Brigadier Basant Kumar Ponwar, Pioneer of Modern Jungle Warfare Strategies, Passes Away at 77

Mhow/Indore (Madhya Pradesh), July 29–30, 2026: Brigadier Basant Kumar Ponwar (Retd), a distinguished veteran of the 1971 Indo-Pak War and a key figure in developing India's modern jungle warfare tactics against Left Wing Extremism, has passed away at the age of 77 in his family home in Mhow, Indore district, Madhya Pradesh. His family confirmed his passing on Wednesday.

Ponwar, celebrated as the architect of contemporary counter-guerrilla training that revolutionized the fight against Maoist insurgency in the forests of Bastar and other areas, is survived by his mother, Devika Ponwar, and two sons, who are both serving officers in the Indian Army.

Born on March 3, 1949, in Indore, Ponwar was commissioned into the 1st Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry (1 MLI) in December 1969. By 1971, he was actively involved in the Bangladesh Liberation War. Serving with the 95 Mountain Brigade, he participated in cross-border operations, collaborated in ambushes with Mukti Bahini fighters, and executed raids on Pakistani positions in Kamalpur and Bakshiganj. He also played a crucial role as a link officer during the historic Tangail paradrop and was instrumental in the rapid advance toward Dhaka.

During his 36-year tenure in the Indian Army, Ponwar commanded 1 MLI and later held the position of Commandant at the Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School (CIJWS) in Vairengte, Mizoram. While at this prestigious institution, he oversaw the inaugural Indo-US joint exercise Yudh Abhyas in 2004. His exceptional service earned him the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM). His operational expertise extended across several counter-insurgency theaters, including Nagaland, Punjab, Tripura, and the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.

Upon retiring from the Army, Ponwar was appointed Inspector General of Police by the Chhattisgarh government to leverage his specialized skills against the growing Maoist threat. In August 2005, he established the Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare College (CTJWC) in Kanker, North Bastar. Starting with a small team of nine officers and NCOs with Army experience, the institution was set up in a mere four-and-a-half months using earthmovers for firing ranges and endurance tracks, growing into a pivotal training center in India’s internal security framework.

Under the guiding principle of “Fight the guerrilla like a guerrilla,” Ponwar led the college for 18 years. During his leadership, the institution trained over 37,000 personnel from state police forces in Maoist-affected regions and central paramilitary organizations, including the CRPF, BSF, ITBP, and SSB. The training focused on practical jungle skills, small-team tactics, endurance, and the capability to engage in combat within the dense forests that had long been Maoist bastions.

This approach significantly transformed the security forces' capabilities. Units that had previously been hesitant to operate deep within Naxal-dominated areas began establishing company operating bases in a grid pattern, advancing into previously inaccessible territories, and steadily reclaiming ground. This shift helped move the campaign from containment toward progressively diminishing the influence of Left Wing Extremism, leading to a notable reduction in affected districts over time.

Former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh expressed his respects, acknowledging Ponwar’s “historic contribution in enhancing our soldiers' proficiency in jungle warfare, thereby strengthening the security forces, which is unforgettable. His passing is an irreplaceable loss for the state and the country.” The Chhattisgarh Police highlighted his bravery, leadership, and dedication in the fight against Naxalism as a lasting inspiration, emphasizing that his contribution to the state's security infrastructure is unforgettable. Tributes also came from Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and across security and veteran communities.

Ponwar's career spanned conventional warfare and prolonged internal security campaigns. From the 1971 battlefields to the dense forests of Bastar, he combined combat expertise with visionary leadership. The Counter Terrorism and Jungle Warfare College in Kanker stands as a testament to his legacy — an institution that professionalized police and paramilitary approaches to guerrilla warfare and helped shift the balance against one of India’s persistent internal security challenges.

India mourns the loss of a soldier-scholar and institution-builder whose dedicated work over five decades left a profound impact on the nation’s jungle warfare capabilities.