1971 Bangladesh Liberation War Hero Brigadier BK Ponwar Passes Away, Tripura Remembers a Distinguished Soldier and Counter-Insurgency Leader

Agartala, 28th July: Brigadier Basant K Ponwar (Retd), VSM, a decorated veteran of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, former DIG of the 21 Sector Assam Rifles in Agartala, and one of India’s most respected counter-insurgency specialists, passed away on Sunday at his paternal house at Mhow in Uttar Pradesh.

Brigadier BK Ponwar served as Sector Commander, Headquarters 21 Sector Assam Rifles, Agartala, from 3 March 1999 to 6 February 2001.

Commissioned into the 1st Maratha Light Infantry in December 1969 as a young Lieutenant, Brigadier Ponwar dedicated his life to military service. During his early years, he served in several challenging operational areas, including Jammu & Kashmir, Nagaland, and Tripura, gaining extensive experience in anti-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.

One of the defining moments of his military career came during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, when, as a Second Lieutenant of the 1st Maratha Light Infantry, he participated in several historic operations. His unit played a crucial role in the liberation of Bakshiganj and Jamalpur before advancing towards Dhaka. He was also part of the historic link-up between the Indian Army and the Indian Paratroopers at the strategically significant Poongli Bridge, an operation that accelerated the fall of the Pakistani forces.

Brigadier Ponwar often fondly recalled a memorable exchange with legendary Mukti Bahini commander Kader Siddiqui near the Poongli Bridge. As Indian troops advanced, the young officer asked, “Dushman kidhar hai?” (“Where is the enemy?”). Kader Siddiqui famously replied, “Dushman bhaag raha hai!” (“The enemy is fleeing.”). The brief exchange has since become a cherished anecdote symbolising the close camaraderie between the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini during Bangladesh’s liberation struggle.

After the war, Brigadier Ponwar emerged as one of the Indian Army’s leading experts in counter-insurgency and jungle warfare. His operational experience extended across Tripura, the North-East, and later the Naxal-affected regions of Chhattisgarh.

During his tenure as DIG of 21 Sector Assam Rifles in Agartala, he supervised several major counter-militancy operations in Tripura. Among his most notable achievements was the successful ambush of an NSCN (IM) Long March through North Tripura near Khedacherra during the night of 2–3 March 1999. The operation dealt a significant blow to the insurgent group, with 13 militants killed, several others arrested, and the remaining forced to flee. The operation is still regarded as one of the landmark counter-insurgency successes in Tripura.

Although his tenure occasionally attracted public debate, journalist Jayanta Debnath, who interacted with him, remembers Brigadier Ponwar as an approachable and professional officer who maintained cordial relations with the media. Debnath recalls his willingness to engage constructively with journalists and facilitate their understanding of security issues in the region.

Following his assignment in Tripura, Brigadier Ponwar headed the prestigious Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) at Vairengte, Mizoram. He later established and led the specialised Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare College (CIJWC) in Kanker, Chhattisgarh, contributing significantly to the professional training of India’s security forces in modern counter-insurgency tactics.

Tripurainfo.com Editor Shri Jayanta Debnath, who knew him very closely, remembers him not only as a courageous soldier but also as a man deeply committed to military traditions. Debnath said Brigadier Ponwar came from a family with generations of military service and often spoke proudly of his family’s legacy in the armed forces. His son also followed the family tradition by joining the Indian Army.

His passing marks the end of an extraordinary military career spanning decades of service to the nation, from the battlefields of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War to the frontlines of India’s fight against insurgency.

Brigadier BK Ponwar will be remembered as a fearless officer, a military strategist, an institution builder, and a distinguished soldier whose contributions strengthened national security while leaving a lasting legacy in Tripura and across India.

Retired Brigadier Sarvesh Dutt Dangwal of Uttar Pradesh (West), while confirming the demise of Brigadier BK Ponwar, shared the following tribute with tripurainfo.com:

Brigadier BK Ponwar was one of those rare souls whose presence could never be mistaken or forgotten. He belonged to that fast-disappearing generation of officers who combined impeccable military professionalism with style, humour, courage, and an irrepressible appetite for life.

An alumnus of the illustrious Bishop’s School, Pune, the CSM of Charlie Squadron at the National Defence Academy, an officer of the legendary Jangi Paltan, and later the architect of training CAPF personnel for anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, BK lived every chapter of his life with characteristic élan.

His English was legendary. He spoke it with an almost exaggerated reverence for the language, a delightful affectation acquired during his Bishop’s School days. Every sentence was delivered with impeccable diction, theatrical precision, and a flourish that was uniquely BK. It was impossible not to smile while listening to him.

A gifted sportsman, he earned the coveted PT Half Blue at the NDA as an accomplished gymnast. Equally formidable in the boxing ring, he was a gritty pugilist who relished a contest and never conceded an inch. Physical courage came naturally to him, but what truly distinguished him was his adventurous spirit. As a young officer, he was forever looking for excitement, a worthy challenge, or the occasional panga that would add another story to the growing folklore surrounding him. Life, to BK, was never meant to be lived in half measures.

I had the privilege of attending the BSW(O) 5 Course with him at the Infantry School, Mhow. Among my many cherished memories is an afternoon spent over lunch at his father’s farmhouse, where the flamboyant soldier gave way to the warm, gracious, and deeply affectionate friend. Those moments remain among my fondest recollections.

BK was the quintessential cavalryman in spirit, regardless of the colour of his arm of service, a debonair gentleman, immaculately turned out, endlessly cheerful, and blessed with an infectious sense of humour. He had the rare ability to make every gathering livelier, every conversation more interesting, and every friendship stronger. His company was always sought because he carried with him an energy that lifted everyone around him.

Men like BK are not easily replaced. They belonged to an era when officers were expected not merely to lead from the front but also to live boldly, laugh heartily, and forge friendships that endured a lifetime.

With his passing, the Army fraternity has lost not just a distinguished officer but one of its most unforgettable characters, a true swashbuckler in every sense of the word.

Farewell, my dear friend. Thank you for the laughter, the camaraderie, the unforgettable memories, and the example of a life lived with courage, elegance, and joy.

Rest in peace, BK. Your footprints will remain etched in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing you.