The Indian Army's Eastern Command has paid tribute to Sepoy Krishna Jagdale, a Vir Chakra recipient of the 1971 India-Pakistan war, as it prepares to mark the 55th anniversary of the conflict that culminated in the liberation of Bangladesh. The tribute, shared on 8 August via the Eastern Command's official account on social media platform X, recounted Jagdale's act of extraordinary bravery during operations in the Eastern Sector.

The Act of Valour

Jagdale was serving with 5 Maratha Light Infantry when his company was tasked with capturing an enemy post supported by a troop of tanks. Under intense machine gun and artillery fire, he crawled unaided to a medium machine gun bunker that was stalling the advance and silenced it with a grenade. He then turned his light machine gun on the remaining enemy posts until they too were neutralised.

The Eastern Command's post quoted the citation directly: 'Sepoy Krishna Jagdale was awarded Vir Chakra for his undaunted courage, determination, leadership and indomitable spirit. His bravery will inspire the generations to come.'

The 5 Maratha Light Infantry's Campaign

Prior to open hostilities, 5 Maratha Light Infantry had conducted aggressive patrolling in the Eastern Sector. When war broke out, the battalion — under Lieutenant Colonel J.P. Torpy — spearheaded the advance along the railway line from Andalbaria towards Safdarpur.

A fortified Pakistani position at Suadih, first encountered at dawn on 4 December 1971, was taken by 7 p.m. following phased attacks led by B Company under Major P.K. Chatterjee. The hand-to-hand fighting left 28 enemy dead in the trenches and four in the open; B Company suffered six killed and 16 wounded.

By 1 a.m. on 5 December, Safdarpur had been secured. A patrol encounter near Elangi cost the lives of Lieutenant Ghanekar and Sepoy Vilas Salunke. A subsequent Pakistani artillery barrage — including airbursts — killed 10 Ganpats (as Maratha troops are known) and wounded 28, forcing the evacuation of Lieutenant Colonel Torpy.

Advance to Magura and the Final Surrender

With Major C.K. Karumbaya in temporary command, the battalion advanced alongside two troops of PT-76 tanks and a mechanised infantry company, reaching Magura by 4 p.m. on 7 December. Enemy contact resumed on 9 December near Phulbari. Lieutenant Colonel Torpy, shell splinters still lodged in his body, resumed command on 10 December.

On 16 December 1971 — the day that became Vijay Diwas — Pakistani forces expressed their desire to surrender. At 3:30 p.m., Major General M.A. Ansari, General Officer Commanding of 9 Infantry Division of Pakistan, drove into the battalion headquarters before being taken to 4 Mountain Division Headquarters. The battalion had by then lost 20 of its Ganpats, with 46 wounded.

Honours and Decorations

Major Chatterjee, Naik Eknath Kardila, and Sepoy Krishna Jagdale were each awarded the Vir Chakra. Lieutenant Colonel Torpy received the Vishist Seva Medal, while Major Karumbaya and Sepoy Bajirao Jadhav were awarded the Sena Medal. Sepoy Vithal Walkunj was Mentioned-in-Despatches.

As the 55th anniversary of the 1971 victory approaches later this year, the Eastern Command's tribute underscores the enduring significance of individual acts of courage that shaped one of India's most decisive military campaigns.