Thread by @adgpi

The Battle of #Longewala was one of the first major battles in the Western Sector during #IndoPakWar1971. #Longewala is 16 km from the IB in the Thar Desert in #Rajasthan & the lone road to #Jaisalmer via Ramgarh emanated from here. (1/n)
#SwarnimVijayVarsh
#IndianArmy

#Longewala was held by a platoon of 14 BSF. However due to the looming war clouds, 'A' Compony, 23 PUNJAB under Major Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri was deployed in Oct 71. The rest of 23 PUNJAB (part of 45 Infantry Brigade) was deployed at Sadhewala.(2/n)
#SwarnimVijayVarsh
#IndianArmy

On 03 Dec #Pak 51 Brigade Group began to advance with 38 Cavalry & 22 Cavalry to capture Ramgarh & #Jaisalmer respectively. While the two armoured regiments reached Gabar (inside #Pak) by 0100h on 04 Dec, the rest of the forces could not. (3/n)
#SwarnimVijayVarsh
#IndianArmy

On 04 Dec at 1000h, Major Chandpuri sent out a patrol under Captain Dharamveer. At 2300h, the patrol reported that they could hear tank noises from across the border. It was the time when #Pak troops had resumed their advance from Gabar. (4/n)
#SwarnimVijayVarsh
#IndianArmy

At 0200h on 05 Dec, #Pak troops crossed Border Pillar 635. By then, defences were improved at #Longewala & 02 RCL guns were also despatched from Sadhewala to #Longewala. Meanwhile, the enemy also started heavy Artillery fire on #Longewala. (5/n)
#SwarnimVijayVarsh
#IndianArmy

For the capture of #Longewala, one Squadron of 22 Cavalry moved to the rear of #Longewala, while another Squadron cut off the road #Tanot – #Longewala. The Infantry along with two Squadrons moved to launch an attack on #Longewala. (6/n)
#SwarnimVijayVarsh
#IndianArmy

The enemy tanks started advancing towards the post. Direct fire on the post by enemy tanks caused some damage. The two RCL guns from #Sadhewala by now had reached the post. (7/n)
#SwarnimVijayVarsh
#IndianArmy

During the assault on the post, enemy tanks encountered the barbed wire fencing surrounding the post & halted assuming to be a mine field. RCL guns of #IndianArmy took advantage of the confusion in the #Pak forces & destroyed enemy tanks. (8/n)
#SwarnimVijayVarsh
#IndianArmy

The enemy supported by tanks & Medium Machine Guns reached up to 50m from the post but the gallant #Indian soldiers put up a sterling display of cool courage and determination to die but not to vacate the post. (9/n)
#SwarnimVijayVarsh
#IndianArmy

By 0700h #IAF Hunters reached #Longewala & began destroying #Pak tanks close to the post. The tanks struggled to prevent being hit by anti-tank rockets from the air. The arrival of Hunters further blunted the #Pak assault. (10/n)
#SwarnimVijayVarsh
#IndianArmy

At 0900h on 5th Dec, ‘B’ Squadron of 22 Cavalry & ‘B’ Company of 38 BALUCH were ready to launch another attack on #Longewala. However, realising the futility of the attack #Pak forces were ordered to withdraw. (11/n)
#SwarnimVijayVarsh
#IndianArmy

The battle of #Longewala had proved to be one of the defining moments in the #IndoPakWar1971. Despite heavy odds, Major Chandpuri displayed exemplary leadership. He ensured that all assets were correctly deployed & motivated his troops to fight till end.(12/n)
#SwarnimVijayVarsh