Commemoration of Colonel Dharam Vir, Hero of the 1971 Battle of Laungewala, on His First Death Anniversary
On May 16, 2023, the first death anniversary of Colonel Dharam Vir, the renowned hero of the Battle of Laungewala in the 1971 Indo-Pak War, is being solemnly observed.
Colonel Dharam Vir, hailing from the village of Ghudani Kaian in Ludhiana district, Punjab, was born on an illustrious path. Unfortunately, on May 16, 2022, at the age of 76, he passed away at his residence in Gurgaon after a prolonged illness.
In remembrance of his father on this somber occasion, Lieutenant Colonel Gaurav Bhakhri, the son of Col Dharam Vir, spoke about the account of the Battle of Laungewala. He recounted, “Initially, the information shared by my father about the advancing intrusion of Pakistani forces towards Laungewala was met with disbelief. No one in the Army Hierarchy could fathom that such a major offensive could be planned by Pakistan. It was only after my father, Captain Dharam Vir, repeatedly assured them that his concerns were taken seriously and further actions were planned. The role played by Captain Dharam Vir was significant, leading to a decisive victory in the Battle, which ultimately resulted in the epic surrender of Pakistani forces in the 1971 War.”
The role of Colonel Dharam Vir was depicted by Akshaye Khanna in the well-known movie ‘BORDER,’ which was based on the Battle of Laungewala.
The Battle of Laungewala, recognized as one of the deadliest tank battles in the history of warfare, was a critical moment as the enemy had intentions to capture Jaisalmer and, ultimately, Jodhpur. Numerous articles and publications, including mentions at the National War Memorial in New Delhi, have detailed the entire narrative of the battle. This battle holds a unique place as the first major offensive thrust involving armored forces in the western sector after the partition.
The Battle of Laungewala has gained international acclaim and is included as part of the curriculum in several military academies worldwide, serving as a testament to its significance and impact.
