Longewa, a border village is located in the jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. It is said that in earlier times the trade of Laing or cloves between some and Ajmer passed through this place and hence the place got this name. The village is a desert area some 16 km from the international border with Pakistan. There were no roads to connect LONGEWALA to the border and a camel or camel cart fitted with lsand tyres were the only means of transport. It was here that the Indians fought on e of the fiercest battles during the war of 1971. The LONGEWALA post was held by a platoon of border security force before the war. In octOcto1971 when the cloude of was started the gathering a company of 23 Punjab Regiment was deployed to defend the post. It is notable that 23 Punjab was a part of 45 infantry brigade of the 12 Indian Division which was responsible for the defense of the jaidlamer sub sector. Indians did not expect any major offensive by the pakistani army in thisp desert area. Also no military a ctivties were observed on the Pakistan side of military activities were observed on the border opposite LONGEWALA by Indian patrols till the commencement of the war. Indians thus believed that Pakistan would concentrate more on protecting rail and road communication opposite jaisalmer on their side of the border. But Pakistan had some different plan. In fact Pakistan had deployed an infantry Division 18 infantry divison for operations in LONGEWALA while one more Division 33 Division to reinforce it required. On the Indian side only one company of 23 Punjab Regiment under Major kuldip Singh chandpur was deployed to defend the area totall unaware of the lurking danger. On the cold breezy night of 4|5 December captain Dharam Vir a young officer of the company was leading a patrol near the border. Suddenly, at midnight, he heard the rattling of tanks from across the border. The noise gradually became louder indicating the movement of the Pakistani army towards the Indian post .captain Dharam Vir reported the matter to company commander major kuldip Singh chandpur. Another patrol in the area also confirmed the movement.
Vanshi
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