https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Hardev_Singh_KlerHardev Singh Kler - Revision history2026-07-31T11:06:22ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=Hardev_Singh_Kler&diff=502089&oldid=prevDelorisQha at 13:49, 5 May 20262026-05-05T13:49:11Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian army officer (1924–2016)}}<br />
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2026}}<br />
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}}{{Infobox military person<br />
| honorific_prefix = [[Major general (India)|Major General]]<br />
| name = Hardev Singh Kler<br />
| birth_name = Hardev Singh Kler<br />
| other_name = H. S. Kler<br />
| nickname = Harry<br />
| honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals|commas=on|size=100%|country=IND|MVC|AVSM}}<br />
| native_name = <br />
| native_name_lang = <br />
| image = <br />
| image_size = <br />
| alt = <br />
| caption = <br />
| birth_date = {{birth date|1924|9|3|df=y}}<br />
| birth_place = [[Ludhiana]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[British Raj|British India]]<br />
| death_date = {{death date and age|2016|5|27|1924|9|3|df=y}}<br />
| death_place = [[Walnut, California]], U.S.<br />
| burial_place = <br />
| burial_label = <br />
| burial_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} --><br />
| allegiance = {{flag|British India}}<br>{{flag|India}}<br />
| branch = {{army|British Raj}}<br>{{army|India}}<br />
| service_years = 1943–1988<br />
| rank = [[File:Major General of the Indian Army.svg|24px]] [[Major general (India)|Major General]]<br />
| service_number = IC-493<br />
| unit = [[File:Logo of Indian Corps of Signals.png|left|40px]][[Corps of Signals (India)]]<br />
| battles = {{tree list}}<br />
* [[World War II]]<br />
** [[Burma Campaign]]<br />
* [[India–Pakistan war of 1965]]<br />
** [[Battle of Haji Pir Pass (1965)]]<br />
* [[India–Pakistan war of 1971]]<br />
** [[Bangladesh Liberation War]]<br />
*** [[Battle of Kamalpur|Battle of Jamalpur]]<br />
*** [[Defence of Kamalpur]]<br />
*** [[Tangail Airdrop]]<br />
{{tree list/end}}<br />
| battles_label = <br />
| awards = [[File:Maha Vir Chakra ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Maha Vir Chakra]]<br/>[[File:Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]<ref>{{cite book |title=Indian Armed Forces Yearbook |date=1971 |publisher=Indian youth. |page=486 |language=en}}</ref><br />
| spouse = <br />
| relations = [[Indian Army ranks and insignia#Commissioned Officers|Captain]] Chhajja Singh Kler, {{Post-nominals|country=GBR|OBI}} (father)<br>[[Lieutenant general (India)|Lt Gen.]] Gurdev Singh Kler, {{Post-nominals|country=IND|AVSM}} (brother)<br><br />
[[Wing Commander]] D. J. Kler, [[Vayu Sena Medal|VM]] (son)<br />
| other_work = <br />
| signature = <br />
| website = <br />
}}<br />
<br />
'''Major General Hardev Singh Kler''', {{Post-nominals|commas=on|country=IND|MVC|AVSM}} (3 September 1924 – 27 May 2016) was an [[Indian Army]] [[commissioned officer|officer]], known for leading India's first brigade which secured vital inroads to [[Dacca]] during the liberation of [[Bangladesh]] in [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] for which he was awarded with [[Maha Vir Chakra]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=BORN TO LEAD|url=https://salute.co.in/born-to-lead/|access-date=18 January 2026}}</ref><br />
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== Early life==<br />
Kler was born on 3 September 1924 in [[Kakrala Kalan]] village near [[Ludhiana]], [[Punjab]], India into a military family. His father Chhajja Singh was a Honorary Captain, his elder brother Shamsher Singh also served in Indian Army, his younger brother Gurdev Singh Kler retired as a [[Lieutenant General]], and Kler's son Devender Jeet was a decorated [[Indian Air Force]] veteran.<ref name="hp">{{cite web |title=Major General Hardev Singh Kler MVC |url=https://honourpoint.in/profile/maj-gen-hardev-singh-kler-mvc/ |website=Honourpoint |access-date=26 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=MVCs for senior commanders: Brig Hardev Singh Kler and Brig Anand Sarup |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/mvcs-for-senior-commanders-brig-hardev-singh-kler-and-brig-anand-sarup-277934/ |access-date=26 January 2026 |work=[[The Tribune (India)|The Tribune]] |date=4 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref><br />
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== Army career ==<br />
Kler was commissioned into the [[Indian Army]] in 1943, and in 1965 he was deployed as the [[Staff (military)|General Staff Officer 1]] of the [[19th Infantry Division (India)|19th Infantry Division]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Panag |first1=H. S. |author1-link=H. S. Panag |title=A general who wasn’t the ‘chosen one’, but became the man of the hour in 1965 |url=https://theprint.in/opinion/a-general-who-wasnt-the-chosen-one-but-became-the-man-of-the-hour-in-1965/170045/ |access-date=26 January 2026 |work=[[ThePrint]] |date=28 December 2018}}</ref> Serving as a [[Brigadier]], Kler played a major role in the [[India–Pakistan war of 1971]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Liton |first1=Shakhawat |title=Hero of Jamalpur war also had son fighting {{!}} The Daily Star |url=https://www.thedailystar.net/hero-of-jamalpur-war-also-had-son-fighting-57109 |access-date=26 January 2026 |work=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]] |date=25 December 2014 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Shashi |first1=Shyam Singh |title=Defenders of India: Victory of Peace & Liberty |date=1972 |publisher=Indian School Supply Depot, Publication Division |page=275 |language=en}}</ref> Kler led the [[Brigade|95 Mountain Brigade]] in the war.<ref>{{cite book |title=Indian Defence Review |date=1995 |publisher=Lancer International |page=73 |language=en}}</ref><br />
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===1965===<br />
{{main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1965|Battle of Haji Pir Pass (1965)}}<br />
[[Lt. Col.]] Kler did not lead the assault column at Haji Pir Pass, but as GSO-I of 19 Infantry Division, he was centrally involved in the operational planning and control of the sector, including actions linked to the capture and holding of Haji Pir Pass.<ref>{{Cite web|title=MVCs for senior commanders: Brig Hardev Singh Kler and Brig Anand Sarup|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/features/mvcs-for-senior-commanders-brig-hardev-singh-kler-and-brig-anand-sarup-277934/|access-date=19 January 2026}}</ref><br />
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===1971===<br />
{{main|Indo-Pakistani War of 1971}}<br />
<br />
Among the architects of the 1971 victory, is known for his battlefield leadership and iron resolve. Commanding 95 Mountain Brigade, he spearheaded a lightning advance through [[Baksiganj Upazila|Kamalpur]], [[Jamalpur District|Jamalpur]] and [[Mymensingh]], breaking fortified Pakistani defences and reaching the outskirts of [[Dhaka|Dacca]] in barely ten days. His handling of the Jamalpur battle reflected both martial honour and ruthless clarity of purpose. <br />
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== Maha Vir Chakra ==<br />
Kler was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]], India's second highest gallantry award, in 1972.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Singh |first1=Jodh |last2=Khera |first2=P. N. |title=Indira's India |date=1972 |publisher=Indian School Supply Depot |page=412 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Gallantry Awards {{!}} Ministry of Defence, Government of India |url=https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3599 |website=www.gallantryawards.gov.in |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231164825/https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/awardee/3599 |archive-date=31 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref><br />
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{{Blockquote|{{center|'''Gazette Notification: 12 Pres/1972,8.2.71'''}}<br />
<br />
{{center|'''Date of Award: 1972'''}}<br />
'''Citation:'''<br />
Brigadier Hardev Singh Kler was commanding a Mountain Brigade on the Eastern Front during the recent operations against Pakistan. He led the advance from Kamalpur uplo river Turag, which involved clearing of enemy opposition at Kamalpur, Bakshiganj, Jamalpur, Tangail, Mirzapur and the west bank of River Turag, in addition to several delaying on by the enemy in between. During all these actions, Brigadier Hardev Singh Kler was personally present with the leading troops and directed the operations with complete dis-regard for his life. His handling of the troops during Jamalpur battle showed great professional skill and by personally going into the thick of the battle, he provided great inspiration of his troops who had laid siege behind enemy positions south of Jamalpur. Despite heavy casualties, he directed the operations so skilfully and courageously that all attempts by the enemy to break through were foiled. He inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and captured 379 prisoners as well as large quantities of weapons and ammunition.<br />
Throughout these operations, Brigadier Hardev Singh Kler displayed outstanding courage, inspiring leadership and complete disregard of personal safety in the face of the enemy in Keeping with the best traditions of the Army.}}<br />
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== Death ==<br />
Kler died in [[Walnut, California]] on 27 May 2016, at the age of 91.<ref name="hp"/><br />
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== In popular culture ==<br />
* The surname Kaler of the lead character in the Hindi movie "[[Border 2]]" portrayed by [[Sunny Deol]] appears to be inspired by him.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Border 2 True Story: Who was Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler, played by Sunny Deol?|url=https://www.truescoopnews.com/amp/story/ott/border-2-true-story-who-was-lt-col-fateh-singh-kaler-played-by-sunny-deol|access-date=18 January 2026}}</ref><br />
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== References ==<br />
{{reflist}}<br />
<br />
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kler, Hardev Singh}}<br />
[[Category:1924 births]]<br />
[[Category:2016 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]<br />
[[Category:Recipients of the Maha Vir Chakra]]</div>DelorisQha