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{{Short description|Indian Army officer (1932–2018)}} | {{Short description|Indian Army officer (1932–2018)}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=July | {{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=November | {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} | ||
{{Infobox military person | {{Infobox military person | ||
| honorific_prefix = [[Brigadier]] | | honorific_prefix = [[Brigadier]] | ||
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==Career== | ==Career== | ||
Sandhu was [[officer (armed forces)|commissioned]] into the [[Indian Army Armoured Corps]] on 13 December 1953.<ref name="Chakravorty"/> He served with the [[3rd Cavalry Regiment (India)|3rd Cavalry Regiment]] and the [[65th Armoured Regiment (India)|65th Armoured Regiment]].<ref name="Tribune"/> He served in the [[Khemkaran]] sector during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]],<ref name="Chakravorty"/> during which he participated in the [[Battle of Asal Uttar]] on 8–10 September 1965,<ref name="Indian Express">{{cite web |title=Last rites of 1971 Indo-Pak war hero performed with full military honours |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/last-rites-of-1971-indo-pak-war-hero-performed-with-full-military-honours-5118908/ |website=indianexpress.com |access-date=13 July | Sandhu was [[officer (armed forces)|commissioned]] into the [[Indian Army Armoured Corps]] on 13 December 1953.<ref name="Chakravorty"/> He served with the [[3rd Cavalry Regiment (India)|3rd Cavalry Regiment]] and the [[65th Armoured Regiment (India)|65th Armoured Regiment]].<ref name="Tribune"/> He served in the [[Khemkaran]] sector during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]],<ref name="Chakravorty"/> during which he participated in the [[Battle of Asal Uttar]] on 8–10 September 1965,<ref name="Indian Express">{{cite web |title=Last rites of 1971 Indo-Pak war hero performed with full military honours |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/last-rites-of-1971-indo-pak-war-hero-performed-with-full-military-honours-5118908/ |website=indianexpress.com |access-date=13 July 2020}}</ref> and his unit was responsible for destroying several Pakistani [[M47 Patton]] [[tank]]s for which he was [[mentioned in dispatches]].<ref name="Chakravorty"/><ref>{{cite web |title=1971 war hero cremated |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/nation/news-detail-566923 |website=tribuneindia.com |access-date=13 July 2020}}</ref> He transferred to the [[Dogra Regiment]] in 1970.<ref name="Chakravorty"/><ref name="Tribune"/> | ||
At the time of the [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1971]], he held the rank of [[lieutenant colonel]], commanding the 10th Battalion, Dogra Regiment.<ref name="Chakravorty"/><ref name="Tribune" /> As part of [[Operation Cactus-Lilly]],<ref name="WDIT"/> his battalion was tasked to capture an enemy position in the Western Sector, which was located at the eastern end of a bridge over the [[Ravi River]] at [[Dera Baba Nanak]]. Control of the bridge was considered strategically important because it enabled the [[Pakistan Army]] to launch an offensive into India, potentially threatening [[Pathankot]], [[Beas City]] and Amritsar.<ref name="Chakravorty"/> | At the time of the [[Indo-Pakistan War of 1971]], he held the rank of [[lieutenant colonel]], commanding the 10th Battalion, Dogra Regiment.<ref name="Chakravorty"/><ref name="Tribune" /> As part of [[Operation Cactus-Lilly]],<ref name="WDIT"/> his battalion was tasked to capture an enemy position in the Western Sector, which was located at the eastern end of a bridge over the [[Ravi River]] at [[Dera Baba Nanak]]. Control of the bridge was considered strategically important because it enabled the [[Pakistan Army]] to launch an offensive into India, potentially threatening [[Pathankot]], [[Beas City]] and Amritsar.<ref name="Chakravorty"/> | ||
The Pakistan Army had extensively fortified the position with a network of [[bunker]]s that were connected by tunnels, and contained [[machine gun]]s and [[anti-tank weapon]]s,<ref name="Indian Army">{{Cite web|url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/narinder-singh-sandhu|title=LT COL Narinder Singh Sandhu Maha Vir Chakra|publisher=Indian Army |work=Gallantry Awards (Govt of India official website)|access-date=16 July | The Pakistan Army had extensively fortified the position with a network of [[bunker]]s that were connected by tunnels, and contained [[machine gun]]s and [[anti-tank weapon]]s,<ref name="Indian Army">{{Cite web|url=https://gallantryawards.gov.in/Awardee/narinder-singh-sandhu|title=LT COL Narinder Singh Sandhu Maha Vir Chakra|publisher=Indian Army |work=Gallantry Awards (Govt of India official website)|access-date=16 July 2020}}</ref><ref name="WDIT"/> and it was strongly held. At 17:30 on 5 December 1971, Sandhu led about 420 men of his battalion in the assault, initially mounted on 21 [[tank]]s. The tanks became bogged in the marshes along the Ravi River, so they dismounted and made the remaining {{cvt|5|km}} to the bridge on foot. Surprising the defenders with a charge from {{cvt|15|m}}, the Indian troops shouted the battle cry "Durga Mata Ki Jai", invoking the Hindu goddess of war, [[Durga]].<ref name="Chakravorty"/> Sandhu led the assault with "grim determination",<ref name="Chakravorty"/> and without regard for his own safety,<ref name="WDIT"/> and the assault resulted in fierce fighting during which Sandhu fought from bunker to bunker,<ref name="Chakravorty"/> and was wounded in the leg.<ref name="WDIT"/> Once the position was captured, he then reorganised his troops despite his wound.<ref name="Indian Army"/><ref name="WDIT"/> During the assault the 10th Battalion suffered five killed and ten wounded; 22 Pakistani defenders were killed and 14 were captured. A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was also captured by the Indians.<ref name="Chakravorty"/> | ||
For his actions during this operation, Sandhu was commended by the Indian government for his gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty. He was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]],<ref name="WDIT"/><ref name="Chakravorty"/> the second-highest award for gallantry available to members of the [[Indian Armed Forces]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra|url=https://www.india9.com/i9show/Mahavir-Chakra-27619.htm |website=india9.com|access-date=13 July | For his actions during this operation, Sandhu was commended by the Indian government for his gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty. He was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra]],<ref name="WDIT"/><ref name="Chakravorty"/> the second-highest award for gallantry available to members of the [[Indian Armed Forces]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mahavir Chakra|url=https://www.india9.com/i9show/Mahavir-Chakra-27619.htm |website=india9.com|access-date=13 July 2020}}</ref> The award was promulgated on [[Independence Day (India)|Independence Day]] in 1972.<ref name="Indian Army"/> | ||
Sandhu later served as the Deputy Director General of the [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Haryana]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] and [[Chandigarh]] [[National Cadet Corps (India)|National Cadet Corps]] Directorate.<ref name="Tribune"/> He retired from the army as a [[brigadier]], and after retirement was active in veterans' and gallantry award recipients' matters. He died of colon cancer on 30 March 2018, aged 85 in Chandigarh.<ref name="WDIT"/><ref name="Tribune">{{cite news |date=31 March 2018|title=1971 war hero passes away|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/chandigarh/1971-war-hero-passes-away-566545|newspaper=The Tribune}}</ref><ref name="Indian Express"/> A contingent from the 3rd Cavalry and Dogra Regiments formed a ceremonial guard at his funeral, which was also attended by several senior military officers.<ref name="Indian Express"/> | Sandhu later served as the Deputy Director General of the [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], [[Haryana]], [[Himachal Pradesh]] and [[Chandigarh]] [[National Cadet Corps (India)|National Cadet Corps]] Directorate.<ref name="Tribune"/> He retired from the army as a [[brigadier]], and after retirement was active in veterans' and gallantry award recipients' matters. He died of colon cancer on 30 March 2018, aged 85 in Chandigarh.<ref name="WDIT"/><ref name="Tribune">{{cite news |date=31 March 2018|title=1971 war hero passes away|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/chandigarh/1971-war-hero-passes-away-566545|newspaper=The Tribune}}</ref><ref name="Indian Express"/> A contingent from the 3rd Cavalry and Dogra Regiments formed a ceremonial guard at his funeral, which was also attended by several senior military officers.<ref name="Indian Express"/> | ||
Latest revision as of 06:40, 30 September 2022
Narinder Singh Sandhu | |
|---|---|
 Narinder Singh Sandhu MVC | |
| Born | 1 September 1932 Narli, Amritsar, Punjab, British India |
| Died | 30 March 2018 (aged 85) Chandigarh, India |
| Allegiance |  Republic of India |
| Service/ |  Indian Army |
| Years of service | 1953– |
| Rank |  Brigadier |
| Unit | 3rd Cavalry Regiment 65th Armoured Regiment Dogra Regiment |
| Commands held | 10th Battalion, Dogra Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 |
| Awards |  Maha Vir ChakraMention in dispatches |
Brigadier Narinder Singh Sandhu MVC (1 September 1932 – 30 March 2018) was an Indian Army officer who was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC), the second-highest Indian military decoration, for gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. Sandhu was commissioned into the Indian Army Armoured Corps in 1953, and participated in the Battle of Asal Uttar during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, and was mentioned in dispatches. He transferred to the Dogra Regiment in 1970, and it was for his performance as commanding officer of the 10th Battalion, Dogra Regiment during an assault on a fortified Pakistan Army position that he was awarded the MVC. He retired as a brigadier and was active in veterans' and gallantry award recipients' matters until his death of colorectal cancer in 2018.
Early life and family[edit | edit source]
Narinder Singh Sandhu was born on 1 September 1932 at Narli, Amritsar, in the British province of Punjab, the son of Shri Hari Singh. His grandfather, Thakur Singh, was a major in the British Indian Army in World War I during which he was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry; he was subsequently made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.[1] He attended Khalsa College, Amritsar. His wife's name was Harinder, and they had two children: a son, Sandeep; and a daughter, Mandeep; both were born in 1965.[2] Mandeep married Lieutenant General Alok Singh Kler.[3] Sandhu's uncle and younger brother also served with distinction in the Indian Army.[1]
Career[edit | edit source]
Sandhu was commissioned into the Indian Army Armoured Corps on 13 December 1953.[1] He served with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment and the 65th Armoured Regiment.[4] He served in the Khemkaran sector during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965,[1] during which he participated in the Battle of Asal Uttar on 8–10 September 1965,[3] and his unit was responsible for destroying several Pakistani M47 Patton tanks for which he was mentioned in dispatches.[1][5] He transferred to the Dogra Regiment in 1970.[1][4]
At the time of the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, he held the rank of lieutenant colonel, commanding the 10th Battalion, Dogra Regiment.[1][4] As part of Operation Cactus-Lilly,[2] his battalion was tasked to capture an enemy position in the Western Sector, which was located at the eastern end of a bridge over the Ravi River at Dera Baba Nanak. Control of the bridge was considered strategically important because it enabled the Pakistan Army to launch an offensive into India, potentially threatening Pathankot, Beas City and Amritsar.[1]
The Pakistan Army had extensively fortified the position with a network of bunkers that were connected by tunnels, and contained machine guns and anti-tank weapons,[6][2] and it was strongly held. At 17:30 on 5 December 1971, Sandhu led about 420 men of his battalion in the assault, initially mounted on 21 tanks. The tanks became bogged in the marshes along the Ravi River, so they dismounted and made the remaining 5 km (3.1 mi) to the bridge on foot. Surprising the defenders with a charge from 15 m (49 ft), the Indian troops shouted the battle cry "Durga Mata Ki Jai", invoking the Hindu goddess of war, Durga.[1] Sandhu led the assault with "grim determination",[1] and without regard for his own safety,[2] and the assault resulted in fierce fighting during which Sandhu fought from bunker to bunker,[1] and was wounded in the leg.[2] Once the position was captured, he then reorganised his troops despite his wound.[6][2] During the assault the 10th Battalion suffered five killed and ten wounded; 22 Pakistani defenders were killed and 14 were captured. A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was also captured by the Indians.[1]
For his actions during this operation, Sandhu was commended by the Indian government for his gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra,[2][1] the second-highest award for gallantry available to members of the Indian Armed Forces.[7] The award was promulgated on Independence Day in 1972.[6]
Sandhu later served as the Deputy Director General of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh National Cadet Corps Directorate.[4] He retired from the army as a brigadier, and after retirement was active in veterans' and gallantry award recipients' matters. He died of colon cancer on 30 March 2018, aged 85 in Chandigarh.[2][4][3] A contingent from the 3rd Cavalry and Dogra Regiments formed a ceremonial guard at his funeral, which was also attended by several senior military officers.[3]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Chakravorty, B. (1995). Stories of Heroism: PVC & MVC Winners. Allied Publishers. ISBN 9788170235163.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 "Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Brig Narinder Singh Sandhu, MVC". The War Decorated India & Trust.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Last rites of 1971 Indo-Pak war hero performed with full military honours". indianexpress.com. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "1971 war hero passes away". The Tribune. 31 March 2018.
- ↑ "1971 war hero cremated". tribuneindia.com. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "LT COL Narinder Singh Sandhu Maha Vir Chakra". Gallantry Awards (Govt of India official website). Indian Army. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
- ↑ "Mahavir Chakra". india9.com. Retrieved 13 July 2020.