Narinder Singh Sandhu
Narinder Singh Sandhu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 September 1932 Amritsar, Punjab, British India |
| Died | 30 March 2018 (aged 85) Chandigarh, India |
| Allegiance |  Republic of India |
| Service/ |  Indian Army |
| Rank |  Brigadier |
| Unit | 10 Dogra |
| Commands held | 10 Dogra |
| Battles/wars | Indo-Pakistan War of 1965 Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 |
| Awards |  Maha Vir Chakra[1] |
Brigadier Narinder Singh Sandhu MVC (1 September 1932 – 30 March 2018) was a decorated Indian Army officer who was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the second highest Indian military decoration for his role in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.
Military career
Brigadier Narinder Singh Sandhu was commissioned into the 10th battalion, Dogra Regiment. He took part in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 as well as the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971.
At the time of the 1971 war, he held the rank of a Lieutenant Colonel. The 10th Dogra Regiment, commanded by Lt Col Narender Singh Sandhu, was tasked to capture the Dera Baba Nanak bridge which is a road-and-rail double bridge which sits over the Ravi River and connects Indian towns with Sialkot and Narowal in Pakistan and was in Pakistani control. It was necessary that the bridge must be in Indian control so as to facilitate the Indian offensive into this area of Pakistani Punjab.
The Pakistan Army had fortified the area around the bridge with concrete bunkers and heavy guns, and also surrounded by mines. On the night of December 5, 1971, Lt Col Sandhu and his men, under the cover of darkness and thick fog, approached the bridge armed with grenades. About 2 kilometres from the bridge, they split up into groups of 12 and outflanked the Pakistani defenders from both sides of the river. Attacking with grenades they destroyed the bunkers, killing 60 enemy soldiers.
Once the bridge was captured, 10 Dogra Regiment took possession of the Pakistani ammunition and used it to fight off counter-attacks by Pakistani Army. By 6th December morning, the bridge was back in India's control.[2]
In this operation, Lieutenant Colonel Sandhu displayed gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty for which he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.[3][4]
Brigadier Narinder Singh Sandhu retired from the army as a brigadier. He passed away on 30 March 2018 in Chandigarh, India.[5]
References
- ^ "LT COL NARINDER SINGH SANDHU MAHA VIR CHAKRA". Indian Army, Govt of India official website.
- ^ "How Brig NS Sandhu Changed The Course Of The 1971 Indo-Pak War By Recapturing A Bridge In Punjab".
- ^ "Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Awardee: Brig Narinder Singh Sandhu, MVC". The War Decorated India & Trust.
- ^ Bhat, Anil (22 December 2011). "Tank Battles of 1971 Indo-Pak War Fought Mostly in Plains of J&K". Early Times.
- ^ "1971 war hero passes away". The Tribune. 31 March 2018.
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