Brig HS Sodhi, who played an instrumental role in Bangladesh war, dies at 89

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 15

Brig Harinder Singh Sodhi (retd), who had commanded the fourth battalion of the 4th Gurkha Rifles at Sikkim in 1964 and a mountain brigade, which played an instrumental role in the Bangladesh war, was cremated here today. He was 89 and passed away on Wednesday, informed a family member.

He is survived by his wife Harjit Sodhi, son Jasbir Singh, daughter-in-law Neelam Sodhi and daughters Nishi Coday and Kiran.

Born on January 27, 1927, at Gujranwala (now in Pakistan), Brigadier Sodhi had received his initial education at a local school in Guru Har Sahai before moving to Aitchison College in Lahore. Later, he went to the RIMC in Dehradun. He joined the Indian Military Academy in 1946 and was commissioned into the 4th Gurkha Rifles on December 22, 1947.

After commanding the fourth battalion of the 4th Gurkha Rifles at Sikkim in 1964, Brigadier Sodhi became commandant of the 14th Gurkha Training Centre in Subathu. Later, he moved on to command a mountain brigade, which played an instrumental role in the Bangladesh war. He went into the war with just a walking stick and refused to carry a weapon. Brigadier Sodhi was a prolific sportsman and keen swimmer and polo player.

He took premature retirement in 1976 to be with his family and to peruse his passion for writing. He was a keen military historian and had written seven books about the Indian Army.