Maj Gen KL Rattan (retd)
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, May 20
Architect of the military defence of Poonch during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, Maj Gen KL Rattan (retd) breathed his last in Noida.
Awarded the Mahavir Chakra, the second highest battle honour, he led the 6th battalion of the Sikh regiment to push back Pakistan troops. The action earned the unit “Theatre Honour” of J&K and Battle Honour “Defence of Poonch 1971”.
In 1971, then Lt Colonel Rattan, who hailed from Una in HP, defended the strategically important town of Poonch against numerically superior Pakistani force.
Pakistan attacked India’s western front. Its brigades comprising 5 Frontier Force Rifles, 7 PoK battalions and 51 Punjab Regiment were given the task of capturing two pickets—405 and 406 of Banwat Heights—besides the Poonch helipad, which were held by the 6 Sikh Battalion.
From December 3 to 6 in 1971, the enemy launched a series of attacks, but was pushed back.
Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.
Most Read In 24 Hours
Don't Miss
View All
Top News
Massive forest fires rage in Uttarakhand's Nainital, IAF called in
As many as 31 fresh incidents of forest fires are reported f...
2 CRPF personnel killed in militant attack in Manipur’s Bishnupur
Militants attacked India Reserve Battalion camp at Naransein...
Mamata Banerjee slips and falls while boarding helicopter in Paschim Bardhaman’s Durgapur
West Bengal CM was on way to Kulti for an election rally whe...
Arjuna awardee CRPF DIG Khajan Singh guilty of sexually harassing colleagues; faces removal
Khajan Singh, who is currently stationed in Mumbai, has yet ...
Supreme Court ‘shocked’ as Delhi fails to process 3,000 tonnes municipal solid waste every day
National Capital has three landfill sites at Bhalswa, Okhla ...
