Chittoor Venugopal

Major General Chittoor Venugopal PVSM, MVC
Born	(1927-11-14)14 November 1927 Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Died	27 April 2021(2021-04-27) (aged 93) Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh
Allegiance	India
Service/branch	Indian Army
Years of service	1950–1986
Rank	Major General
Unit	5/1 Gurkha
Commands held	5/1 Gurkha
Battles/wars	Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Awards	Param Vishisht Seva Medal Maha Vir Chakra

Major General Chittoor Venugopal PVSM, MVC (14 November 1927 – 27 April 2021) was a General Officer in the Indian Army. He was decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for his role in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971.

Early life

Major General Chittoor Venugopal was born in the holy town of Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, on 14 November 1927. His father's name was Shri C.Chinna Swami.

Military career

Major General Chittoor Venugopal was commissioned into the Indian Army in the 1st Gorkha Rifles (The Malaun Regiment), on 10 December 1950.

At the time of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was commanding the 5/1 Gurkha Rifles battalion which was deployed in Jessore area of the Eastern sector. On 4 December 1971, his battalion encountered well fortified Pakistani positions at Uthali and Darsana which had a series of concrete pillboxes interconnected with elaborate communication trenches. Lieutenant Colonel Venugopal laid a meticulous plan of attack and showing disregard for his own safety, personally led the attack. After capturing the two positions, the 5/1 Gurkha Rifles battalion pursued the withdrawing enemy troops, giving them no rest or time to regroup, leading to the capture of Jhenida three days later. For his leadership and aggressive battle planning resulting in large military gains, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest gallantry award.