1971 war hero passes away

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 30

Brigadier Narinder Singh Sandhu (retd), a city resident who was decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra in the 1971 Indo-Pak war passed away at the age of 85 here on Friday after battling cancer. He is survived by his son Sandeep Sandhu and daughter Mandeep Kler, who is married to a senior Army officer.

Brig Sandhu served briefly with the 3 Cavalry and 65 Armoured Regiment before transferring to the Dogra Regiment. As a Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded 10 Dogra during the 1971 war.

The citation for his gallantry award states that on the night of December 5, 1971, he was tasked capture enemy position in the western sector. The enemy defences were extensively fortified with an elaborate system of pillboxes with machine guns and anti-tank weapon emplacements, which were connected to each other, by tunnels.

During the attack all along the route, he remained foremost and as soon as the objective was captured, he was there personally to reorganise the troops. In spite of a bullet injury in his leg, he continued to lead his men without regard for his safety, displaying gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty of a very high order.

Brig Sandhu also served as the Deputy Director General of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh NCC Directorate. After retirement, he remained active on the social front and was keenly involved in veterans and gallantry awardees’ affairs. His funeral is scheduled to be held here on Saturday.

Brigadier Narinder Singh Sandhu (retd) also served as the Deputy Director General of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh NCC Directorate. After retirement, he remained active on the social front and was keenly involved in veterans and gallantry awardees’ affairs. His funeral is scheduled to be held here on Saturday.