Tank Ambush at Kushtia

Last updated
Tank Ambush at Kushtia
Part of Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Com L20-0933-0007-0001.jpg
Indian tanks advancing toward Kushtia
Date9 December 1971
Location
Result Ambush successful [1]
Belligerents
Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan Flag of India.svg  India
Commanders and leaders
Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg Major Sher ur Rahman [2] Flag of Indian Army.svg Brigadier P. N. Tiwari
Units involved

Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg  Pakistan Army

Flag of Indian Army.svg  Indian Army

Strength
Casualties and losses
  • 1 tank destroyed
  • 5 tanks destroyed
  • 13 P.O.W
  • 111 casualties

The Tank Ambush at Kushtia was a significant but often overlooked battle during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1971. It involved a small Pakistani force executing a highly effective ambush against a larger Indian force, leading to substantial losses and a delay in the Indian advance. [1] [3] [4]

Contents

Background

The Battle of Kushtia occurred in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) on December 9, 1971, during the attle during the Indo-Pakistani war. In this context, Pakistan's Eastern Front was under significant pressure, with Indian forces advancing rapidly through East Pakistan. The Indian 2nd Corps, under the command of Lieutenant General Raina, was tasked with securing key strategic points, including Khulna, Jessore, and Kushtia. [5]

The Pakistani 9th Infantry Division, commanded by Major General Ansari, was tasked with holding this front. However, the division was poorly coordinated, and its leadership was widely criticized for not organizing an effective defense.

In the midst of this dire situation, a small force, including Pakistani tanks and infantry, set up an ambush that would prove to be a significant tactical success. [1]

The Battle

On the morning of December 9, 1971, a Pakistani force, led by Major Sher ur Rahman, set up a well-coordinated ambush on the outskirts of Kushtia, utilizing a mix of light tanks, anti-tank guns, and infantry. The Indian 7th Brigade, part of the 4th Mountain Division, was advancing through the area when they unknowingly entered the kill zone.

The first shot from a Pakistani Chaffee light tank hit an Indian T-55 tank, setting off a series of devastating attacks. The Indian column, poorly coordinated and moving too closely together, suffered heavy casualties. Indian infantry were caught off-guard as their tanks were destroyed one by one. Within moments, most of the Indian tanks were neutralized, and the remaining forces attempted to withdraw. [6]

The Pakistani forces, despite being vastly outnumbered, displayed exceptional leadership and tactical awareness. Major Rahman's ambush tactics led to the destruction of five Indian tanks, with only one tank managing to escape the area.

Indian commanders, including Lieutenant General Raina, were caught off-guard and reacted hastily by ordering a halt to the advance. The Indian 4th Mountain Division was ordered to regroup and move back to Kushtia, which resulted in a critical delay in their offensive operations. [1]

Casualties

India suffered from 111 casualties including 6 officers, 5 out of 6 tanks destroyed. Moreover, Pakistani forces also captured 13 Indian prisoners of war, including an artillery officer, Captain R Singh. Meanwhile, Pakistan lost only 1 tank and suffered from some minor casualties. [7] [3]

Aftermath

While the Battle of Kushtia was a tactical victory for Pakistan, it did not significantly alter the course of the war. The Pakistani forces withdrew during the night, and the Indian Army resumed its advance after a brief halt.

The delay caused by the ambush allowed Pakistani forces some time to withdraw, [8] but by the time reinforcements could arrive, the strategic situation for Pakistan had become untenable. [1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tank Ambush at Kushtia". ResearchGate. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  2. https://hilal.gov.pk/view-article.php?i=6861%5B%5D
  3. 1 2 Shah, Syed Ithar Hussain (2022). A thousand miles apart: 1971 war in East Pakistan. Army Institute of Military History. Rawalpindi: Army Institute of Military History. p. 'p'220-223. ISBN   978-969-23679-1-2.
  4. Niazi, Amir Abdullah Khan (1998). The Betrayal of East Pakistan. Manohar. p. 'p'141. ISBN   978-81-7304-256-0.
  5. "The Amphibious Armour Advantage – Indian Army" . Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  6. "News Article in Depth". www.bharat-rakshak.com. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  7. https://www.aimh.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/remembering-kashmir.pdf [ bare URL PDF ]
  8. Gill, John H. (2003). An Atlas of the 1971 India - Pakistan War: The Creation of Bangladesh. National Defense University, Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies. p. 'p'23.