Kulwant Singh Pannu

Major General Kulwant Singh Pannu one of the most famous officers of the Indian Army. As a Lt Colonel he led the 2nd Paras in the famous Tangail Airdrop to capture the Poongli Bridge over the River Jamuna on 11 December 1971, during the Bangladesh War. The battalion was airdropped near Tangail in Bangladesh and tasked to cut off the 93 Brigade of the Pakistani Army which was moving from the north to defend Dacca and its approaches. For his conspicuous gallantry and leadership that led to the capture of Dacca, Lt Col Pannu was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. This action is now cited in military history as one of the most successful commando operations of recent times.

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