Longewala battle hero Brigadier KS Chandpuri, who inspired Sunny Deol’s role in ‘Border’, passes away

Chandigarh: Historic Longewala battle hero and Maha Vir Chakra awardee Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri passed away at a Mohali hospital after a brief illness on Saturday morning.

He was 78 and is survived by his wife and three sons.

His cremation will be held with full military honours on Monday after close family members return from abroad.

Brig Chandpuri was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the nation’s second highest gallantry award, for his role in the battle of Longewala in the early days of the 1971 Indo-Pak war.

Chandpuri, who passed out from the Officers’ Training Academy, Chennai in 1963, was commissioned into the 23rd Battalion of the Punjab Regiment. He took part in the 1965 war in the western sector and also served in the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) at Gaza in Egypt for a year. He also served twice as an instructor at the Infantry School, Mhow.

In 1997, Bollywood film producer J P Dutta produced the award winning film ‘Border’ based on the Longewala battle and actor Sunny Deol played the character of Brig Chandpuri in the movie.

Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh condoled the passing away of Brig Kuldip Singh Chandpuri.

In a condolence message, he recalled the remarkable services of Brig Chandpuri as an astute and illustrious army officer who handled several military operations immaculately besides a prolific writer on defence preparedness and military warfare strategies.

He said that his exemplary and heroic leadership in the battle of Longewala would be ever remembered by one and all and specially inspire the young soldiers and officers of defence services to discharge their duties with utmost devotion, commitment and sincerity.

Describing the demise of Brig. Chandpuri a huge loss to military fraternity, Capt Amarinder said that in the death of a valiant soldier the nation has lost a great son of the soil.

Sharing his heartfelt sympathies with the bereaved family, relatives and friends, the Chief Minister prayed to the Almighty to give courage to bear this irreparable loss and grant eternal peace to the departed soul. (UNI)