Battle of Khemkaran

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Battle of Khemkaran
Part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Pakistani soldiers in Khemkaran.png

Pakistani soldiers in Khemkaran
Date8–10 September 1965
Location
Khem Karan, Punjab, India
31°08′N74°34′E / 31.14°N 74.56°E / 31.14; 74.56
Result

Pakistani victory

Belligerents

Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan

Flag of India.svg  India

Commanders and leaders

Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg Gen Abdul Hamid Khan

Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg Maj Gen Nasir Khan		 Flag of Indian Army.svg Maj Gen Gurbaksh Singh
Units involved
1st Armoured Division, 51 Infantry Brigade, West Pakistan Rangers 4 Mountain Division, 2 Independent Armoured Brigade, Maratha Regiment, 1 Garhwal
Strength
Tanks, Infantry Tanks, Infantry
Casualties and losses
Heavy Heavy

The Battle of Khemkaran also known as Operation Mailed Fist, fought from 8 to 10 September 1965, was a key engagement during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Pakistani forces launched a major offensive with the aim of capturing the town of Khem Karan, located 5 km inside Indian territory, as part of a broader plan to advance toward Amritsar and the Beas River.

Contents

Background

The Pakistani 1st Armoured Division and 11 Infantry Division, under the command of Major General Nasir Khan, spearheaded the attack. Pakistan aimed to threaten India's XI Corps flank and relieve pressure on Lahore by capturing key Indian positions. Pakistani forces initially achieved significant gains, including the capture of Khem Karan on 8 September. [1]

Initially, Pakistani forces made significant gains. The Indian 4 Mountain Division, commanded by Major General Gurbaksh Singh and responsible for defending Khem Karan, was caught off guard by the scale and speed of the Pakistani assault. The open terrain in this region was conducive to tank warfare, and Pakistan believed its superior armoured force would quickly overwhelm the Indian Army. However, the Indian military leadership quickly adapted to the situation. Lieutenant General Harbaksh Singh, commanding the Western Command, ordered reinforcements, including the 2 (Independent) Armoured Brigade, commanded by Brigadier TK Theograj. Despite the early setbacks, Indian forces regrouped and prepared to confront Pakistan’s advancing armoured columns in a decisive manner. [2]

The Battle

Wall Clock of the Railway Station of Khem Karan. Now the clock is in the custody of the Army Museum Rawalpindi Wall Clock of the Railway Station of Khem Karan.png
Wall Clock of the Railway Station of Khem Karan. Now the clock is in the custody of the Army Museum Rawalpindi

Pakistani tanks advanced through difficult terrain but faced stiff resistance from Indian forces, including the 4 Mountain Division and the 2 Independent Armoured Brigade. Despite initial successes, logistical challenges and coordinated Indian counterattacks led to heavy casualties on both sides. According to At the Forward Edge of Battle: History of the Pakistan Armoured Corps, 1938-2005, elements of the Pakistani bridgehead were overextended, leading to critical vulnerabilities. The book notes:

On 8 September, the Pakistani 1st Armoured Division and 11 Infantry Division, under the command of Major General Nasir Khan, pushed an offensive towards Khem Karan with the intent to capture Amritsar and the bridge on River Beas to Jalandhar. Pakistan captured Khem Karan on 8th September, but beyond this point, the Pakistani tanks faced fierce resistance. They were engaged by the tanks of the Indian Deccan Horse and, despite attempts to break through and outflank the Indian positions, Pakistan’s advance stalled. [5]

Outcome

While Pakistan successfully captured Khem Karan, its forces were ultimately halted at Asal Uttar. Indian counterattacks, supported by superior air coordination, inflicted significant losses on the Pakistani 1st Armoured Division. The battle at Asal Uttar marked a turning point, leading to the eventual halt of Pakistani forces. [6] [7]

The Pakistan Army retained control of Khem Karan, a Tehsil-level town, until the end of the war. [8]

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References

  1. ↑ "The Battle of Khem Karan" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  2. ↑ "The Battle of Khem Karan" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  3. ↑ Major General Syed Ali Hamid (2016). At the Forward Edge of Battle: A History of the Pakistan Armoured Corps 1938–2016, Volume 2. Services Book Club. p. 52. In September, the leading elements had thus advanced only a mile past the customs post at Khem Karan. Ultimately, the brigade broke out on 8 September on two axes with the M47s of 6th Lancers under their indomitable commanding officer Lieutenant General Sahib Zad Gul.
  4. ↑ At the Forward Edge of Battle: History of the Pakistan Armoured Corps, 1938-2005. p. 53. Elements of the bridgehead were overextended and grappling with stiff opposition. Indian air superiority and logistical difficulties played a crucial role in limiting the effectiveness of the Pakistani advance.
  5. ↑ Yuv Raj Gupta (1967). 1965 War - Battle of Khem Karan. pp. 158–159.
  6. ↑ "Battle of Asal Uttar". Times of India.
  7. ↑ Rikhye, Ravi (24 February 2002). "The Battle of Assal Uttar: Pakistan and India 1965". Pakistan Orbat. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
  8. ↑ Vice Admiral Taj M. Khattak (R) (7 September 2020). "Reminiscences – 1965 Indo-Pak War".
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