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 Nov 1965)

During the Indo–Pak War of 1965, Major Puran Chander was serving with the 5th Battalion of the Jammu & Kashmir Rifles (5 JAK Rif), which was deployed in the Sialkot sector under the operational command of the 35 Infantry Brigade. Even after the formal ceasefire on 23 September 1965, the western front continued to remain tense, with frequent skirmishes and heightened enemy activity. By this time, 5 JAK Rif had established defensive positions around Basran village, located southwest of the Alhar railway station. The battalion faced a Pakistani force positioned across an elevated railway embankment, with a 250-metre-wide no man’s land separating the two sides. Taking advantage of adverse weather conditions, the enemy had covertly laid two parallel belts of mines in this area. Further reconnaissance revealed that the enemy had also occupied a small hut within the no man’s land, using it as a forward observation post to monitor Indian troop movements—thus gaining a tactical advantage. Recognizing the threat posed by this position, the Commanding Officer, Lt Col RS Pathania, decided that the enemy-held hut must be captured or neutralized. Major Puran Chander, commanding Alpha Company, volunteered to lead this hazardous mission. His plan involved a stealthy approach from the northern side—where limited mine-clearing had been carried out—and a surprise assault under the cover of darkness. For this critical task, he selected a section of his most capable soldiers.

On the night of 23 November 1965, Major Puran Chander and his men began their silent advance and successfully crawled to within a few metres of the objective. However, their movement was detected, and the enemy opened intense fire. Displaying exceptional courage and decisiveness, Major Puran Chander immediately took charge of the situation. Without regard for his personal safety, he surged forward to assault the hut and lobbed a grenade in an attempt to neutralize the enemy position. In the course of this daring action, he was struck by a burst of machine-gun fire and sustained grievous injuries. Despite his gallant effort and leadership under fire, he succumbed to his wounds, making the supreme sacrifice at the age of 29. Major Puran Chander exemplified the finest traditions of the Indian Army—leading from the front with courage, determination, and an unwavering sense of duty.

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