Meet the Victor of Basantar- Lt General WAG Pinto

When a celebrated army general's motto in life is 'Bash on regardless', you can almost smell the gunpowder in the air. Of course, gunpowder and action have been the leitmotif of 87-year-old retired Lieutenant General WAG Pinto's 40-year-old illustrious career in the Indian army which culminated in him becoming the Eastern Army Commander.

Now settled in Pune, Pinto, better known as the Victor of Basantar for leading the army's 54 Infantry Division to victory in what is arguably the country's most famous ground battle, has recently released his memoirs in a short, crisp book titled, Bash On Regardless.

Pinto, who by his own admission is intellectual and flamboyant, has never hesitated to walk the talk. Nowhere was this more evident than in the Battle of Basantar in the 1971 Indo-Pak war in which Pinto directed his troops to attack the enemy from behind resulting in a resounding victory. In what is an Indian army record, Pinto's division won as many as 196 gallantry medals in just 14 days of fierce fighting. These include two Param Vir Chakras and nine Mahavir Chakras.

The general's book penned with characteristic wit and humour explains this battle vividly. It also captures the high quality of leadership exhibited by him.

When Pinto saw the enemy firmly ensconced in an area called the Supwal ditch across the Basantar river, he decided to daringly cross it at night to attack the enemy from behind. The general's daring plan paid off. The Pakistanis panicked when they saw Indian foot soldiers and a tank regiment cross a makeshift bridge.

They counter attacked our 45 tanks with 90 tanks. In the legendary battle that took place on the morning of December 16, 1971, young, 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetrapal covered himself with glory when he single-handedly destroyed half a dozen enemy tanks, before dying a martyr's death. Khetrapal was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously.

"Khetrapal was an unusual lad. Completely unafraid of the consequences, he was a part of a regiment that had exquisite, gunnery skills. This is why I had the confidence to attack the enemy with just one tank regiment," recalls the general.

Consequently, Indian forces destroyed 66 Pakistani tanks and established complete control over the Basantar river and the Supwal ditch. For a man who has led so much from the front, the general has a simple definition of leadership. He says, "To begin with, a good leader must have a strong personality and a good sense of humour. He must be able to inspire his men to do what he wants them to do."

Admiration for Pinto is evident in this foreword written by Lt Gen (retd) BT Pandit in the book. Pandit writes, "Even in stressful situations, he (Pinto) retained and exhibited a unique sense of humour. He was a role model for all of us."Pinto's book is available at Manneys Book store in Pune Camp.