BRIGADIER KULDEEP SINGH CHANDPURI, MAHAVIR CHAKRA, VASHISHT SEVA MEDAL…..

…….a tribute to an outstanding Soldier by Brig Injo Gakhal

The genes of valour were tempered in the First World War, reinforced during the Second World War and decorated in the third generation at Longewala. S. Karam Singh, the grandfather, served with XXXVI Sikhs(4 SIKH-Saragarhi Battalion) in Mesopotamia in WW-1, followed by S Wattan Singh , the father who served in the St John’s Ambulance Brigade during the Second WW. Hardships and hard work are companions that build character, S Karam Singh decided to move the family from their rain dependent farming to canal irrigated fertile lands that he had invested in. In early 1938 the family left Village Chandpur Rorki (7 Kms from Garh Shankar on Noorpur Bedi road) for Chack 161/9L, Tehsil Hadappa in the Montgomery (now in Pakistan) district. S Karam singh had invested in 6 Morabas of fertile land. Life began afresh for this hard working family of Karam singh and his four brothers, Sant singh, Karam singh, Indar singh & Udham singh . Wattan singh lived in Motgomery town while the rest were at Chack 161. It was here that Kuldeep Singh was born on 22 Nov 1940, his two sisters followed. Things were beginning to look up, however, providence had other plans and Partition happened. A young seven year old saw murder, loot and rape from close quarters, till his mother, sisters and him were evacuated by the Army to Amritsar, where Col Assa Singh a family friend provided shelter. The male members of the family had to trudge back in different groups avoiding murdering marauders. The family reunited at Chandpur Rorki and set about stitching their lives together. The loss of fertile agricultural base was partly compensated when some land of repatriated Muslims was allotted to the family at Village Saroya, Tehsil Balachaur, not far from Chandpur Rorki. As elders set about building life anew, young Kuldeep set about educating himself. Studies were enjoyable but football even more, but as lives were being built over again one had to help with chores in farming. It was a hard grind, school, followed by churning the fodder machine wheel and feeding the cattle. The young shoulders were strengthening under the weight of responsibilities. This is where young Kuldeep Singh grew up, studying, helping out on the farm and when time permitted playing Football that had caught his fancy. After passing District Board High school, from Saroya, football took Kuldeep Singh to SGS Khalsa college, Mahilpur, which was considered a nursery of the game. The next leap based on football was to government college Hoshiarpur. While still undergoing graduation Kuldeep Singh became an under officer in NCC, participating in the Republic Day Parade of 1962 as part of the NCC contingent. Later the same year the Chinese invasion happened. Kuldeep singh’s leaning towards an Army career found opposition from his mother. About this time Chief Minister of Punjab S Partap Singh Kairon, visited the college in Hoshiarpur, seeking volunteers to fight the Nations enemy’s. Nothing could now stop young Kuldeep singh who joined the Officers Training Academy, Madras, passing out from there on 30 June 1963. 2 Lieutenant Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri joined 3Rd Battalion the Punjab Regiment. A promising military career had been launched.
The Indian Army was weighed down by the humiliation of the Chinese aggression, newer equipment was inducted and the entire focus was on training. For a young officer it was an ideal learning opportunity. Soon, the Indo-Pakistan September 1965 war happened and 3 Punjab was defending the Beas Bridge as the enemy armored thrust threatened to cut off a major chunk of Punjab. Being a reserve battalion 3 Punjab saw frequent changes in tasks and locations, all adding to the experience of Lt Chandpuri. In Oct 1965, the Battalion moved to Poona (now Pune) for its UN Mission assignment UNIEF in Gaza for a year. An international assignment early in ones military career always helps widen ones perspective, so it did for Capt Chandpuri. On completion of the UN assignment 3 Punjab landed in Sunderbani (J&K), from where Capt Chandpuri proceeded on Platoon weapons course, returning with an instructor grading and Best student award. On 10 Dec 1967 Capt Kuldeep singh Chandpuri married Ms Surinder Kaur whose father S Baldev Singh was a Dy Superintendent of Police in the Vigilance Department of Punjab Police. A stint as General staff officer Grade 3(GSO3) in Sikkim followed in 1968. A GSO3 being an operational appointment Capt Chandpuri learnt operational details from his association with Maj Gen Inder Gill, the General officer Commanding who had an exceptional war record. In May 1971, Capt Chandpuri was posted to 23 Punjab, then located at Bikaner with an operational role in Jaisalmer sector of the Thar desert. 23 Punjab was then commanded by Lt Col Md Khurshid Hussain also of 3 Punjab, but not particularly fond of Chandpuri. Maj Chandpuri after his promotion was assigned the command of Alfa (Sikh) company, (Punjab Battalions have a mix of two Sikh & two Dogra Companies). Soon Major Chandpuri , was detailed for a month long familiarization with the operational area, which was to pay great dividends in the war that was to follow. Maj Chandpuri diligently studied the terrain in detail going over from one sand dune to the other. After a sweat soaked month under the unbearable sun, Maj Chandpuri was sure of his bearings, little realizing that time and events were beckoning him to claim his glory. The Indo-Pak war of Dec 1971 was about to unfold.

Anticipating the war, 23 Punjab had occupied its battle positions, Major Chandpuri’s Alfa Company was defending the Logewala sweet water position, while the remaining Battalion was occupying a Battalion defended area at Sadewala. The remaining brigade was to Tanot. The Longewala position was reasonably well fortified with anti-Tank mines laid by the Pioneer section largely towards the South West . The only wire fence that circumvented the position was basically laid to keep out the wild camels that came sniffing for water. This wire was to later prove the undoing of the attackers. A section each of 81 MM Mortars, 7.62 MMG and 106 mm RCLs were in location. Having patrolled the areas around and fortified the trenches the Sikhs were confident of themselves. Intelligence inputs pointed to a Pakistani attack, sure enough on 03 Dec 1971 air strikes on all Indian airfields announced the start of the war on the western front. Lt Dharamvir, the Company Officer with Maj Chandpuri, who was keeping tabs of the enemy reported large columns of tanks and Infantry moving towards Longewala. Maj Chandpuri collected his men spoke to them about their rich martial traditions and the Gurus blessings, urging them to hold fast at all costs. “Loon day mull chakon da wayla agaya” (time to repay the Nation is upon us) he said. A series of Jaikars “Jo bole so nihal, Sat Sari Akal” reverberated amongst the vast expanse of the dunes. Maj Chandpuri realized that his motivational tirade had hit home. The battle that unfolded is well documented and gave Sunny Deol’s flagging career a great thrust. (Today when people use Sunny Deol’s name to recall Maj Chandpuri, it hurts us soldiers). The crux was holding fast despite the overwhelming enemy tank’s, artillery bombardment and infantry attacks. It needed grit and faith, both amply displayed by Maj Chandpuri. The morning after saw the Indian Air Force decimate the Pakistani tanks. It was the grit of Maj Chandpuri, his motivational skills his faith in God and his men that the battle ended the way it did. The strand of wire that had kept the camels away also kept the Pakistani’s at bay! The Maha Vir Chakra awarded to Maj KS Chandpuri was an apt recognition of his valour & professionalism.

As Col Chandpuri progressed in life, successfully commanding his Battalion, as Brigadier commanded 100 Brigade and the Punjab Regimental Centre, besides other staff appointments. In his entire military career his earthy and simple ways came to the fore. A son of the soil he remained a teetotaler and vegetarian all his life, simple of habit and strong of character was Brig Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri , MVC. His dedicated services were recognized by the Nation by way of the award of Vashisht Seva Medal. By now he had established his credentials in the Track and Field and was a listed IOA judge, frequently called upon to lend his services at international meets. His ability for hard work and constantly learn were not diminished by age. Post retirement Brig Chandpuri , MVC,VSM worked with Godrej & Boyce as their Security advisor for many years. He was on the board of directors of the PESCO and a nominated member in the UT council. In all the appointments his sincerity, simplicity and earthiness endeared him to all whose lives he touched.
On 17 Nov 2018, just five days short of his 78Th Birthday Brig Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri,MVC,VSM breathed his last. His passing is a loss to the entire soldier’s brotherhood and those whose lives he touched however fleetingly. Soldiers may fade away, but their valour lives forever. Brig Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri,MVC,VSM Amar Rahain and may the noble soul rest in the heaven above till eternity !!
Brig Indrajeet Singh Gakhal