Just six months ago, 81-year-old BSF veteran Bhairon Singh Rathore would wake up before 5 am every day, do his yoga routine, and then go to the ground in his village of Solankiatala in Jodhpur district to train youngsters interested in joining the Indian Army.
Rathore, who was awarded the Sena Medal in 1972 for his bravery during the war, passed away in Jodhpur on Monday.
During the Battle of Longewala in December 1971, Rathore, who was with the 14th BSF Battalion and attached to the Indian Army’s 23 Punjab Regiment, provided crucial information about the desert area and topography to the members of the 23 Punjab regiment. He also fired a light machine gun, causing heavy casualties to the Pakistani force.
Rathore’s character was portrayed by actor Suniel Shetty in the 1997 movie, Border. However, his family expressed disappointment that the movie showed his character being killed in the war, and that it was his last wish to meet Suniel Shetty, which remained unfulfilled.
PM and actor Shetty both offered their condolences to Rathore’s family on Twitter.
Rathore’s body will be taken to a training center of the BSF in Jodhpur for a wreath laying ceremony, followed by a cremation in his village with full military honors.
BSF records about the Longewala battle highlight Rathore’s bravery, stating that when one of the 23 Punjab boys was killed, Rathore took his light machine gun and inflicted heavy casualties on the advancing enemy.
Deep Mukherjee is a senior correspondent based in Jaipur. He covers Ra…
