1971 war hero cremated with honours

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 25

Brigadier BS Mankotia (retd), who was decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for gallantly in the 1971 Indo-Pak war, was cremated with service honours here on Saturday. The 77-year old officer had passed away on Friday.

Wreaths were laid on his mortal remains on behalf of the Punjab Governor and the Chief Minister.

A large number of well-wishers, friends and relatives attended his funeral.

Brig Mankotia was born in Himachal Pradesh and later studied at DAV College, Jalandhar, before getting commissioned into the Punjab Regiment. He belonged to a family that had served four generations in the Army. After retirement, he had settled in Zirakpur.

In the 1971 war, as a Major, he was deployed in the Ranian sector on the western front, where he repulsed enemy counterattacks successfully.

Despite being wounded, he continued to hold his position and lead his men.