Chandigarh: Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, the hero of the famous Battle of Longewala, died today. Chandpuri, who was suffering from cancer, died at the Fortis Hospital in Mohali, Punjab. He was 78.
Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was a major in the Indian Army during the war of 1971. The war, which saw India defeat Pakistan, led to the liberation of Bangladesh.
During the first days of the war, Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was post in the western sector.
He was commanding a small group of just over a 100 soldiers and successfully defended the Longewala border post in Rajasthan against around 2000 Pakistani soldiers who were backed by more than 40 tanks.
Chandpuri’s company managed to frustrate the Pakistani attempt to advance past the Longewala post for an entire night on December 4-5.
Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, which is India’s second-highest gallantry award, for his exceptional leadership during the Battle of Longewala.