longewala, but to make the incidents more real for readers, we have listed out 8 most significant facts that every Indian should know and feel proud of.

1. Strong Indian Defence :

Indeed, It can be phrased as a miracle that Indians won the battle of Longewala. Led by commanding officer in 23rd Battalion of Punjab Regiment in the Indian army, Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was on the defensive mode when the Pakistani army attacked the Longewala post on the night of 4 December 1971. Immediately after sending the trouble, Major Chandpuri got in touch with the battalion headquarters and requested urgent armours and reinforcements. He got a negative response and Battalion headquarters informed that reinforcement wasn’t possible before dawn.

2. Courage when the enemy were at the gates

Major Chandpuri was left with two choice -

• To attempt and hold out until reinforcement arrives or
• To command a tactile on foot retreat of his company to Ramgarh. Displaying exceptional courage, when enemy were at the gates, a courageous and determined Chandpuri decided not to back down and, running from bunker to bunker, he inspired his men to beat back the enemy.

3. Fighting against the odds.

Major Chandpuri had demanded aerial assistance from the IAF (Indian Air Force). But IAF didn't have fighter jets with night vision in the fleet at that time, so sadly, Chandpuri's demand was turned down. This had left Chandpuri and his battalion of 120 odd soldiers (comprising 23rd Punjab Regiment [Sikhs] and handful of Indian Border Security Force [Rajputs]), to defend the post of Longewala against heavy odds from the strong Pakistani Army of 2000-3000 men. The Indian troops battled the Pak army with all their valour and held the the enemy at bay through the night till the Indian Air Force arrived at the break of dawn.

4. Unmatched artillery power.

The Indian troops, with unmatched artillery and seriously outnumbered, managed to put a strong fight against the Pakistani army and kept them engaged at a fair distance from the post until the air cover arrived. Chandpuri's men only had a section of MMG’s, 2 Recoil-less Gun detachments and 81mm Mortars with which they kept Brigadier Tariq Mir-led army, of 2000-3000 Pak soldiers equipped with 50+ Sherman and T-59 China-made tanks, at bay for six hours of the night.

6. Air power.

At the crack of dawn, India Air Force came in action. It sent HF-24 Maruts and Hawker Hunter fighters to assist the Longewala post and, in no time, the fleet led by Air Controller (FAC) Major Atma Singh in a HAL Krishak turned the battle into India’s favour. With no air support from Pakistan Air Force, the Pak tanks and other armoured vehicles were sitting ducks to shoot at for the IAF.

7. Enemy runs for life.

Once both Indian wings (Army & Air force) got offensive, the Pakistani attack was first halted and then driven back.

8. The aftermath.

Courtesy their valour and great defensive advantage, Indian soldiers managed to put heavy loses on Pakistani army. At least 200 Pak soldiers lost their lives against only two Indian martyrs. Pakistanis also lost about 34 tanks and over 500 other armoured vehicles.

The Battle of Longewala was immortalised  in the semi-fictional movie, "Border" in which Sunny Deol played Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri. 

(Left )Major Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri

(Right) Sunny Deol

Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri (retd), passed away on the morning of November 17 2018, just five days before he would have celebrated his 78th birthday. 

He was decorated with Maha Vir Chakra for heroic stand-off against tanks and forcing the enemy to retreat.