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How many of you recall the blockbuster film BORDER that is based on India-Pakistan war 1971. It is also known as Battle of Longewala. Bhairon Singh Rathore is a famous name that was portrayed by actor Sunil Shetty in the movie. However, Lance Naik Bhairon Singh was shown martyred in the historic war at Longewala in 1971. Not many of you know that then Lance Naik Bhairon Singh Rathore wasn’t martyred. Instead, he is still alive.
About Border Movie
In the movie, the battle of Longewala was depicted where 21 brave soldiers, including Bhairo Singh, were involved in serving the nation with glory. In the movie, Bhairon Singh Rathore is portrayed by Sunil Shetty as an Assistant Commandant. However, Bhairon Singh was a Lance Naik in BSF. Moreover, movie showed that Sunil Shetty (aka Bhairon Singh) had a wife, Ful Kanwar, before the battle of Longewala. However, Prem Kanwar is the real-life wife of Bhairon Singh, and he got married after India won the Battle of Longewala.
About Bhairon Singh Rathore
Bhairon Singh joined Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) in 1963 and retired in 1987. At the time of war, he was posted in the 3rd Platoon of D-company of the 14th Battalion. Simultaneously, the Indian army deployed 23 Punjab at the Longewala post, which was headed by Major Kuldeep Singh Chandpuri. Lance Naik Bhairon Singh was deployed as the guide for the Punjab battalion.
Read More: How Kuldip Singh Chandpuri Lead the Battle of Longewala to Victory
Late night they received the message that Pakistani troops with heavy tanks and numerous soldiers are approaching Longewala post. Airforce wasn’t available for retaliation during the night.
Hence, the troop of 120 soldiers and Bhairon Singh Rathore, take charge of the post and continue responding to the heavy shelling from the Pakistan border.
Lance Naik Bhairon Singh fired LMG continuously for 7 hours and killed more than 25 Pakistani soldiers.
For his exemplary service during the 1971 war at Longewala, then Rajasthan CM Barkatullah Khan awarded him with Sena Medal in 1972.
War Heroes of 1971 Longewala war
| Name | Unit | Award |
| Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri | 23 Punjab | Mahavir Chakra |
| Lt Dharam Vir | 23 Punjab | Mention in Dispatches |
| Sub Ratan Singh | 23 Punjab | Vir Chakra |
| Sep Mathura Dass | 23 Punjab | Sena Medal |
| Sep Bisham Dass | 23 Punjab | Sena Medal (Posthumous) |
| Sep Jagjit Singh | 23 Punjab | Vir Chakra (Posthumous) |
| Sep (CK) Bhagi Ram | 23 Punjab | COAS Commendation card |
| DFR Harbir Singh | 20 Lancers | Vir Medal (Posthumous) |
| Lnk Bhairon Singh | BSF | Sena Medal |