DESI DISCOVERY QUIZ 9

The correct answer is Barmer, Rajasthan. The temples are Khiradu temples . The rail line is the Indo-Pak rail line & well beyond me is Pakistan.

12.30 AM: Dec 4, 1971: Longewalla in Barmer Distric, Indo-Pak border near Jaisalmer

On the cold, foggy night, when we were all sleeping in the cosy comforts of our houses, cuddled against  our moms, the 88 Indian Army Men at the Longewalla outpost, were sweating it out. They neither had battle tanks nor air support. The Paks numbering 3000 personnel, 34 tanks had completely surrounded them  making them sitting ducks. They had to survive around 7 hours when help was likely to reach them.

The determined fight back by them led by Major Kuldip Singh is an interesting  lesson on leadership & immaculate decision making at the threshold of death. The battle of Longewalla was studied by various foreign  military for the stunning display of grit & tactics.

India won decisively losing only 2 men, once they got air support.; Pak lost all their 34 tanks,armoured  vehicles ; Their commander who died in the skirmish, was dismissed from service for the pathetic display on war front. Battle of Longewalla was made into a film “Border” with slight exaggeration.

Saluting the Heroes & all defence personnel on this day.

Also read:

1.       Battle of Longewalla in Wikipedia.

2.       http://www.simplydecoded.com/2013/09/19/the-blood-telegram-1971-war/ (Kissinger, Nixon & a Forgotten Genocide by Gary A Bass to know how clouded ego of 2 powerful men drove the world on the brink of third world war.

Much more engrossing  than an Alfred Hitchcock Novel. On this Republic Day, strongly suggest you all to read them as a way of remembering their heroics.