Major Bakhtawar Singh Brar, one of oldest Army veterans, passes away at 109

Chandigarh: Major Bakhtawar Singh Brar (retd), one of the oldest veterans of the Indian Army and its Kumaon Regiment, passed away on July 4, 2023 in the US. He was 109. 

Noted author Jai Samota shared the news about Major Brar's death which was confirmed by Colonel N N Bhatia (retd), a veteran of the Kumaon Regiment who is well-versed in the history of the regiment.

Born on November 19, 1913, in a village in Faridkot district, Major Brar served in the Faridkot State Forces and then joined the 6 Kumaon Regiment before retiring in 1963. 

According to Col Bhatia, "He was born into a very poor farmer family in the Faridkot district of undivided Punjab and moved about bare feet. After studying and struggling hard, he enrolled in the Army and took part in World War II. He was later commissioned and served in 6 Kumaon known as Jangi Paltan."

Major Brar joined the State Forces of Maharaja of Faridkot in December 1934. He was awarded the Mention-in-Despatches by the King of England in 1942 for leading his company against the warring Pathans in Waziristan. 

He was serving in the Faridkot Field Company, Sappers and Miners, which was later amalgamated with the present-day Bengal Sappers.

Major Brar was commissioned into the 6 Kumaon Regiment in 1945 and saw action in World War II in Burma. In July 1956, he was posted back to 6 Kumaon from the Area Recruiting Office, Jullundur (now Jalandhar).

While serving in the 6 Kumaon, he was tasked with snow clearance in the rescue operation in Baltal on November 8, 1957, and was again awarded Mention-in-Despatches.

In 1959, he led a contingent of 6 Kumaon at the Republic Day Parade. He also received the Chief of Army Staff 'Commendation Card' for his distinguished service in Jammu and Kashmir in 1960. In March 1960, he was posted to the 111 Infantry Battalion (TA).

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