Krishnaswamy Sundarji - Life As A Soldier

Life As A Soldier

Even as a young soldier he proved himself to be a leader, a man of foresight and wisdom. He was commissioned in 1946 into the Mahar Regiment, where his work involved two of the most troublesome areas of North-West Frontier Province and then in Jammu and Kashmir.

In the period following India's independence (and separation from Pakistan), he was involved in action in Kargil, when a host of mercenaries supported by Pakistan invaded Kashmir.

In 1963 he served in the UN mission in the Congo, where he was chief of staff of the Katanga command and was mentioned in dispatches for his gallantry.

In 1965 he was once again back in action in India, to fight in the Indo-Pak war. The war was a complete misadventure by Pakistan. But it could have gone either way. This might have made Sundarji realize the crucial role, technology could play in winning wars, placed as he was in command of an Infantry battalion.

He played an important role as Brigadier General Staff of corps in the Rangpur sector of Bangladesh, during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. This war led to the liberation of Bangladesh.

He became a Major General in 1974.For the first time in the history of Indian Army, an Infantry Officer became the General Officer Commanding(GOC)of the elite First Armoured Division. He was chosen by Gen. KV Krishna Rao to be part of a small team for reorganizing the Indian army, especially with regard to technology. . He came to head the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, which he had himself shaped, by inducting various battlaions from Indian army's premier regiments.