DZ
DefZone.Net

Kien thuc cong nghe & giai tri

Wiki Article

Hardev Singh Kler

Nguồn dữ liệu từ Wikipedia, hiển thị bởi DefZone.Net

Xem trên WikipediaBài ngẫu nhiên khác

Major General

Hardev Singh Kler

MVC, AVSM
Birth nameHardev Singh Kler
Other nameH. S. Kler
NicknameHarry
Born(1924-09-03)3 September 1924
Ludhiana, Punjab, British India
Died27 May 2016(2016-05-27) (aged 91)
Walnut, California, United States
Allegiance British India
India
Branch British Indian Army
 Indian Army
Service years1943–1988
Rank Major General
Service numberIC-493
Unit
Corps of Signals (India)
Conflicts
Awards Maha Vir Chakra
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal[1]
RelationsCaptain Chhajja Singh Kler, OBI (father)
Lt Gen. Gurdev Singh Kler, AVSM (brother)
Wing Commander Dee Jay Kler, VM (son)

Major General Hardev Singh Kler, MVC, AVSM (3 September 1924 - 27 May 2016) was an Indian Army‘s officer, known for leading India's first brigade which secured vital inroads to Dacca during the liberation of Bangladesh in Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 for which he was awarded with Maha Vir Chakra.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Kler was born in 1924 in Kakrala Kalan village near Ludhiana, Punjab, India into a military family. His father Chhajja Singh was a Honorary Captain, his elder brother Shamsher Singh also served in Indian Army, his younger brother Gurdev Singh Kler retired as a Lieutenant General, and Kler's son Devender Jeet was a decorated Indian Air Force veteran.[3][4]

Army career

[edit]

Kler was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1943, and in 1965 he was deployed as the General Staff Officer 1 of the 19th Infantry Division.[5] Serving as a Brigadier, Kler played a major role in the India–Pakistan war of 1971.[6][7] Kler led the 95 Mountain Brigade in the war.[8]

1965

[edit]
Main articles: Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and Battle of Haji Pir Pass (1965)

Lt. Col. Kler did not lead the assault column at Haji Pir Pass, but as GSO-I of 19 Infantry Division, he was centrally involved in the operational planning and control of the sector, including actions linked to the capture and holding of Haji Pir Pass.[9]

1971

[edit]
Main article: Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

Among the architects of the 1971 victory, Brig. Kler stands out for his relentless battlefield leadership and iron resolve. Commanding 95 Mountain Brigade, he spearheaded a lightning advance through Kamalpur, Jamalpur and Mymensingh, breaking fortified Pakistani defences and reaching the outskirts of Dacca in barely ten days. His handling of the Jamalpur battle reflected both martial honour and ruthless clarity of purpose. Kler remains an unsung warlord of 1971, whose courage and vision decisively shaped the liberation of Bangladesh.[10][11][12]

Maha Vir Chakra

[edit]

Kler was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest gallantry award, in 1972.[13][14]

Gazette Notification: 12 Pres/1972,8.2.71
Date of Award: 1972

Citation: Brigadier Hardev Singh Kler was commanding a Mountain Brigade on the Eastern Front during the recent operations against Pakistan. He led the advance from Kamalpur uplo river Turag, which involved clearing of enemy opposition at Kamalpur, Bakshiganj, Jamalpur, Tangail, Mirzapur and the west bank of River Turag, in addition to several delaying on by the enemy in between. During all these actions, Brigadier Hardev Singh Kler was personally present with the leading troops and directed the operations with complete dis-regard for his life. His handling of the troops during Jamalpur battle showed great professional skill and by personally going into the thick of the battle, he provided great inspiration of his troops who had laid siege behind enemy positions south of Jamalpur. Despite heavy casualties, he directed the operations so skilfully and courageously that all attempts by the enemy to break through were foiled. He inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and captured 379 prisoners as well as large quantities of weapons and ammunition.

Throughout these operations, Brigadier Hardev Singh Kler displayed outstanding courage, inspiring leadership and complete disregard of personal safety in the face of the enemy in Keeping with the best traditions of the Army.

[edit]
  • The surname Kler of the lead character in the Hindi movie "Border 2" portrayed by Sunny Deol appears to be inspired by him.[15]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Indian Armed Forces Yearbook. Indian youth. 1971. p. 486.
  2. ^ "BORN TO LEAD". Retrieved 18 January 2026.
  3. ^ "Major General Hardev Singh Kler MVC". Honourpoint. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  4. ^ "MVCs for senior commanders: Brig Hardev Singh Kler and Brig Anand Sarup". The Tribune. 4 July 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  5. ^ Panag, H. S. (28 December 2018). "A general who wasn't the 'chosen one', but became the man of the hour in 1965". ThePrint. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  6. ^ Liton, Shakhawat (25 December 2014). "Hero of Jamalpur war also had son fighting | The Daily Star". The Daily Star. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  7. ^ Shashi, Shyam Singh (1972). Defenders of India: Victory of Peace & Liberty. Indian School Supply Depot, Publication Division. p. 275.
  8. ^ Indian Defence Review. Lancer International. 1995. p. 73.
  9. ^ "MVCs for senior commanders: Brig Hardev Singh Kler and Brig Anand Sarup". Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  10. ^ "Harry Kler, the man who raced to Dacca (1924 – 2016)". Retrieved 18 January 2026.
  11. ^ "On The Art Of War And Writing Letters To The Enemy: Gallantry At The Battle Of Jamalpur". The Friday Times. 10 October 2021. Retrieved 20 April 2025.
  12. ^ "Gazette of India" (PDF). Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  13. ^ Singh, Jodh; Khera, P. N. (1972). Indira's India. Indian School Supply Depot. p. 412.
  14. ^ "Gallantry Awards | Ministry of Defence, Government of India". www.gallantryawards.gov.in. Archived from the original on 31 December 2023.
  15. ^ "Border 2 True Story: Who was Lt Col Fateh Singh Kaler, played by Sunny Deol?". Retrieved 18 January 2026.