Author: Rahul Singh, Laungewala (Jaisalmer)
Publication: Hindustan Times
Dated: February 25, 2008
Introduction: 1971 Indo-Pak war veteran says
India treats its soldiers shabbily
Laungewala, The scene of some of the bloodiest
fighting during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, has stirred patriotism and pride in
Defence Minister A.K. Antony's heart.
Barely 20 km from the border with Pakistan,
the Army took him 36 years back in time and presented to Antony a blow-by-blow
account of how a young major leading just 100 men triumphed over a formidable
attack by a Pakistani brigade (some 2,800 troops) backed by an armoured regiment
of 45 tanks.
The Battle of Laungewala (December 3-6) goes
down in the annals of military history as a classic case of human resolve
and motivation in the face of heavy odds. The saga of Major K.S. Chandpuri
(later brigadier), who etched his name in war folklore after being awarded
the Maha Vir Chakra, touched Antony. Just as it had inspired film director
J.P. Dutta to make Bollywood blockbuster Border.
The defence minister said on Sunday, "Major
Chandpuri and his men are a shining example of valour and sacrifice. By sheer
determination they triumphed over heavy odds." But the man who scripted
that historic victory says he is saddened by the way India treats her war
heroes.
Brigadier Chandpuri (retd) told the Hindustan
Times, "War heroes are not getting their due. Take the case of Subedar
Bana Singh (a Param Vir Chakra awardee), who gets a measly monthly allowance
of Rs 160 or so. There are so many others like him. I feel helpless. If the
tradition of gallantry has to be kept alive, the country has to learn to honour
its soldiers."
Chandpuri's Alpha company (23 Punjab) - equipped
with merely jeeps with recoilless guns, medium machine guns, 81 mm mortars
and small arms -inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. The combat ratio of 27:1,
as regards manpower and equipment, was in favour of the Pakistanis. IAF support
also proved crucial.
The scary prospect of being overrun by the
enemy had made Chandpuri's men edgy. He told them at the beginning of the
battle in chaste Punjabi, "Anyone who is afraid to face the enemy is
free to run away now, although it will bring shame to the battalion and its
ancestors. But remember I intend to stand and fight to the last." His
leadership and dedication motivated his men to fight to finish.
Antony dubbed it a "fascinating battle,"
after taking a ride on a T-90 tank, along with Army chief General Deepak Kapoor,
on same shifting sands of Thar where Pakistanis suffered a bloody defeat at
the hands of Chandpuri and his men, six of whom were given gallantry awards.
Chandpuri said, "I do not want to take
any credit. I have no regrets. But war heroes are a fast diminishing community.
How many PVC winners from previous wars are alive? Lets honour our heroes
while they are still around."
- rahul.singh@hindustantimes.com
