Major Puran Chander

Major Puran Chander hailed from Poonch in Jammu & Kashmir and was born in 1936. The son of Army veteran Lt Col Dina Nath, he grew up deeply inspired by the discipline, honour, and sense of duty that surrounded his father’s military life. From a young age, he nurtured the dream of following in his father’s footsteps and serving the nation in uniform. With dedication and hard work, he fulfilled this aspiration when he was commissioned into 5 JAK Rif, a battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles—an infantry regiment celebrated for its fearless soldiers, rich traditions, and distinguished battle honours.

After serving for a few years, he married Ms. Mona Thakur in May 1964, and the couple was soon blessed with a son, Keshav. By 1965, Major Puran Chander had already proven his professionalism and leadership, earning a promotion to the rank of Major. He served in various operational areas, demonstrating composure, courage, and tactical skill in challenging and demanding environments.

As tensions between India and Pakistan escalated and the possibility of war loomed in late 1965, Major Puran Chander’s unit was mobilized for action. 5 JAK Rif was deployed in the western sector under the command of 35 Infantry Brigade, preparing to face the unfolding conflict with readiness and resolve.

Sialkot Operation : Indo-Pak War (23/24 Nov 1965)

During the 1965 Indo-Pak War, Maj Puran Chander’s unit, 5 JAK Rif, was deployed in the Sialkot sector along with other infantry battalions under the 35 Infantry Brigade. Although a ceasefire formally came into effect on 23 September 1965, the western sector continued to witness intermittent border skirmishes and heightened tension. By the time of the ceasefire, the unit had taken up defensive positions around Basran village, located southwest of Alhar railway station. They faced a Pakistani unit positioned across the elevated railway embankment, with a 250-metre-wide no man’s land separating the two sides.

Taking advantage of poor weather conditions, Pakistani forces surreptitiously laid two parallel strips of mines in the no man’s land. Patrols by 5 JAK Rif later confirmed an additional threat—the enemy had occupied a small hut situated within the no man’s land and was using it as a forward observation post, giving them a tactical advantage. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Commanding Officer, Lt Col R. S. Pathania, decided that the hut must be captured or neutralized. Maj Puran Chander, commanding Alpha Company, immediately volunteered for the hazardous mission. His plan involved approaching the hut by crawling from the northern side, where limited mine-clearing had been conducted, and launching a surprise assault under the cover of darkness. He selected one section of troops for this high-risk operation.

On the night of 23/24 November 1965, Maj Puran Chander and his brave men began their silent advance and managed to reach within a few metres of the hut. However, their movement aroused suspicion, and the enemy quickly opened fire. Acting with characteristic decisiveness, Maj Puran Chander assessed the situation and leapt forward to attack the hut with a grenade to neutralize the enemy position. In the midst of this daring assault, he was struck by a burst of machine-gun fire and sustained grievous injuries. Despite the valiant effort, he later succumbed to his wounds and was martyred, making the supreme sacrifice at the young age of 29. Maj Puran Chander was a courageous soldier and a steadfast officer who led from the front, embodying the highest traditions of leadership and duty.

Maj Puran Chander is survived by his wife, Smt. Mona Thakur, and his son, Shri Keshav Chander Thakur.