A Tata bus features in the Hindi movie ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike’ of the war film genre, the movie, released on January 11, 2019, is about the Indian army’s retaliation to the 2016 Uri attack. Directed by Aditya Dhar, the movie is a dramatic tell-tale account of the rather bold operation carried out by the country’s bravehearts. Scripted to spread over five chapters, the movie, in its opening scene shows the United Liberation Front of Western South East Asia insurgents leading an ambush of a military convoy in Chandel district, Manipur. The ghastly act resulted in the loss of eighteen soldiers of the Indian Army, and 15 soldiers suffering serious injuries.
The Tata bus an LP 1512, is part of an army convoy, and consists of Ashok Leyland Field Artillery Tractors (FAT) among other defense vehicles. The bus ferrying soldiers suffers a puncture and is forced to halt at a deserted spot. On getting off the bus for an inspection, the driver discovers a trail of triangle nail spikes. Before he can signal of foul-play, the convoy, which includes the Tata LP 1512 is ambushed. After several rounds of crossfire, and shielding the soldiers, the bus is blown up by a militant using an improvised explosive device. In the aftermath, the army gives a befitting reply, and makes ‘URI’ a movie worth the effort.
The bus, a popular model in India and the neighbouring countries, is had in a sub-eight metre ranging upto 12 m. Supplied as a cowl chassis to build the body over the chassis, the bus used mainly by budget service providers like state transport, and institutional buyers mainly, not discounting the private transporters for low-cost intercity and interstate operations, is powered by a front-mounted Tata-Cummins B 5.9-litre common rail engine, rated for a maximum power of 137 hp at 2500 rpm and a peak torque of 430 Nm at 1500 rpm. The engine is mated to a GBS 40 five-speed manual transmission box. The suspension is made up of semi elliptical leaf springs and hydraulic double-acting telescopic type dampers. It is capable of seating up to 45 people in the 12 m guise.
