LIEUTENANT SURINDER BHAGAT: UNSUNG HERO OF YORE

ASAL UTTAR

There are two men captured in the opening frame, seated amidst the hallowed grounds that bear witness to one of the most intense Armoured conflict in history – a battle of unyielding resolve between sworn enemies – India and Pakistan. This pivotal moment unfolded in year 1965, in a place called Khemkaran, famously known as the graveyard of Patton tanks. The battle was the famous Battle of Asal Uttar, that saved the state of Punjab to be annexed into two halves along River Beas. This photograph was published in a Times of India publication ‘INDIA ANSWERS PAKISTAN’.

Taken just before this historic battle, this pic captures two gentlemen. One of them would go on to become one of the most cherished painters in independent India’s history, Mr MF Hussain; who was visiting the battleground just prior to the outbreak of war.

MUSE

The other man, a paragon of rugged handsomeness, willingly assumed the mantle of muse for Mr MF Hussain. This figure would later rise to become my hero; the lodestar of my upbringing. He would be the one I would grow up watching and admiring. He is the reason for me to choose the profession I would finally chose. He is the bedrock of my value system and the source of the positivity that flows in my blood. He is my father – Lieutenant (Now, Lieutenant Colonel) Surinder Mohan Bhagat.

During the time of this photograph, he was serving as a Forward Observation Officer with a Cavalry unit destined to confront Pakistan’s most modernly equipped Armoured Division, equipped with state-of-the-art Patton tanks acquired from USA. This young Lieutenant was going on the cusp of making history.

JAI JAWAN; JAI KISAN

The Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri ji had rallied the nation with the clarion call of “Jai Jawan; Jai Kisan” while confronting a militarily superior adversary, Pakistan. The Indian units swiftly mobilized to reach their operational areas. Pakistan had its eyes set on Asal Uttar, a linchpin on the road to Beas river bridge; and capture the entire landscape west of Beas.

FIRST FIELD SP ARTILLERY REGIMENT

This young son of Punjab found himself destined for Khemkaran, as part of one of the most accomplished regiments of Artillery – ‘First Field SP’. The guns he would handle were destined to shatter the arrogance of the Pakistan Armoured Division, and Khemkaran would forever be remembered as graveyard of Patton tanks.

Eventually, Pakistani border village of Barkee would fall and Lt Surinder Mohan Bhagat would be among the privileged few standing at the gates of Lahore, on the banks of Ichhogil canal.

PROUD SON

When my dad would recount his story, he often mentioned his father visiting him at Khemkaran after the ceasefire. My grandfather was a proud man. His son had fought bravely and given all to secure victory for the nation. Those stories planted a dream in me. I wanted my father to be proud of me one day, just as my grandfather had been.

DREAM COME TRUE

Years crossed. I followed the same path my father had blazed. In 1998, when I was honoured with the Sena Medal by Chief of Army Staff, my parents were invited to the Army Chief’s residence in New Delhi for a tea party.

Most surprisingly, the first person to welcome us as we entered the lawn, was one of the greatest statesmen of our country – Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee. Mr Vajpayee held my father’s hand to congratulate him. My father took out time to look over his shoulder towards me; and gave a smile. The sweetness of that smile is vividly fresh in my memory.

I was living a dream. I was so happy to make him proud.

As the nation celebrates the 58th anniversary of Battle of Asal Uttar this week, I want to convey to my dad how incredibly proud I am of him, and how much I love him. My immense gratitude to the Lord for allowing me to be born in his house.

Salute!! From one soldier to another.?

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