1971 war hero Major General Chittoor Venugopal passes away at Tirupati

Born on November 14, 1927, Major General Chittoor Venugopal (retired) suffered severe cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital where he was declared dead.

A recipient of PVSM and MVC, Major General Chittoor Venugopal was commissioned in 5/1 Gorkha Rifles in 1950. He later commanded the same battalion as a Lieutenant Colonel during the 1971 Indo - Pak war.

5/1 Gurkha Rifles was tasked to attack the well-fortified positions of Pakistan at Uthali and Darsana locations of Jassore in the Eastern Sector

These positions were having series of concrete pillboxes interconnected with communication trenches. Venugopal laid a meticulous plan of attack and successfully captured two important positions which forced the enemy to withdraw.

5/1 Gurkha Rifles pursued the withdrawing enemy without giving them any rest or regroup. It led to the capture of Jhenida Post, Jessore within three days. For his leadership and aggressive battle planning resulting in large military gains, he was awarded the second-highest gallantry award Maha Vir Chakra (MVC).

Post-retirement, the General officer had limited social interaction and led a bachelor's life in the White House at Tirupati.

Army officers said the sad demise of the brave son of the soil of Andhra Pradesh is a great loss to the Army and the Nation as a whole.

His last journey was curtailed due to Covid Pandemic and the Ceremonial Wreath laying was organized at Tirupati with limited attendance of the relatives, Civil Dignitaries, and the Armed forces veterans.

Like a true soldier, Major General Chittoor Venugopal had made a wish to donate his body for research. Later, his body was donated to Sri Venkateshwara Medical College.