AI Generated Summary
- The Battle of Pul Kanjri stands not only as a military victory, but as a timeless reminder of the price of freedom and the strength of those who defend it.
- Among its most poignant chapters is a story of grit and sacrifice from the 1971 Indo-Pak war, when Indian soldiers fought a daring battle to reclaim the village from enemy occupation.
- During the battle, he reportedly overpowered a Pakistani machine gunner, seized the weapon, and turned it against the enemy before being fatally hit by retaliatory fire.
Nestled along the India–Pakistan border near Amritsar, the village of Pul Moran—better known as Pul Kanjri—is steeped in layers of history that stretch far beyond its ancient past. Among its most poignant chapters is a story of grit and sacrifice from the 1971 Indo-Pak war, when Indian soldiers fought a daring battle to reclaim the village from enemy occupation. More than five decades later, that episode continues to resonate as a powerful symbol of courage.
In early December 1971, as hostilities escalated along the western front, Indian forces withdrew from the Pul Moran border post. Taking advantage of the situation, Pakistani troops swiftly occupied the village, forcing many residents to abandon their homes and seek safety elsewhere. Fear and uncertainty gripped the area, and Pul Moran briefly slipped into enemy hands.
Determined to reverse the setback, Lt-Col S.C. Puri of the 2 Sikh Regiment planned a bold counter-offensive. A small but resolute column of 40 soldiers, led by Major N.S. Koak, was tasked with the mission of retaking the border outpost that fell under the jurisdiction of Pucca Dhanoan. On December 17, 1971, after fierce close-quarter combat, the Indian troops succeeded in driving out the enemy and re-establishing control.
The encounter, later etched into military records as the “Battle of Pul Kanjri,” came at a heavy cost. One Junior Commissioned Officer and nine other ranks of the 2 Sikh Regiment laid down their lives in the action. Their sacrifice, however, blunted a determined four-directional assault by Pakistani forces and turned the tide in India’s favour. The opposing side suffered substantial casualties, and an officer along with ten soldiers was captured as prisoners of war. A significant quantity of arms and ammunition was also seized.
To honour these fallen heroes, the Indian Army later erected the Pul Kanjri War Memorial near the village. The memorial stands as a solemn tribute to ten brave soldiers whose names are etched in stone and in collective memory. Two of them were posthumously decorated for exceptional gallantry: Lance Naik Shangara Singh of Tarn Taran district received the Maha Vir Chakra, while Naib Subedar Gian Singh of Nawanshahr district was awarded the Vir Chakra.
Lance Naik Shangara Singh, born in 1945 in Chola Sahib village, is remembered for an act of extraordinary daring. During the battle, he reportedly overpowered a Pakistani machine gunner, seized the weapon, and turned it against the enemy before being fatally hit by retaliatory fire. His fearless action is often recounted as an example of supreme battlefield courage.
Naib Subedar Gian Singh, born in 1937 in Punia village, was also honoured for leading from the front and displaying exceptional bravery under intense fire. Alongside them, eight other soldiers from various districts of Punjab made the ultimate sacrifice. They include sepoys Gurcharan Singh, Tarlok Singh, Surjit Singh, Didar Singh, and Jagtar Singh; Lance Naik Gurdial Singh; and Naik Sawaran Singh. Each hailed from a different village, yet all were united by a shared sense of duty and devotion to the nation.
For the residents of Pul Moran, memories of those turbulent days remain vivid. Elderly villagers recall fleeing their homes as shells exploded nearby and gunfire echoed across fields. They also remember the relief and gratitude they felt when Indian soldiers returned and reclaimed the village, restoring a sense of safety.
Today, the Pul Kanjri War Memorial draws visitors, schoolchildren, and families of martyrs who come to pay their respects. Wreaths are laid, prayers are offered, and stories are retold—ensuring that the courage displayed in December 1971 is never forgotten.
In the quiet fields around Pul Kanjri, life has long since returned to normal. Yet the land bears silent witness to a battle that shaped its destiny and to soldiers whose valour continues to inspire generations. The Battle of Pul Kanjri stands not only as a military victory, but as a timeless reminder of the price of freedom and the strength of those who defend it.
