Kuldip Singh Chandpuri

Brigadier (retired) Kuldip Singh Chandpuri is an Indian Army officer known for his heroic leadership in the famous Battle of Longewala. for which he was awarded Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) by the Indian Army. Border, a 1997 Bollywood film directed by J.P.Dutta, is an adaptation of the real-life battle, with Major Chandpuri being portrayed by Bollywood actor Sunny Deol.

Biography

Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was born into a Gurjar Sikh family at Montgomery (Undivided India), Punjab (India) and he currently lives in Chandigarh.

Career

Brig. Chandpuri was selected in the Indian Army in 1962, and commissioned in 1963 in 3 Battalion The Punjab Regiment, which is one of the oldest and highly decorated unit of the Indian army. He took part in the 1965 war in the western sector. After the war, Brig. Chandpuri served the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) at Gaza (Egypt) for a year. He also served twice as an instructor at the prestigious Infantry School, Mhow (MP) where the elite of the Indian army is imparted instructions and combat training.

Battle of Longewala

Kuldip Singh Chandpuri held the rank of major in the Indian Army's 23rd Battalion, Punjab Regiment when the Pakistan army attacked the Longewala post in the state of Rajasthan, India, early in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Chandpuri and his company of 120 soldiers defended the post at considerable odds against the 2000-3000 strong assault force of the 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 in the morning.

Chandpuri inspired his men, moving from bunker to bunker encouraging them in beating back the enemy until reinforcements arrived. Kuldip Singh 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 Indian Army.

Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri retired from the army as a brigadier.