Rajasthan Campaign (1965)

Last updated
Rajasthan Campaign
Part of Indo-Pakistani war of 1965
Kishangarh Fort Capture.jpg
A view of the Kishangarh Fort in Rajasthan.jpg
Checkpost at Munabao captured by Pakistan.jpg
Munabao.jpg
Captured Indian tank in Rajasthan.jpg
Rajasthan-gutaro-fort.jpg

Top-left to bottom-right:
  • Pakistan Rangers and Hurs posing in front of Kishangarh Fort
  • View of the Kishangarh Fort in Rajasthan with Pakistani guard
  • Captured checkpost at Munabao
  • Munabao railway station, controlled by Pakistan
  • Pakistani soldiers with a captured Indian tank
  • Pakistani troops, Desert Rangers, and Hurs at Gutaro Fort in Rajasthan
Date8–23 September 1965
Location
Result

Pakistani victory

  • Pakistan captures large swathes of Indian land
Territorial
changes
Pakistan captures 500-600 square kilometers of territory (neutral sources), 1200 square kilometers captured (Pakistani sources)
Belligerents

Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistan

Flag of India.svg India

Commanders and leaders
Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg Brig. Khuda Dad Khan
Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg Brig. K. M. Azhar Khan
Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg Faqir Jamal Mangrio
Flag of Indian Army.svg Brig. J. C. Guha
Flag of Indian Army.svg Lt. Gen. Moti Sagar
Flag of Indian Army.svg Maj. Gen. N. C. Rawley
Flag of Indian Army.svg Brig. H. N. Summanwar
Units involved
Pakistan Rangers
18th Punjab Regiment
51st Infantry Brigade
14th Artillery Regiment
Hur tribal force
Maratha Regiment
Rajasthan Armed Constabulary
30th Indian Infantry
3rd Guards
1st Garhwal
4th Maratha Light Infantry
85th Indian Infantry
17th Madras
13th Grenadiers
Casualties and losses
unknown but minimal 250-300 killed
237+ captured
3 tanks captured

The Rajasthan Campaign was a series of battles and skirmishes fought between Pakistan and India in India's Rajasthan state, during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965. The campaign saw the Pakistan Rangers, accompanied by the Hur tribal warriors, raid and capture numerous Indian positions and fortifications along the border between Sindh and Rajasthan. The campaign was largely a success for Pakistan with 500-1200 square kilometers of Indian territory captured, comprising the bulk of Pakistan's territorial advances during the war. [1] [2]

Contents

Background

The initial stages of the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 were confined to the disputed region of Kashmir. Although India saw initial success battling Pakistani-supported guerillas in Kashmir in late-August, the situation changed on 1 September when the Pakistan Army launched Operation Grand Slam, a large offensive with the aim of capturing crucial locations in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). India subsequently suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Chamb, and in order to relieve pressure in the region, crossed the international border in Punjab on 6th September 1965. This led to the escalation of the war to other fronts, such as Rajasthan and Sialkot. [3]

The Hurs

The main tribe living in the border areas of Sindh are the Hurs. They had rebelled against the British in World War II, and had experience fighting in the terrain. This made them a crucial asset for Pakistan in the campaign. Their desert warfare and survival skills were far superior to those of the Indian Army. Thousands of Hurs volunteered to fight for Pakistan, commanded by Faqir Jamal Mangrio. Due to financial constraints, they could only be given basic training and weaponry, but they proved to be the most effective unit in the campaign nonetheless. [4] Together with the Pakistan Rangers they formed the 'Desert Force' of the 1965 war. The capture of numerous fortresses and outpost by the Hurs is regarded as one of the finest examples of use of local militia in South Asia. [5]

Pakistani offensive

Hostilities in Rajasthan began on 8 September 1965, with the Pakistan Desert Force carrying out raids on Indian border posts. The Hurs were utilized as light infantry and skirmishers, a task which they carried out on camel-back. Although India's war efforts were focused on northern Punjab, they had left some forces in Rajasthan with the aim of launching desert offensives. However, Pakistani-Hur operations forced India to be on the defensive throughout September right up till the ceasefire. [6]

Several major engagements occurred during the campaign:

Siege of Kishangarh

Kishangarh Fort (not to be confused with the historic fortress of the same name) was a key Indian fortress located 11 kilometers from the border with Pakistan. It was situated along the only road which linked Rajasthan to the Pakistani city of Rahim Yar Khan. On 8 September, the first major incursion by Pakistan was launched and Kishangarh was besieged. After 10 days of fighting, the garrison surrendered and the fortress was captured on September 18. [1] [7]

Capture of Munabao Station

Demarcation Stone between Pakistan and India at Munabao Demarcation Stone At Munabo.png
Demarcation Stone between Pakistan and India at Munabao

Further south, the Desert Force launched a new attack on September 10. Munabao, station was shelled by Pakistan's 14th Artillery Regiment. Brigadier K. M. Azhar Khan and his forces of 18th Punjab regiment had captured the station by mid-day 11 September. [4]

Gadra skirmishes

On 11 September, small skirmishes were reported near the Pakistani border village of Gadra. Retaliatory raids were launched by the Desert Force on the town of Gadra Road on the Indian side, where a railway station was located. A skirmish on 14 September resulted in the capture of an entire Indian platoon, with 36 captured including 1 officer. [1]

Attacks on Rohera and Panchla

Following the success at Munabao, Brig. Azhar Khan ordered further attacks on the nearby Indian posts of Rohera and Panchla. The attacks were successful and the positions were captured on 12 and 13 September respectively. Together with Munabao they formed a chain of Indian positions occupied by Pakistan. [4]

Capture of Ghotaro Fort

Ghotaro fort was another key Indian fortification located around 20 kilometers inside Indian territory. The fortress was attacked and captured by Pakistan on 22 September. [1] [8] Five other Indian army posts (Bhutewala, Malesar, Rai Chandwala, Bulli Kallan and Kala Dhar Toba) had been captured by 23 September. [9]

Indian counteroffensive

India was largely on the defensive throughout the Rajasthan campaign, save for minor raids early on which were repelled by Hurs. [1] The only significant Indian counterattack in this sector of the war was launched on 21 September towards the Pakistani village of Dahli, about 13 kilometers from the border.

Battle of Dahli

The counterattack consisted of elements of the Maratha regiment along with 17th Madras and a tank troop (consisting of 3 tanks). [4] The initial engagement lasted several hours and India ended up capturing the village with some losses. The outnumbered Pakistani unit defending Dahli retreated to the nearby town of Khinsar. When news of the attack reached Brigadier Azhar Khan, he turned 18 Punjab Reg. around from Munabao and launched a counterattack to reclaim Dahli from the north. [4] This move was a success and Dahli was liberated on 22 September, with as many as 97 Indian soldiers killed [1] and 180 more captured [4] including at least 7 officers. [1] All 3 Indian tanks involved in the battle were captured in working condition. [10]

Ceasefire

23 September saw only minor clashes in the region. The ceasefire was signed by India and Pakistan, bringing an end to hostilities across all fronts and subsequently the Rajasthan campaign drew to a close. It is generally regarded as a major Pakistani victory.

Casualties and losses

According to Pakistani sources, between 8 and 19 September, at least 150-200 Indian soldiers were killed and 57 captured (36 in the skirmish near Gadra on 14 September and 21 in other encounters). [1] Another 97 Indian soldiers were killed and 180 captured in Dalli on 22 September. [4] [1] This makes India's total losses 250-300 killed and upwards of 237 captured, as well as 3 tanks captured. [10] Pakistan's losses were minimal.

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