2026 is gearing up to be an exciting year for Bollywood with many high-profile releases lined up. One of the most highly anticipated of the lot is definitely the Sunny Deol and Varun Dhawan-starrer, Border 2. For those who grew up on the iconic, original Border, the release of the successor is bound to evoke some hard-hitting nostalgia. Set to release on January 23 2026, just in time for Republic Day, the long awaited first look for Border 2 was finally released by T-Series Films and the excitement in the air is palpable.
The first look poster features Varun Dhawan dressed in full soldier regalia with a gun in his hand and a fierce expression on his face. He is set to play Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, a hero of the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war and fans are already predicting that this movie is going to achieve an instant classic status just like the original. So today, let us dive deeper into the story of the real-life Major Hoshiar Singh Dahiya and learn about his bravery which ultimately saw him awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honour.
Who was Hoshiar Singh Dahiya?
Born on May 5 1936, to a Jat family of the Dahiya clan in Haryana, Hoshiar Singh Dahiya joined the army immediately after completing his schooling. He was commissioned in the Grenadiers regiment in 1963 and promoted to lieutenant in 1965. His first posting was in Arunachal Pradesh or the erstwhile NEFA that it was known as till 1972.
He first saw action during the Indo-Pak conflict of 1965 at Rajasthan according to the Gazette of India. Then, in 1969 he saw another promotion and this time it was to the position of captain.
His bravery during the 1971 Indo-Pak war
According to the Paramvir Chakra citation on the Official Indian Army website, Hoshiar Singh Dahiya saw major action in December of 1971. A battalion belonging to his regiment, the Grenadiers, was given the task to establish a bridgehead across the Basantar river in Shakargarh district. Dahiya was given the responsibility of commanding the left forward company and ordered to capture the enemy locality of Jarpal.
A well protected and armed stronghold, it was held in strength by the Pakistani side. During the process of capturing it, his company was attacked by heavy gunfire via machine guns and effective shelling but this did not deter the fearless Hoshiar Singh Dahiya. Instead, he led the charge and without regard for his own safety, engaged in hand to hand combat – successfully capturing the objective.
The opposition, after learning of this, launched three counter attacks the following day with at least two being supported by armour. However, Dahiya displayed a rare kind of courage by ignoring the heavy shelling and instead moved from trench to trench encouraging the soldiers to stand their ground and fight. Inspired by his bravery and ferocity, his company successfully repulsed all attacks and instead managed to inflict heavy casualty on the enemy.
The following day on December 17, the Pakistani side launched an attack yet again and this time with a battalion supported by heavy artillery. Despite being seriously wounded by enemy fire, he continued to move from trench to trench without a care. Then, something major happened. An enemy shell landed near the medium machine gun post which severely injured the crew and rendered it inoperative. Dahiya, realizing the importance of the gun quickly sprung to action despite his injuries and manned the gun – inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.
The attack ensured that the enemy retreated and left 85 dead with three major officers and their commanding officer included in the casualties. Hoshiar Singh Dahiya still refused to be evacuated in spite of his grievous wounds because he awaited ceasefire.
The citation mentions that, “Throughout this operation, Major Hoshiar Singh displayed most conspicuous gallantry, indomitable fighting spirit and leadership in the highest traditions of the Army.” He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra on Republic Day 1972.