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{{short description|Indian Army officer}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]]
| name = Kuldip Singh Chandpuri
| honorific_suffix = [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]]
| birth_date = {{birth date|1940|11|22|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2018|11|17|1940|11|22|df=yes}}<ref name="Kuldip999">{{cite news | url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/brigadier-kuldip-singh-chandpuri-the-heroic-border-man-who-defied-pakistani-tanks/articleshow/66666470.cms | title=Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri: the heroic 'Border' man who defied Pakistani tanks | newspaper=[[The Economic Times]] | date=17 November 2018 | access-date=17 November 2018}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Montgomery (town), British India|Montgomery]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[British Raj|British India]] (now in Pakistan)
| death_place = [[S.A.S. Nagar|Mohali]], [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Republic of India|India]]
| image = KuldipsinghchandpuriGujjar.jpg
| caption = Chandpuri as a Maj.
| nickname =
| allegiance = {{flagicon|India}} [[Republic of India]]
| branch = [[File:Flag of Indian Army.svg|24px]] [[Indian Army]]
| unit = [[Punjab Regiment (India)|23 Punjab]]
| serviceyears = 1963-1996{{Citation needed|date=November 2018}}
| rank = [[File:Brigadier of the Indian Army.svg|24px]] [[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]]
| commands =
| battles = [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1965]] [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1971]] [[Battle of Longewala]]
| awards = [[File:Maha Vir Chakra ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Maha Vir Chakra]] [[File:Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|32px]] [[Vishisht Seva Medal]]
| laterwork =
}}
[[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]] '''Kuldip Singh Chandpuri''' [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]], [[Vishisht Seva Medal|VSM]] (22 November 1940 – 17 November 2018) was a decorated [[Indian Army]] officer.<ref>{{cite web |title= Brig Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, MVC, VSM (retd) |url= http://twdi.in/node/1116 |publisher= The War Decorated India |access-date= 4 September 2013|url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140429205021/http://twdi.in/node/1116 |archive-date= 29 April 2014 }}</ref> He is known for his leadership in the [[Battle of Longewala]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]], for which he was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]], the second highest Indian military decoration, by the Indian government. The 1997 Hindi film [[Border (1997 film)|Border]] was based on the [[Battle of Longewala|battle]], with his role played by [[Sunny Deol]].<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/battle-of-longewala-hero-kuldip-singh-chandpuri-dies-1390427-2018-11-17 | title=1971 war hero Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, who inspired Border movie, dies | magazine=India Today | date=17 November 2018 | access-date=17 November 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hero-of-battle-of-longewala-brigadier-kuldip-singh-chandpuri-dies-5451279/ | title=Hero of Battle of Longewala, Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, dies | newspaper=The Indian Express | date=17 November 2018 | access-date=17 November 2018}}</ref> He was a councillor in the [[Municipal Corporation Chandigarh|Chandigarh Municipal Corporation]] from 2006 to 2011.<ref name="Kuldip999" />

==Early life==
Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was born on 22 November 1940 in [[Sikh]] family in [[Montgomery District|Montgomery]], [[Punjab (British India)|Punjab]], [[British Raj|British India]] (now in [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]], [[Pakistan]]).<ref name="Kuldip">{{cite web |title= In Conversation with: Brig Kuldip Singh Chandpuri|url= http://www.theasianconnectionsnewspaper.com/in-conversation-with-brig-kuldip-singh-chandpuri/ |publisher=The Asian Connections |date=3 May 2012 |access-date= 4 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020094938/http://www.theasianconnectionsnewspaper.com/in-conversation-with-brig-kuldip-singh-chandpuri/ |archive-date=20 October 2013}}</ref> His family then moved to their native village, Chandpur Rurki, in [[Balachaur]]. He was an active member of the [[National Cadet Corps (India)|NCC]] and cleared the NCC examination when he graduated from the Government College, [[Hoshiarpur]] in 1962.<ref name="Kuldip" /> Chandpuri was the third generation in his family who have served in the Indian Army as officers. Both his younger uncles were flying officers in the [[Indian Air Force]]. Chandpuri was the only child of his parents.

==Career==
In 1963, Chandpuri was commissioned from the [[Officers Training Academy]], [[Chennai]] into the 3rd battalion, [[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]] (3rd Punjab), which is one of the oldest and one of the most highly decorated regiments of the Indian Army. He took part in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]] in the western sector. After the war, he served in the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) in Gaza (Egypt) for a year. He also served twice as an instructor at the prestigious Infantry School in [[Mhow]], [[Madhya Pradesh]].<ref name="Kuldip" />

===Battle of Longewala===
Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was a [[major]] in 23 Punjab when the [[Pakistan Army]] attacked the [[Longewala]] post in [[Rajasthan]], India, early in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]. Chandpuri and his company of 120 soldiers defended the post, in spite of considerable odds, against the 2000-3000 strong assault force of the Pakistani 51st Infantry Brigade, backed by the 22nd Armored Regiment. Chandpuri and his company held the Pakistanis at bay for a full night until the [[Indian Air Force]] arrived to provide air support in the morning.

Chandpuri inspired his men, moving from bunker to bunker, encouraging them to beat back the enemy until reinforcements arrived. Chandpuri and his men inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and forced them to retreat, leaving behind twelve tanks. For his conspicuous gallantry and leadership, Chandpuri was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]] (MVC) by the government of India.

Chandpuri retired from the army as a brigadier.

==Maha Vir Chakra Citation==
The citation for Chandpuri's [[Maha Vir Chakra]] award reads as follows:
{{Quotation|{{center|
'''Gazette Notification: 18 Pres/72,12-2-72''' 
'''Operation: 1971 Cactus Lily''' 
'''Date of Award: 05 Dec 1971''' 
}}
'''Citation''': Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was commanding a company of the Punjab Regiment occupying a defended locality in the Rajasthan Sector. On 5th December 1971, in the early hours of the morning the enemy launched a massive attack on this locality with infantry and tanks. Major Chandpuri exhibited dynamic leadership in holding his command intact and steadfast.

Showing exceptional courage and determination, he inspired his men moving from bunker to bunker, encouraging them in beating back the enemy till reinforcements arrived. In this heroic defence, he inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and forced them to retreat leaving behind twelve tanks.

In this action, Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri displayed conspicuous gallantry, inspiring leadership and exceptional devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the Indian Army.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://twdi.in/node/1337 |title=Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Brig Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, MVC, VSM (Retd) @ TWDI |access-date=2014-11-09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140430013007/http://twdi.in/node/1337 |archive-date=2014-04-30 }}</ref>}}

==In popular culture==
* ''[[Border (1997 film)|Border]]'', a 1997 Hindi film directed by [[J.P.Dutta]] was an adaptation of the real-life battle, with Major Chandpuri being portrayed by Hindi film actor [[Sunny Deol]].<ref>{{cite web |title= The real-life hero who inspired 'Border' |url= http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-the-real-life-hero-who-inspired-border/20101122.htm |publisher= Rediff |date= 22 November 2010 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120725020028/http://www.rediff.com/news/slide-show/slide-show-1-the-real-life-hero-who-inspired-border/20101122.htm |archive-date= 25 July 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/sunny-deol-pays-tribute-1971-war-hero-brigadier-kuldeep-singh-chandpuri-5451355/ | title=Sunny Deol pays tribute to the 1971 war hero Brigadier Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri | newspaper=The Indian Express | date=17 November 2018 | access-date=17 November 2018}}</ref>

== Death ==
On 17 November 2018, Chandpuri died at the [[Fortis Healthcare|Fortis Hospital]], Mohali due to cancer, at the age of 77, five days before his 78th birthday.<ref>{{Cite news|date=17 November 2018|title=1971 war hero Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, who inspired Border movie, dies|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/battle-of-longewala-hero-kuldip-singh-chandpuri-dies-1390427-2018-11-17|access-date=26 June 2020|work=India Today|language=en}}</ref> He was survived by three sons.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Kuldip Singh Chandpuri: Hero Of Battle Of Longewala Who Defied Pak Tanks|last=IANS|url=https://www.ndtv.com/people/kuldip-singh-chandpuri-hero-of-battle-of-longewala-who-defied-pak-tanks-1949193|date=18 November 2018|access-date=26 June 2020|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

==Military Awards and Decorations==
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|colspan="4"|[[File:Maha Vir Chakra ribbon.svg|105px]] [[File:Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|105px]] [[File:Wound Medal-India.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND Samanya Seva medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Samar Seva Star Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Paschimi Star Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Raksha Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND Sangram Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND High Altitude Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND Videsh Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|105px]]
|-
|[[File:IND 25th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|105px]]
|[[File:UN Medal UNEF ribbon bar.svg|104px]]
|-
|}

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|colspan="1"|[[Maha Vir Chakra]]
|colspan="2"|[[Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|colspan="1"|[[Wound Medal (India)|Wound Medal]]
|-
|[[Samanya Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Long service awards|Samar Seva Star]]
|[[Paschimi Star]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Long service awards|Raksha Medal]]
|-
|[[Sangram Medal]]
|[[Sainya Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Long service awards|High Altitude Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Long service awards|Videsh Seva Medal]]
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Long service awards|25th Anniversary Independence Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Long service awards|20 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Long service awards|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[United Nations Emergency Force Medal|UN Emergency Force Medal]]
|-
|}

== Dates of rank ==
{|class="wikitable" style="background:white"
! Insignia !! Rank !! Component !! Date of rank
|-
|align="center" |[[File:2nd_Lieutenant_Indian_Army.gif|35px]] || [[Second Lieutenant]] || [[Indian Army]] || 30 June 1963 (emergency)<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=462 |date=14 November 1964 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> 16 January 1968 (substantive, with seniority from 15 January 1964 but for pay from 30 June 1963)<ref name="subs_Lt">{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=359 |date=26 March 1977 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Lieutenant_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Lieutenant]] || Indian Army || 30 June 1965 (emergency)<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=584 |date=13 November 1965 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref> 16 January 1968 (substantive, with seniority from 15 July 1966)<ref name="subs_Lt"/>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Captain_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]] || Indian Army || 15 July 1970<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=323 |date=8 April 1978 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Major_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Major]] || Indian Army || 15 July 1971<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1451 |date=31 October 1981 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Lieutenant_Colonel_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Lieutenant-Colonel]] || Indian Army || 10 February 1984 (substantive)<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=1372 |date=10 October 1987 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Colonel_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Colonel]] || Indian Army || 23 February 1987<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=645 |date=5 May 1990 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Brigadier_of_the_Indian_Army.svg|35px]] || [[Brigadier (India)|Brigadier]] || Indian Army || 1 December 1991<ref>{{cite news |title=Part I-Section 4: Ministry of Defence (Army Branch) |page=297 |date=13 February 1993 |publisher=The Gazette of India}}</ref>
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070204133635/http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/Images/0075.jpg Picture, Kuldip Singh Chandpuri (3rd from left) with his company]
* [http://www.sikh-history.com/sikhhist/personalities/military/mahavir_citations.html MVC citations, Sikh Personalities]

{{1971 Indo-Pak War}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chandpuri, Kuldip Singh}}
[[Category:1940 births]]
[[Category:2018 deaths]]
[[Category:Military leaders of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
[[Category:Punjabi people]]
[[Category:Indian Sikhs]]
[[Category:Sikh warriors]]
[[Category:Indian Army officers]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Punjab, India]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Vishisht Seva Medal]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Maha Vir Chakra]]
[[Category:People from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district]]

Kuldip Singh Chandpuri - Revision history

Bot at 19:34, 19 December 2022