Pandurang Salunkhe

Salunkhe was born in Manerajuri village, situated in the Sangli district of the Indian state Maharastra.

Salunkhe was recruited into the Indian Army in the 15 Maratha Light Infantry regiment on 13 February 1969. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Salunkhe's battalion (part of the 96 Infantry Brigade) was deployed in the Western sector. On the night of 3 December 1971, under cover of darkness, a large number of Pakistani troops attacked the posts held by the Border Security Force (BSF) at Fatehpur and Burj. The BSF was not able to withstand the attack, and thus the posts fell into Pakistani hands. Salunkhe's battalion was tasked with the recapture of the two posts and adjoining territory. On the night of 6 December 1971, the attack was launched: a battle involving close-quarter combat and bunker to bunker clearance ensued. During the battle, Salunkhe discovered a rocket launcher that he disabled. He was killed in the ensuing counter-attack.

Salunkhe was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest award for gallantry, for his actions in the battle. This came to be known as the Battle of Burj 1971.[2][3]

Every year, the Army Welfare Co-operative Housing Society in Salunke Vihar marks the anniversary of his death with a Martyrdom Day commemoration. [4]

• Indo-Pakistani War of 1971