Major SN Tandon

Major Surinder Nath Tandon hailed from Village Shankar, Tehsil Nakodar, in Jalandhar district, Punjab. He was born on August 31, 1928, in Meerut to Shri Balwant Raj Tandon, an esteemed ICS officer and alumnus of Jesus College, Oxford (UK), and Smt Shakuntala Tandon. Coming from a well-educated and respected family, his brother, the late Shri Naresh C. Tandon, studied at The Doon School, Dehradun. Maj Tandon received his early education at Welham Boys' School, Dehradun, before attending Aitchison College (formerly known as Chiefs' College), Lahore, from October 1940 to December 1945. After completing his Senior Cambridge, he pursued his passion for military service by joining the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, as part of the 3rd batch in January 1947. He was commissioned into the Central India Horse of the Armoured Corps on September 12, 1948.

By 1965, with nearly 17 years of service, Maj Tandon had established himself as a committed and skilled officer. His extensive experience included serving in various operational theaters across India and as part of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Congo, Africa. During the 1965 Indo-Pak War, he commanded B Squadron of an armoured regiment in the Central India Horse, operating Sherman tanks. His squadron played a crucial role in the decisive Battle of Barki, showcasing exceptional leadership and tactical acumen on the battlefield.

Battle of Barki: 10/11 Sep 1965

During the 1965 Indo-Pak War, Major Surinder Nath Tandon’s regiment, The Central India Horse, was deployed in the Ferozepur sector of Punjab with the objective of securing the eastern bank of the Ichhogil Canal. The regiment was operating under the command of 7 Infantry Division, which also included 48 Infantry Brigade and 65 Infantry Brigade. As part of the operational strategy, 7 Infantry Division planned an offensive to capture Barki, a strategically important Pakistani town situated 9.5 km from the International Border and 24 km southeast of Lahore. According to the plan, the attack was set to begin on September 6, 1965. The 65 Infantry Brigade’s 4 Sikh Battalion and the 48 Infantry Brigade’s 6/8 Gorkha Rifles (6/8 GR) were tasked with crossing the border, seizing Pakistani outposts, and establishing a firm base for further advances. Once the base was secured, the 48 Infantry Brigade was to push forward and capture Barki. However, as the operation unfolded, Maj Tandon’s B Squadron of The Central India Horse encountered an unexpected challenge.

Midway to Barki, they reached an old drain called Hudiara, near a village of the same name. Anticipating the Indian assault, the Pakistani forces blew up the key bridge over the drain, bringing the advance of the Sherman tanks to a halt. Indian Army engineers, supported by two companies of 4 Sikh, were called in to construct a temporary bridge over the 50-foot-wide drain. However, it soon became evident that the span of the newly built bridge was insufficient for the heavy Sherman tanks to cross. In a bold move, Maj Tandon, alongside his Commanding Officer Lt Col S.C. Joshi, personally led the effort to fill the gaps in the damaged bridge, allowing the tanks to advance across Hudiara Drain by September 8, 1965. The final assault on Barki town was scheduled in two phases, commencing on the night of September 10, 1965. The first phase involved 4 Sikh Battalion, which was to launch a nighttime attack to capture the village. In a highly unorthodox and daring maneuver, Maj Tandon’s Sherman tanks were to lead the assault with all lights on and weapons firing, creating a shock effect on enemy defenses. The 4 Sikh Battalion was to follow behind and secure the town physically. The strategy proved effective, and Barki was successfully captured by the 7 Infantry Division forces. However, the Central India Horse suffered heavy losses, with six tanks destroyed during the operation.

On September 11, 1965, just hours before Barki’s capture, Maj Tandon and his Commanding Officer, Lt Col S.C. Joshi, were both critically wounded when their tank hit an anti-tank mine. Lt Col Joshi was evacuated but succumbed to his injuries a few days later. Maj Tandon was rushed to a military hospital, where he bravely fought for his life for several months before succumbing to his injuries on March 3, 1966. Major Surinder Nath Tandon was a valiant soldier and an exemplary leader, who always led from the front, embodying the finest traditions of the Indian Army. His unwavering courage, tactical brilliance, and indomitable spirit in the face of adversity remain an inspiration to generations of soldiers.

Maj Tandon is survived by his wife Smt Nilika Tandon, daughters Gita & Mala, and son Sanjiv.