Chandigarh: “Longewala Offensive by Pakistan is a misadventure launched by Pakistani soldiers without coordinated planning where he suffered the biggest losses without fighting and we won the day.
Our plane hunted an enemy tank like a duck sitting.
However, a big credit went to Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, then his department, and his men to hold a position against the enemy fire earthquake until the arrival of the Indian Air Force, “said Colonel Ajmer Singh Grewal (RET).
The key witnesses battle Longewala, Colonel Grewal recommended Brigadier Chandpuri for Maha VIR Chakra (MVC), the second highest galantry award, for heroic role during the Indo-Pak War 1971.
Kol Ajmer Singh together with Major HN Paliwal after the arrest of Islamgerh, 20 km inside Pakistan Battle Longewala, Chandpuri Major, with only 120 men, has frustrated attacks by Pakistan Brigade consisting of 2,800 soldiers supported by 45 tank armored regimens.
They hold positions against all odds.
The arrival of IAF.
Col Grewal remember that IAF has a field of fields in skyrocketing enemy tanks.
He never witnessed air action demonstrations even in peace, because air elements did Superbl Y work without Pakistani air disturbance.
There is no only enemy aircraft seen during the entire operation.
“Air Force (India) won the day for us …
it caused the destruction of unimaginable enemy tanks, vehicles and other equipment / shops,” he recalled.
The photos were taken in 1971Col Grewal, commander officers (CO) of the 17 Rajputana Rifles (RIF RIF), had gained a strengthening of the 23 Punjab company led by Major Chandpuri in the Battle of Longewala.
Given the decisive battle, the 86-year-old veteran said during his 17th battalion war RIF was positioned in Sadewala, about 8 km from Longewala, and they will be flown to launch attacks in other areas.
“Around 5.30 in the morning on December 5, I received a message that Longewala Post, led by Major Chandpuri, was under the siege and we had to strengthen the company,” he recalled and added that when he moved to give reinforcement, it was difficult since it was the area Being under the heavy shooting of armored regimens from Pakistani troops.
Even the 17 troops rif panicked because of the shooting by Pakistani tanks and suffering from several victims when advancing for strengthening.
“We reached near Longewala at around 8:30 a.m.
and found the situation very gloomy.
The post is under the siege of all corners and Chandpuri troops fighting without a commotion,” remember the senior veteran.
He said only after the Indian Air Force aircraft (IAF) destroyed a vulnerable Pakistani tank, the total calm applies in Longewala at 11:30 a.m.
According to the Grewal Col after the IAF operation was finished, he found Chandpuri and his people were seriously injured.
“Only someone with a true grit can survive in these circumstances.
I was fortunate to have witnessed extraordinary courage and unprecedented and determined forces against all obstacles in Longewala,” added Col Grewal.
According to Col Grewal, the unit has also moved to Sindh in Pakistan, opposite the Longewala area on December 9, and has a long-term up to 25 km in the Pakistani area, to Sochari / Gabbar City.
However, he was held back to fall back to Masit Waro Tar, closer to the Indian border due to maintenance problems.