Major Bhupinder Singh MVC

Major Bhupinder Singh hailed from Harnampura village in Ludhiana district of Punjab and was born on 19 September 1928. He was the son of Shri Sajjan Singh, who instilled in him the values of hard work, discipline, and integrity from an early age. After completing his education, Maj Bhupinder Singh was driven by a sense of duty and pride to serve the nation, which led him to join the Indian Army. On 11 December 1949, at just 21 years of age, he was commissioned into the prestigious Hodson’s Horse (4th Horse), one of the most decorated and oldest armoured regiments of the Indian Army. Over the years, through his dedication, professionalism, and courage, he steadily grew in stature within the regiment. By 1965, after more than 15 years of service, he had risen to the rank of Major.Major Bhupinder Singh was known among his peers and subordinates as a determined and dependable officer. His leadership style was defined by his unwavering belief in leading from the front and sharing every risk and hardship with his men. This earned him deep respect within his unit.

When the Indo-Pak War of 1965 broke out, Major Bhupinder Singh’s unit, Hodson’s Horse, was deployed in the Punjab sector—a critical theatre of operations during the conflict. The region witnessed some of the fiercest tank battles and infantry-armour engagements of the war. In these high-stakes operations, Major Bhupinder Singh played a vital role, displaying the grit, tactical acumen, and courage that had come to define his military career

Battle of Phillora (Indo Pak War): 19 Sep 1965

When the Indo-Pak War of 1965 broke out, the Sialkot sector became the scene of some of the fiercest tank battles in history. The Battle of Phillora, fought from 10 September onwards, was one of the largest tank battles of the war and the first major engagement between the two nations in the sector. India’s 1st Armoured Division, equipped with four armoured regiments including Hodson’s Horse, was tasked with a massive offensive against Pakistan’s 6th Armoured Division. Pakistani forces resisted strongly and even launched repeated air attacks, but these inflicted little damage on the Indian tank columns. For three days, intense fighting raged, during which the Pakistani forces, facing mounting losses, were compelled to withdraw towards Chawinda. By this stage, the Indian troops had destroyed 67 enemy tanks. In this battle, Major Bhupinder Singh was commanding ‘B’ Squadron of 4 Horse, which was assigned to cut the enemy’s line along the Gadgor–Phillora road and to provide a fire base for the assault on Phillora. Leading from the front, he displayed remarkable tactical skill and inspiring courage. Under his command, the squadron inflicted heavy destruction on Pakistani tanks and equipment, playing a decisive role in tilting the battle in India’s favour.

Major Bhupinder Singh’s leadership shone once again during the subsequent Battle of Sodreke on 19 September. With bold manoeuvres and effective deployment of his squadron, he helped change the course of the battle. His tank came under enemy fire several times, but he refused to relinquish command, continuing to inspire his men through acts of personal gallantry. In one incident, when his own tank was damaged, he bailed out safely but immediately went back to rescue a comrade, exemplifying camaraderie and selflessness. Tragically, on 19 September—his 37th birthday—while leading another daring attack, his tank was struck by an enemy Cobra missile. By that time, he had already destroyed four enemy tanks. The missile strike caused a devastating fire that engulfed the tank. The driver was killed instantly, while Major Bhupinder Singh and his gunner, Sowar Vir Singh, sustained grievous burns and injuries. Both were evacuated to medical facilities and later shifted to the Military Hospital in Delhi. Although Sowar Vir Singh eventually recovered, Major Bhupinder Singh succumbed to his injuries on 3 October 1965.

For his exceptional bravery, inspiring leadership, and supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army, Major Bhupinder Singh was awarded the nation’s second-highest wartime gallantry award, the Maha Vir Chakra, posthumously. His courage and selfless service remain a shining chapter in the history of the Indian Armoured Corps and a lasting inspiration for generations of soldiers.

The citation for "Maha Vir Chakra" awarded to him reads :

Major Bhupinder Singh of Hodson’s Horse led his squadron with distinction in the battle of Phillora and Sodreke in Pakistan between 11 and 19 September With skillful deployment and bold action, his squadron was able to cause large-scale destruction of Pakistani tanks and other equipment. Although his tank was hit on several occasions, he continued to remain in effective command and by several acts of personal gallantry inspired his men to fight courageously. On 19 September in the battle of Sodreke his tank was hit and caught fire. While abandoning the tank he was burnt severely and though evacuated subsequently died.

Major Bhupinder Singh displayed great determination and courage under heavy enemy fire by continuing to fight with only two tanks after most of his tanks had been disabled. He had set an inspiring example of personal sacrifice and bravery in the best traditions in the Indian Army.

• When then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri accompanied by his son Shri Sunil Shastri  went to meet Major Bhupinder Singh in hospital, he had tears in his eyes. When Prime Minister asked why “Tears in such a brave man’s eyes”,  Major Bhupinder Singh replied  “Not because of pain, its because my  PM is standing before me and I can’t even salute him".

• The District Authorities of Ludhiana have named the Bharat Nagar Chowk of city as Major Bhupinder Singh Chowk.
• A ten foot bronze statue of Major Bhupinder Singh has been installed at the Chowk.
• Pakistani Tank captured during Indo-Pak war 1965 has also been installed near the Statue.
• A stadium in the village Harnampura in Ludhiana district has been named as “Shaheed Major Bhupinder Singh Stadium”.