Lahore Front

Last updated

Battle of Lahore
Part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
1965 war.jpg
Lt. Col. Hari Singh of the Indian 18th Cavalry posing outside a captured Pakistani police station (Barkee) with fellow soldiers in Lahore District.
Date6 September 1965 – 12 September 1965 (main phase, sporadic fighting continued until ceasefire)
Location
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
31°31′12″N74°21′29″E / 31.520°N 74.358°E / 31.520; 74.358
Result

Indian victory [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

Territorial
changes		 India captures around 360 [1] –500 [7] sq. km. of Pakistani territory on the outskirts of Lahore
Belligerents
Flag of India.svg  India Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan
Commanders and leaders
Flag of Indian Lieutenant Generals, Army Headquarters.svg Lt. Gen. J. S. Dhillon
(Commander, XI Corps)		Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg Col. Sarfaraz Khan [8]
Strength
100,000+
1 armoured division 		50,000
2 armoured divisions
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown
Pakistan location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Lahore
class=notpageimage|
Location of Lahore within Pakistan

The Battle of Lahore (Urdu: جنگِ لاہور; Jang-e-Lāhaur, Hindi: लाहौर की लड़ाई; Lāhaur kī laḍ.āī), also referred to as the Lahore Front, constitutes a series of battles fought in and around the Pakistani city of Lahore during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. [Note 1] The battle ended in a victory for India, as it was able to thrust through and hold key choke points in Pakistan while having gained around 360 to 500 square kilometres of territory. Indian forces halted their assault on Lahore once they had captured the village of Burki on its outskirts. [9] [10] [11] [12] The rationale for this was that a ceasefire−negotiated by the United States and the Soviet Union−was to be signed soon, and had India captured Lahore, It would have most likely been returned to the process of ceasefire negotiations. [10] [11] [12]

Contents

Prelude

After losing hope in the likelihood of a plebiscite being conducted in Kashmir, the Pakistan Army sent infiltrators into the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir through a covert operation, dubbed Operation Gibraltar, with the aim of stirring unrest among the Kashmiri locals against Indian rule and instigating a rebellion. [13] [14] The operation failed due to a variety of contributing factors, [15] and the infiltrators' presence was soon disclosed to the Indian military. India responded by deploying more troops in the Kashmir Valley and the Indian Army subsequently began its assault against the infiltrators operating in the region. Pakistan launched a major offensive named Operation Grand Slam on 1 September 1965 in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, [16] in an effort to relieve pressure on the infiltrators who had been surrounded and were holding out against Indian forces after the failure of Operation Gibraltar. Operation Grand Slam also aimed to assault and capture the Akhnoor bridge, which would not only cut off Indian supply lines, but also allow the Pakistani military to threaten Jammu, an important logistical point for Indian forces. [13] [17] The operation saw Pakistani forces go on the offensive and aggressively push into and take strategically vital points in Kashmir. In order to relieve the mounting pressure on the Kashmir front, India's counterattack saw its forces crossing the international border and invading the Pakistani province of Punjab, with the intention of diverting Pakistan's military units in Kashmir, where Indian troops were at a severe disadvantage. [13]

The battle

Pakistani soldiers disembark from their M4 Sherman during fighting with Indian soldiers around Lahore District Pakistani soldiers and sherman tank during Indian invasion of Lahore (1965).jpg
Pakistani soldiers disembark from their M4 Sherman during fighting with Indian soldiers around Lahore District

On the night of 5–6 September 1965, Indian XI Corps began its operations by advancing towards Lahore along three axes – Amritsar-Lahore, Khalra-Burki- Lahore and Khem Karan-Kasur roads, overwhelming the small Pakistani force. [18] Pakistan's 10 and 11 Divisions, which were deployed in the sector, began a series of rather confused delaying actions, and by the end of the first day the Indian infantry, backed by heavy armoured troops, were within striking distance of Lahore city. Some advance Indian units managed to capture Ichhogil canal on 6 September, but soon withdrew, since support and reinforcements were not expected to reach any time soon. [5]

Pakistani soon launched a three-pronged counterattack to counter Indian assault on 8 September [19] backed by its newly created 1 and 6 Armoured division to break through the front line formed by Indian 4 Grenadiers, 9 Jammu and Kashmir rifles, 1 & 9 Gurkha rifles and Rajput Rifles. [20]

On 8th, Pakistan began a counterattack south of Lahore from Kasur towards Khem Karan, an Indian town 5 km from the International Border. This was followed by another major armoured on 9 and 10 September to recapture lost ground despite heavy toll on Pakistani armour. [20] The Pakistani counterattack led to the capture of the village Khem Karan. [21] However, a massive Indian counterattack repulsed the Pakistani forces from this sector of Indian territory. Continued heavy attrition specially on Pakistani armour however meant Pakistan could not continue the counterattack from 10 onwards. [20]

Along the Amritsar-Lahore and Khalra-Burki-Lahore axis in middle Indian infantry won decisive battle at Burki. [19] Pakistani counterattack which started on 8th Pakistani artillery pounding Indian advance on 8,9 and 10 September. [3] Indian units continued their advance, and by 22 September, had reached the Ichhogil canal protecting the city of Lahore. [1] Pakistani counterattacks were effectively tackled at Burki with little armour support on 10th punishing Pakistani armour. [19] Indian advance then moved on to capture Dograi, a town in the immediate vicinity of Lahore. [5] After reaching the outskirts of Lahore Indian Army ensured that Lahore came under constant Indian tank fire to prepare for the main assault on Lahore city before ceasefire was announced. [6]

In the north India won another decisive battle at Phillora supported by its 1 Armoured Division on 11th destroying the Pakistani counterattack. [5] Indians continued to advance towards Chawinda in the north from Phillora and reached Chawinda by 17 September. [22] However, they were halted at Chawinda till ceasefire on 22 September. This was a result of the exceptional defences backed by artillery were created by Pakistani Brigadier A.A.K. Niazi who had started preparing the defences soon after fall of Phillora. The Indian attack in the north only lost momentum at the Battle of Chawinda, after more than 500 km2 of Pakistani territory had been captured. [7] The Pakistanis were helped by the fact that the network of canals and streams in the sector made for natural defensive barriers. In addition, the prepared defence, comprising minefields, dugouts and more elaborate pillboxes, proved problematic for the Indians. [1]

Aftermath

Even after the capture of Dograi on 20–21 September, no attempt was made to capture Lahore and the main assault on Lahore was not launched because a ceasefire was to be signed in the following couple of days and it was known that the city would have been given back to Pakistan even if it was captured. [23] By choosing to attack Lahore, the Indians had managed to relieve pressure from Chumb and Akhnoor in Kashmir, forcing the Pakistan Army to defend further south. [1]

At the end of hostilities on 23 September India retained between 140 square miles and 360 square kilometres of Pakistani territory in the Lahore front including major villages of Bedian, Barki, Padri, Dograi, Bhasin and Ichhogil Uttar along the eastern bank of the Ichhogil canal. Pakistan only gained a small tract of land around Khem Karan of 50 square kilometres. [24] [25]

Gallantry and awards

The Fighting Fifth Battalion of Indian Army which played an important part in capturing Burki was later conferred with "Battle Honour of Burki" and "Theatre of Honour, Punjab". [26]

The Pakistani commander, Major Raja Aziz Bhatti, was later awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, the highest military decoration given by Pakistan for the Battle of Burki, posthumously. Each year, he is honoured in Pakistan on 6 September, which is also known as Defence Day. [27]

Notes

  1. ↑ Also known as the Second Kashmir War.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indo-Pakistani war of 1965</span> 1965 war between India and Pakistan

The Indo-Pakistani war of 1965, also known as the second India–Pakistan war, was an armed conflict between Pakistan and India that took place from August 1965 to September 1965. The conflict began following Pakistan's Operation Gibraltar, which was designed to infiltrate forces into Jammu and Kashmir to precipitate an insurgency against Indian rule. The seventeen-week war caused thousands of casualties on both sides and witnessed the largest engagement of armored vehicles and the largest tank battle since World War II. Hostilities between the two countries ended after a ceasefire was declared through UNSC Resolution 211 following a diplomatic intervention by the Soviet Union and the United States, and the subsequent issuance of the Tashkent Declaration. Much of the war was fought by the countries' land forces in Kashmir and along the border between India and Pakistan. This war saw the largest amassing of troops in Kashmir since the Partition of India in 1947, a number that was overshadowed only during the 2001–2002 military standoff between India and Pakistan. Most of the battles were fought by opposing infantry and armored units, with substantial backing from air forces, and naval operations.

The 1st Armoured Division is an armoured division of the Indian Army, headquartered at Patiala, Punjab. It is part of II Corps of the Indian Army's Western Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dogra Regiment</span> Infantry regiment of the Indian Army

The Dogra Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army. The regiment traces its roots directly from the 17th Dogra Regiment of the British Indian Army. When transferred to the Indian Army like its sister regiments, the numeral prefix was removed. Units of the Dogra Regiment have fought in all conflicts that independent India has been engaged in, making it one of the most prestigious and most decorated regiments of the Indian Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Asal Uttar</span> Major battle in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

The Battle of Asal Uttar was one of the largest tank battles fought during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. It was fought from 8 to 10 September 1965, when the Pakistan Army thrust its tanks and infantry into Indian territory, capturing the Indian town of Khemkaran 5 km from the International Border. The Indian troops retaliated, and after three days of bitter fighting, the battle ended with the Pakistani forces being repulsed near Asal Uttar. Factors that contributed to this were the fierce fight put up by the Indian Army, conditions of the plains, better Indian tactics, and a successful Indian strategy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Gibraltar</span> 1965 Pakistani military operation

Operation Gibraltar was the codename of a military operation planned and executed by the Pakistan Army in the territory of Jammu and Kashmir, India in August 1965. The operation's strategy was to covertly cross the Line of Control (LoC) and incite the Muslim-majority Kashmiri population's uprising against the Indian Government. The military leadership believed that a rebellion by the local Kashmiri population against Indian authorities would serve as Pakistan's casus belli against India on the international stage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Chawinda</span> Battle in the Indo–Pakistani War of 1965

The Battle of Chawinda was a major engagement between Pakistan and India in the Second Kashmir War as part of the Sialkot campaign. It is well known as being one of the largest tank battles in history since the Battle of Kursk, which was fought between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany in World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ardeshir Tarapore</span> Decorated officer in the Indian Army

Lieutenant Colonel Ardeshir Burzorji Tarapore, PVC, was an Indian military officer and posthumous recipient of India's highest military award, the Param Vir Chakra. After completing his schooling in Pune, Tarapore joined the Hyderabad Army, and was commissioned in January 1942. Initially he joined the infantry, but was later transferred to an armoured regiment, the 1st Hyderabad Imperial Service Lancers. During World War II, Tarapore saw action in the Middle Eastern theatre of the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdul Hamid (soldier)</span> Indian Army soldier (1933–1965)

Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid Idrishi, was an Indian soldier. He was posthumously given India's highest military decoration, the Param Vir Chakra, for his actions during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Ichogil Bund</span> Skirmish of the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965

The Battle of Ichogil Bund also known as the Battle of BRB Canal was a skirmish fought from 22 September to 23 September 1965 as part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 by the 9th Battalion Madras Regiment, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel B.K. Satyan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">10th Indian Infantry Division</span> Infantry Division of the Indian army during World War II

The 10th Indian Infantry Division was a war formed infantry division of the Indian Army during World War II. In four years, the division travelled over 4,000 miles (6,400 km) from Tehran to Trieste, fought three small wars, and fought two great campaigns: the Anglo-Iraqi War, the Invasion of Syria–Lebanon, the Anglo-Soviet invasion of Iran, the North African Campaign, and the Italian Campaign.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defence Day</span> National holiday in Pakistan

Defence Day is celebrated in Pakistan as a national day to commemorate the sacrifices made by Pakistani soldiers in defending its borders. The date of 6 September marks the day in 1965 when Indian troops crossed the international border to launch an attack on Pakistani Punjab, in a riposte to Pakistan's Operation Grand Slam targeting Jammu. While it is officially commemorated as an unprovoked surprise attack by India, repulsed by the Pakistan Army despite its smaller size and fewer armaments, the narrative has been criticised by Indian commentators as representing false history.

The 11th Infantry Division is an active formation of the Pakistan Army. It is currently deployed in Lahore as part of IV Corps, and is responsible for the defence of that city and the surrounding areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6th Armoured Division (Pakistan)</span> Military unit

The 6th Armoured Division is a Pakistan Army armoured division currently based in Gujranwala, in Punjab Province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Phillora</span> Battle of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

The Battle of Phillora was a large tank battle fought during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. It commenced on 10 September when the Indian 1st Armoured Division, with four armoured regiments and supporting forces under command, attacked positions in the Sialkot sector held by Pakistani 6th Armoured Division. After three days the Pakistanis withdrew with the loss of 66 tanks. The Indians admitted to the loss of 6 Centurions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle and theatre honours of the Indian Army</span> Battle honours awarded to the Indian army

The Indian Army has a distinguished history in which they won many battle and theatre honours. The practice of giving battle honours began with the East India Company who awarded these to the units of the native Indian corps in their presidency armies. The practice continued after the advent of the British Crown post-1857 when the armies of the East India Company became part of the British Indian Army and even after India's independence in 1947. The earliest conflict for which a battle honour was awarded was "Plassey" which was awarded in 1829 to the 1st Regiment, Bengal Native Infantry which served the East India Company in Bengal while the latest is "Kargil" in 1999 awarded to units of independent India's army for feats during the Kargil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Burki</span> Battle of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

The Battle of Burki was fought by Indian infantry and Pakistani armour in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Burki is a village, that lies south-east of Lahore near the border with Punjab. For reference, that is just 11 km from the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, and is connected to Lahore by the a bridge over the Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian (BRB) Canal. During the battle, the strength of the two sides were relatively even. Indian infantry clashed with Pakistani forces that were entrenched in pillboxes, dug-outs and slit trenches that had been carved into the canal banks. The Pakistanis were supported by a large number of tanks, as well as fighter jets. The battle resulted in an Indian victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Day (Pakistan)</span>

Air Force Day is celebrated in Pakistan as a national day on 7 September, after the annual celebration of the Defence Day. Airshows and other programs mark the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) role in defending the nation in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

The Battle of Dograi was a military engagement from 20 to 22 September 1965, during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. It took place in the area of Dograi village on the outskirts of Lahore in Pakistani Punjab.

The Battle of Haji Pir pass was a military engagement from 26 to 28 August 1965, during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and resulted in India capturing the entire Haji Pir bulge including the 8,652 feet high Haji Pir pass in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Brigadier Thomas Krishnan Theogaraj (1919-2001) was a senior officer in the Indian Army. Brigadier Theogaraj commanded the 2nd Independent Armored Brigade and played a key role during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965. For his role in the war he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Praagh, David (2003). The greater game: India's race with destiny and China. McGill-Queen's Press – MQUP, 2003. p. 294. ISBN   978-0-7735-2639-6.
  2. 1 2 Hagerty, Devin (2005). South Asia in world politics. Rowman & Littlefield, 2005. p. 26. ISBN   978-0-7425-2587-0.
  3. 1 2 Gupta, Hari Ram. India-Pakistan war, 1965, Volume 1. Hariyana Prakashan, 1967.
  4. ↑ Dandavate, Madhu (2005). Dialogue with Life. Allied Publishers Pvt Ltd. ISBN   978-81-7764856-0.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Wilson, Peter (2003). Wars, proxy-wars and terrorism: post independent India. Mittal Publications, 2003. ISBN   978-81-7099-890-7.
  6. 1 2 The new encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2002. ISBN   978-0-85229-787-2.
  7. 1 2 Musharraf, In the Line of Fire, page 45.
  8. ↑ "File:Lt.Col SarfaraZ Khan.jpg", Wikipedia, 4 December 2011, retrieved 4 November 2020
  9. ↑ Melville de Mellow (28, November 1965). "Battle of Burki was another outstanding infantry operation". Sainik Samachar.
  10. 1 2 Hagerty, Devin. South Asia in world politics. Rowman & Littlefield, 2005. ISBN   0-7425-2587-2.
  11. 1 2 William M. Carpenter, David G. Wiencek. Asian security handbook: terrorism and the new security environment. M.E. Sharpe, 2005. ISBN   0-7656-1553-3.
  12. 1 2 John Keay. India: A History. Grove Press, 2001. ISBN   0-275-97779-X.
  13. 1 2 3 "Indo-Pakistan War of 1965". globalsecurity.org.
  14. ↑ Faruqui, Ahmad (6 August 2018). "Why did Operation Gibraltar fail?". Daily Times. Archived from the original on 5 July 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  15. ↑ M. Hali, Sultan (21 March 2012). "Operation Gibraltar—An Unmitigated Disaster?". Criterion Quarterly. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  16. ↑ GILLANI, M. A. (2013). "Tawi to Chak Kirpal September 1965 War". Defence Journal. 17 (2): 64 – via EBSCO.
  17. ↑ Bajwa, Farooq (2013). From Kutch to Tashkent: The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. Hurst. ISBN   978-1849042307.
  18. ↑ Johri, Sitaram. The Indo-Pak conflict of 1965. Himalaya Publications, 1967. pp. 129–130.
  19. 1 2 3 "Untitled Document".
  20. 1 2 3 Bajwa, Kuldip Singh. The Dynamics of Soldiering. Har-Anand Publication Pvt Ltd.
  21. ↑ Pradhan, R. D. (2007). 1965 war, the inside story: Defence Minister Y.B. Chavan's diary of India Pakistani War. Atlantic Publishers & Dist. ISBN   978-81-269-0762-5.
  22. ↑ Rao, K. V. Krishna (1991). Prepare or perish: a study of national security. Lancers Publishers, 1991. ISBN   978-81-7212-001-6.
  23. ↑ James Rapson, Edward; Wolseley Haig; Richard Burn; Henry Dodwell; Robert Eric Mortimer Wheeler; Vidya Dhar Mahajan. "Political Developments Since 1919 (India and Pakistan)". The Cambridge History of India. Vol. 6. S. Chand. p. 1013.
  24. ↑ Singh, Lt. Gen. Harbaksh (1991). War Despatches. Lancer International. p. 124. ISBN   81-7062-117-8.
  25. ↑ Rakshak, Bharat. "Official History Of 1965 war chapt 11, pg 22" (PDF). The Times of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 December 2018. Retrieved 11 July 2011.
  26. ↑ "War memorial inaugurated". Tribune News service. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  27. ↑ "Major Raja Aziz Bhatti". Nishan-i-Haider recipients. Pakistan Army. Archived from the original on 3 October 2013. Retrieved 25 September 2013.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.