hussain0216
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- May 29, 2012
- Messages
- 21,096
- Reaction score
- -22
- Country
- Location
War veteran’s book reiterates doubts over Army’s role in Longewala battle - The Times of India
CHANDIGARH: Re 1 for his honour! A new book by a 1971 war veteran — to be released next week - may now be whipping up a storm by raising doubts over the Army's role in the famous Battle of Longewala during the Indo-Pak war, but Brigadier (retd) Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, who is hailed as the hero of Longewala and on whose heroics the Bollywood blockbuster "Border" was shot, had sued the author five years ago for defamation, asking for Re 1 as damages. The case was filed by Brig Chandpuri, claiming that the officer made scandalous remarks about his achievements.
On July 19, 2008, a Chandigarh civil court had issued notice to Major Gen (retd) Atma Singh (the writer of the present book) and one retired Air Force officer, Air Marshal M S Bawa.
Brig Chandpuri, a Maha Vir Chakra awardee, had mentioned in his suit that the officers had made "scandalous attack" against him in public fora several years after the battle, after the box office success of 'Border' catapulted him into the limelight. The case is pending before the local court.
In his defamation suit, Brig Chandpuri had alleged that both the officers had made malicious statements, tarnishing his image as well as the image of his Alpha Company (23 Punjab) which had won six gallantry awards.
In his book, to be released on December 3, Major Gen Atma Singh - a Vir Chakra awardee -- has claimed that Army's version of the battle is "exaggerated" and has given credit to the Indian Air Force for the victory.
Brig Chandpuri had sought the damages of Re 1 from both the retired officers on the grounds that he wanted justice and not money.
The case was filed after Maj Gen Atma Singh made an allegation in February 2008 that "no ground battle was fought and the Army had merely rehearsed it on a sand model after the ceasefire to cover up the failure of senior military commanders."
Another officer, Air Marshal Bawa, who was commanding the Jaisalmer base from where IAF Hunter fighter aircraft operated in that battle had stated that the "Army had faked the entire operation."
The Battle of Longewala was fought in the western sector, in Rajasthan, during the Indo-Pak war in December 1971. Brigadier Chandpuri of 23 Punjab regiment, then a major, was leading just 100 men and had frustrated a formidable attack by a Pakistani brigade comprising around 2,800 troops backed by an armoured regiment of 45 tanks. Chandpuri was given the second highest gallantry award of the country — Maha Vir Chakra.
"There will be many claimants to victory but hardly anyone for a defeat. I have already filed a defamation case against this author. He is in the habit of making such scandalous attacks on Armymen," said Brig Chandpuri.
"Books on such sensitive issues should be cleared by the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) after verifying facts so that such unfounded statements are not made," he added.
CHANDIGARH: Re 1 for his honour! A new book by a 1971 war veteran — to be released next week - may now be whipping up a storm by raising doubts over the Army's role in the famous Battle of Longewala during the Indo-Pak war, but Brigadier (retd) Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, who is hailed as the hero of Longewala and on whose heroics the Bollywood blockbuster "Border" was shot, had sued the author five years ago for defamation, asking for Re 1 as damages. The case was filed by Brig Chandpuri, claiming that the officer made scandalous remarks about his achievements.
On July 19, 2008, a Chandigarh civil court had issued notice to Major Gen (retd) Atma Singh (the writer of the present book) and one retired Air Force officer, Air Marshal M S Bawa.
Brig Chandpuri, a Maha Vir Chakra awardee, had mentioned in his suit that the officers had made "scandalous attack" against him in public fora several years after the battle, after the box office success of 'Border' catapulted him into the limelight. The case is pending before the local court.
In his defamation suit, Brig Chandpuri had alleged that both the officers had made malicious statements, tarnishing his image as well as the image of his Alpha Company (23 Punjab) which had won six gallantry awards.
In his book, to be released on December 3, Major Gen Atma Singh - a Vir Chakra awardee -- has claimed that Army's version of the battle is "exaggerated" and has given credit to the Indian Air Force for the victory.
Brig Chandpuri had sought the damages of Re 1 from both the retired officers on the grounds that he wanted justice and not money.
The case was filed after Maj Gen Atma Singh made an allegation in February 2008 that "no ground battle was fought and the Army had merely rehearsed it on a sand model after the ceasefire to cover up the failure of senior military commanders."
Another officer, Air Marshal Bawa, who was commanding the Jaisalmer base from where IAF Hunter fighter aircraft operated in that battle had stated that the "Army had faked the entire operation."
The Battle of Longewala was fought in the western sector, in Rajasthan, during the Indo-Pak war in December 1971. Brigadier Chandpuri of 23 Punjab regiment, then a major, was leading just 100 men and had frustrated a formidable attack by a Pakistani brigade comprising around 2,800 troops backed by an armoured regiment of 45 tanks. Chandpuri was given the second highest gallantry award of the country — Maha Vir Chakra.
"There will be many claimants to victory but hardly anyone for a defeat. I have already filed a defamation case against this author. He is in the habit of making such scandalous attacks on Armymen," said Brig Chandpuri.
"Books on such sensitive issues should be cleared by the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) after verifying facts so that such unfounded statements are not made," he added.
