A true saga of determination, resoluteness and leadership In the we hours of 4th December 1971, the Pakistani Army crossed Border Pillar 635 in Rajasthan and marched towards Longewala. They rumbled into the Indian territory with a regiment of 48 tanks and over 3500 men. At the post of Longewala were only 120 infantry soldiers of the Apha Company of 23rd Punjab Regiment led by Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri. Thus, began one of the greatest battles in the history of post-partition India: The Battle of Longewala. Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri and his men stood the ground against such formidable odds. Not only did he and his men successfully engage the Pakistani forces, but they also stalled their progress through critical hours until dawn, when the Indian Air Force swooped in. For India's victory in this battle, Major (later Brigadier) Kuldip Singh Chandpuri was awarded the prestigious Maha Vir Chakra. In 1997, film maker JP Dutta depicted the epic battle in his blockbuster film, Border.