LUDHIANA: Colonel G S Brar (retired), 79, can not maintain a grip with his left hand and lost the index finger on the hand 50 years ago, but he did not bother much about it.
“It is a matter of pride,” said the Army officer who was posted in volatile Chamb sector of Jammu and Kashmir during the 1971 war with Pakistan underway.
Col Brar, who now lives in Ludhiana, said he ordered a company of five Sikh Regiment as a major-rank officers when Pakistani troops launched an offensive against them.
“We were asked to provide a base for attacks against Marala headworks and hold the area, so that the strength we can cross to the other side.
Marshal MM Engineer, then AOC-in C of Western Air Command, wife and inquire about the health of Col GS Brar, then an officer in the main-rank, on December 6, however, they do an infantry attack on the night of December 3 and 4, and has taken over part of our defense.
They destroyed our kitchen, so we were not able to have a proper meal, “he said.
Col Brar injured in counter attacking his company was launched to repel the enemy of the Indian position.
“When we try to push them back, they threw a grenade near me and our people, but it did not explode.
Then, a Pakistani soldier standing about 25 yards fired a blast from an automatic rifle at me.
The bullet hit my left hand and my Sten gun, “recalls Colonel Brar.
As enemy bullets tearing flesh and bone Col Brar, the other Indian soldiers fought from Pakistan.
“We reclaim the defenses they had occupied after this.
There is a cause-effect on their side as well, “added Colonel Brar.
Despite the injury, Army officers are constantly running around and giving orders.
“I was then evacuated to an advanced dressing station (ADS),” Colonel Brar added.
Col Brar said at night and under bombardment, he was transferred to the Military Hospital at Udhampur.
While Colonel Brar was treated in Udhampur, his wife received a telegram about her being gone.
“My father was also an army officer and asked a childhood friend who was also in the Army to inspect.
That is how they came to know that I’m hurt, “he added.
Col Brar commanded the same unit again from 1982 to 1984.
“I am proud to lead the same unit again from 1982 to 1984,” col Brar added.
Col Brar opted for early retirement in 1990.
The first child was born two months before the firstborn warCol Brar was born just two months before the war in 1971 Indo-Pak.
“I got married on October 12, 1970.
My oldest son was born in October 1971, while my younger son was born in 1975.
My oldest son lives in New York, while the younger ones in Delhi.
I also have two granddaughters, “he said.
‘Senior Informed about the pack of build-up on border’About a half before the 1971 war, 5 Sikh Regiment was placed on the west side of the river Tawi in the Chamb sector.
“Even as the boss feels that Pakistan will not attack in the Chamb sector, we have told them that there was a build-up.
Our suspicions proved correct.
After starting the attack on the western front, they first launched air strikes on our defense on December 3 pm, followed by a heavy artillery attack and then infantry attacks.
We continue to struggle for three days before we were asked to pull to the eastern edge of Tawi on December 6, “Colonel G S Brar (Ret).
military service ran in his familyColonel G S Brar (retired) comes from a family with a rich military heritage.
Her father, Gen.
Daljit Singh Brar, was commissioned in the Army in 1942.
“He fought World War II and the 1965 war,” said Colonel Brar.
“Both his paternal grandparents and my mother fought the First World War and retired as Subedar majors,” he added.
Col Brar completed schooling from Lawrence School, Sanawar, in 1959.
“I joined the NDA after it and commissioned in the Army in August 1964.
Even the 1965 war was fought when I was more than a year in the Army, I have posted Nagaland, which is not active during the war, “said Colonel Brar.