How Rajasthan’s ‘Poonam Singh’ stopped 60 Pakistani Rangers in 1965 from capturing an Indian post

Jaisalmer (Rajasthan), May 05 2025 (ANI): Just 5–7 Kms from the Indo-Pak border lies Bhutto Wali Chowki, a silent post that witnessed one of the heroic stands in the 1965 India-Pakistan War. This strategic frontier post was attacked under the cover of darkness by over 60 Pakistani Rangers led by enemy commander Afzal Khan. But standing between them and Indian soil was Poonam Singh Bhati, a brave soldier deployed with seven comrades. Undeterred by being vastly outnumbered, Poonam Singh fought back with fierce determination. As the battle raged on and ammunition ran low, legend has it that Singh crossed into enemy lines to retrieve cartridges from the Pakistani camp and returned to continue the fight. By the end of the night, he had gunned down Afzal Khan along with 8 Pakistani Rangers before laying down his own life in the line of duty. The remaining enemy forces fled in fear, and Bhutto Wali Post remained under Indian control. A memorial stands at the site, commemorating the courage and sacrifice of Poonam Singh Bhati