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No. 08/2019 AN PUBLICATION August 2019 BATTLE OF HAJIPIR (INDO-PAK WAR 1965)

Major Ranjit Singh DAyal, PVSM, MVC

akistan’s forcible attempt to annex Kashmir was defeated when , even though surprised by the Pakistani offensive, responded with extraordinary zeal and turned the tide in a war, Pakistan thought it would win. Assuming discontent in Kashmir with India, Pakistan sent infiltrators to precipitate Pinsurgency against India under ‘OPERATION GIBRALTAR’, followed by the plan to capture Akhnoor under ‘OPERATION GRAND SLAM’. The Indian reaction was swift and concluded with the epic capture of the strategic Haji Pir Pass, located at a height of 2637 meters on the formidable PirPanjal Range, that divided the Kashmir Valley from Jammu. A company of 1 PARA led by (later ) Ranjit Singh Dayal wrested control of Haji Pir Pass in Jammu & Kashmir, which was under the Pakistani occupation. The initial victory came after a 37- hour pitched battle by the stubbornly brave and resilient troops. Major Dayal and his company accompanied by an Artillery officer started at 1400 hours on 27 August. As they descended into the valley, they were subjected to fire from the Western shoulder of the pass. There were minor skirmishes with the enemy, withdrawing from Sank. Towards the evening, torrential rains covered the mountain with thick mist. This made movement and direction keeping difficult. The men were exhausted after being in the thick of battle for almost two days. But Major Dayal urged them to move on. On reaching the base of the pass, he decided to leave the track and climb straight up to surprise the enemy. He and his men climbed the difficult hillside by night, carrying heavy loads through the rain, often wading through knee deep water. At 0430 hours they hit the Uri-Poonch road. By 0600 hours they had arrived at the foot of the Pass. On coming under heavy fire, Major Dayal left the leading platoon and the Artillery officer to engage the enemy and led the rest of his men from the right flank. They climbed the Western shoulder of the Pass and then rolled down on the enemy unleashing heavy fire. The Pakistanis were utterly surprised as they left their weapons and ran down the hill to escape. The contribution of the other four Battalions of 68 Infantry Brigade namely 19 Punjab, 4 Rajput, 6 Jammu & Kashmir Rifles and 4 are equally commendable in the Battle of Hajipir. 1 PARA captured the Pass by 1030 hours on 28 August. The Battalion not only captured the objective allotted to it in the Phase 1 of the Brigade attack but exploited the success to complete the task allotted in Phase 2 of the attack. Major RS Dayal was awarded MahaVir Chakra for his gallantry and leadership in the battle. 1 PARA was awarded the ‘Battle Honour of Hajipir’ and the ‘Theatre Honour of Jammu and Kashmir’.

2 Baatcheet August 2019 August 2019 From the Editor’s Desk he constantly changing battlefield milieu and rapid advancements in technology brought to fore the challenges to training andT development of new concepts for our Army. A need was hence felt to develop, formulate and analyse concepts and doctrines at strategic and operational levels for the emerging security environment. To meet the above requirements, Army (ARTRAC) was raised at its initial location in on 01 October 1991. The raising was completed in March 1993 whereupon Battle of Hajipir (Indo-Pak War 1965)...... 2 it moved to its present location at Shimla in Chief’s Page...... 4 November 1993. In Focus...... 5 ARTRAC ensures effectiveness of the Snippets...... 6-7 training, formulates concepts and doctrines of warfare in the fields of strategy, operational art, ARTRAC Special...... 8-9 tactics, logistics, training and human resource J&K Diary...... 10 development, particularly in the light of emerging North East Diary...... 11 security environment and introduction of nuclear Communique...... 12 weapons in our subcontinent. ARTRAC acts as the Welfare and Empowerment ...... 13 nodal agency for all institutional training in the Army and evolves joint doctrines in conjunction Training...... 14 with other Services. A major restructuring took Sports and Adventure...... 15 place in September 2001 when REDFOR was Regimental Celebrations...... 16 created from within the existing resources to study CONTACT FOR QUERIES concepts, doctrines and tactics of our adversaries Publisher : Additional Directorate General, and apply these in two sided training and exercises Public Information, IHQ of MoD (Army) Office : B-30, South Block, New Delhi - 110011 at Corps level and above. Tele : Off - 23018665, 33332/33249 Indian Army Website : www.indianarmy.nic.in or The organisation of ARTRAC is today fully www.indianarmy.gov.in responsive to meet the challenges of the futuristic Facebook : www.facebook.com/indianarmy.adgpi Twitter : www.twitter.com/adgpi battlefield environment. Youtube : adgpi-indiaNarmy Instagram : @Indianarmy.adgpi Editor Baatcheet Email : [email protected] ADG PI : [email protected] Brig PI : [email protected] (IO) : [email protected] Colonel (Media) : [email protected] Colonel (Social Media) : [email protected] Webmaster IA : [email protected] Contact No : 011-23018665, 33332 33249 (ASCON) Printer : Xtreme Office Aids (Pvt.) Ltd, N D-46 Ph : 011-45627583

Baatcheet August 2019 We request our readers to send good quality, high resolution photographs for cover page of Baatcheet. 3 CHIEF’S PAGE

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in- Chief of Defence Services of Myanmar called on and interacted with General Bipin Rawat on 29 July 19

Rear M Shafiul Azam, Head of the Delegation from National Defence College (NDC) of Bangladesh called on and interacted with Chief of the Army Staff on 23 July 19

Mr Kim Yu Geun, 1st Deputy Director of National Security of the Republic of Korea called on and interacted with General Bipin Rawat on 30 July 19

General Bipin Rawat, with the ‘Victory Flame’ at the Memorial, Dras on the occasion of 20th Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas

4 Baatcheet August 2019 In Focus

"20th Anniversary of victory in Operation Vijay has been celebrated through out the Nation to evoke feeling of nationalism, patriotism and to pay homage to the valiant soldiers."

Baatcheet August 2019 5 snippets

A Ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) on the Lieutenant General , Vice Chief of Army occasion of 'People’s Liberation ' was conducted on Staff called on and interacted with Lieutenant General 01 August 19 at the -Moldo and DBO-TWD Meeting Carlos Humberto Loitey, Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Points in Eastern Ladakh respectively. The ceremonial BPM Operations at United Nation Headquarters, New York. was marked by saluting of National Flag by the delegation members.

Command Hospital Air Force Bengaluru and Command Konark Corps held a special ceremony in on 13 July Hospital, , Lucknow were adjudged as the 19 to announce the naming of road stretch in memory of Best and Second Best for the year 2018 the war hero Late Lieutenant General Sagat respectively and were felicitated with the Raksha Mantri Singh (Retired), Param to commemorate Trophy on 16 July 19. the centenary celebrations of his birth anniversary.

To celebrate the Nation's victory in Kargil and pay homage Special Representative of the Secretary General UNMISS to our bravehearts, Kargil Victory Run was organised from Mr David Shearer inaugurated new United Nations Operating Vijay Chowk to India Gate on 21 July 19. More than 6000 Base established by INDBATT-1 at Kodok South Sudan. people participated in the run that included dignitaries and children.

6 Baatcheet August 2019 snippets

Vajra Corps on 12 July 19 inaugurated Vajra Veer Vatika – The Indian Army in step with government policies on an integrated motivational and recreational complex which environmental protection launched an ecological initiative showcases the indomitable courage of Indian Army soldiers, by employing E-Cars for use of its officials in New Delhi the saga of Sikh valour and victorious battles of Vajra Corps on 01 August 19 in partnership with Energy Efficiency in Jalandhar Cantonment. Services Ltd (EESL), a joint venture of Central Public Sector Undertakings under Ministry of Power.

Lieutenant General , Army Commander, A unit of the Red Horns Division carried out flood relief and Mrs Kalpana Singh Dhatt, Regional activities in Morigaon district of Assam. The aim of the President, AWWA on 23 July 19 visited the Defence Institute initiative was to provide essential commodities to the civil of High Altitude Research (DIHAR), an agro-animal R&D population in the flood affected areas. Institute of the DRDO, located in the high altitude cold desert trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh.

Capacity Building Tour for the youth of the remote villages of ‘Go Green Niwaru’ drive was undertaken by Laungewala Eastern Ladakh from Leh to Chandigarh, Dehradun & back Brigade at Niwaru Military Station on 21 July 19. General was organised under the aegis of Trishul Division. The aim Officer Commanding, Battle Axe Division initiated the drive of the tour was to expose the students to the rich and diverse wherein 18000 trees will be planted & their survivability culture of our country. ensured.

Baatcheet August 2019 7 ARTRAC - HISTORY • Army Training Command (ARTRAC) was raised at its initial location in Mhow on 01 October 91. • The raising was completed in March 93. • Relocated to Shimla in November 93. • The First General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of ARTRAC was Lieutenant General AS Kalkat. The present Army Commander is Lieutenant General PC Thimayya. VISION To lead the Indian Army’s modernisation by strategic and operational level doctrine, informatisation and wide based knowledge skills.

ORGANISATION • DOCTRINE BRANCH - Develop doctrine - Human resource development - War gaming & simulations • TRAINING BRANCH - Institutionalised training through 32 illustrious Category ‘A’ establishments. - Nodal agency for issue of important policies and training directives. ROLE - Test bed for important trials, ideas & innovative To provide training support to the Army concepts. in all its facets by development and • RED FORCE (REDFOR) dissemination of concepts and doctrine, Analyse strategic, operational, tactical and logistics overseeing institutional training and capabilities of our potential adversaries and relevant facilitate formation training by provision of aspects of sub-conventional Warfare. Red Force (REDFOR).

HIGHLIGHTS • 32 illustrious Category ‘A’ Establishments. • 3800 Foreign students trained annually. • 12054 Officers trained per year. • 3793 Cadets pass out as commissioned officers in a year.

8 Baatcheet August 2019 ARTRAC - aRMY tRAINING cOMMAND

Category 'A' Establishments

INDIAN HIGH ALTITUDE JUNIOR LEADERS MILITARY WARFARE SCHOOL ACADEMY ACADEMY SPECIAL FORCES TRG SCHOOL ARMY MEDICAL CORPS CENTRE GULMARG AND COLLEGE

REMOUNT VET CORPS COLLEGE & CENTRE COLLEGE OF MATERIAL MANAGEMENT WARDEC DEHRADUN NON COMMISSIONED OFFICERS ARMY AIRBORNE NAHAN ACADEMY TRAINING SCHOOL DELHI MEERUT OFFICERS TRAINING ACADEMY, ARMY EDUCATION BAREILLY GAYA AGRA CORPS CENTER AND BINAGURI SCHOOL LUCKNOW COUNTER INSURGENCY & JUNGLE WARFARE SCHOOL JABALPUR ELECTRONICS AND BARODA GAYA MECHANICAL PACHMARHI ENGINEERS SCHOOL ARMY MHOW GOPALPUR ARMY WAR COLLEGE KAMPTEE DEVLALI INSTITUTE OF MIL LAW MILITARY COLLEGE OF TELECOMMUNICATION AHMEDNAGAR SECUNDERABAD ENGINEERING PUNE MIL COLLEGE OF EME

INFANTRY SCHOOL SIMULATOR DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL OF ARTILLERY, DIVISION COMBAT ARMY AVIATION TRAINING SCHOOL JUNIOR LEADER’S WING COLLEGE OF MILITARY ENGINEERING CHENNAI ARMY SERVICE CORPS C & C CORPS OF MIL POLICE CENTER ARMY INSTITUTE OF PHYSICAL AND SCHOOL TRAINING, MIL INT TRAINING SCHOOL AND DEPOT, ARMD COLLEGE CENTRE OFFICERS TRAINING ACADEMY INSTITUTE OF NATIONAL AND SCHOOL INTEGRATION

Baatcheet August 2019 9 Jammu and Kashmir diary ‘HOPE AND HARMONY’

Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, General Officer A dead body from PoK was recovered from the Burzil Nala Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command visited forward close to near Acchura village. On 10 July 19, locations in Eastern Ladakh on 24 July 19. He was briefed local Commanders at Gurez made sincere efforts and handed on the security situation and operational readiness being over the body to the Pakistani counterpart. maintained in the sector by General Officer Commanding, Trishul Division.

A trekking expedition to Tololing Top was undertaken by To commemorate victory in the Kargil War as part of the 2 Rajputana Rifles on 06 July 19 to honour and celebrate the 20th anniversary celebrations of Operation Vijay, a trekking victory achieved 20 years ago in the Kargil War amidst harsh expedition to Batra Top was undertaken by 13 Jammu & terrain and weather conditions. Kashmir Rifles to remember the golden moments of the Battalion on 07 July 19.

As part of the celebrations of Kargil Vijay Diwas a mega As part of steps to ameliorate the conditions of unemployed cultural evening was organised at Leh on 23 July 19 by the youth of Kashmir, Indian Army organised a recruitment rally Fire and Fury Corps. The event was conducted at the Col at Pattan from 10 to 16 July 19. 5000 candidates participated Sonam Wangchok, MVC Stadium and witnessed by many in the rally reflecting the enthusiasm of the youth for a career civil and military dignitaries. in Indian Army & serving the Nation.

10 Baatcheet August 2019 NORTH EAST DIARY ‘DEFENDERS of the East’

Black Cat Division organised celebrations at Nathu La, to The General Officer Commanding of Gajraj Corps, called on commemorate the Birth Centenary of Padma Bhushan the Chief Minister, Shri Sarbanda Sonowal at his office on Lieutenant General Sagat Singh, PVSM (Retired), known as 10 July 19. The GOC discussed with him a gamut of issues 'Iron Man of Nathu La'. A bust of the General was installed related to internal security and disaster management. during the event at Sherathang.

Rising Sun Command - The First Responders

Incessant rains at the onset of monsoons saw large part of North Eastern India facing the wrath of floods. The was at the forefront of rescue operations as the first responders. More than 6000 people have been rescued from various affected districts of Assam and Tripura. A large number of medical and veterinary camps were established by the Army to ensure timely medical aid to the affected populace. More than 150 monitoring stations have been put in place to coordinate the on going rescue operations.

Baatcheet August 2019 11 Communique ENTITLEMENT SHEET FOR NOK OF BATTLE & PHYSICAL CASUALTIES

NOK OF BATTLE CASUALTIES (FATAL)

Ser Entitled Amount Entitlements No Offrs JCOs / OR 1. Ex-Gratia Central Govt ` 25 to 45 lacs ` 25 to 45 lacs 2. AGI Claim ` 75,00,000/- ` 40,00,000/- 3. AGI Maturity As per contribution 4. Liberalized Family Pension* Last Pay Drawn (*Not applicable to All) 5. Death Cum Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) Based on length of service 6. Final Settlement of Account (Incl lve As applicable encashment & DSOP/AFPP Fund) 7. Ex Gratia (AWWA) ` 15,000/- ` 15,000/- 8. Ex Gratia (ACWF) ` 2,00,000/- ` 2,00,000/- 9. Ex Gratia (J&K) Govt (Only CI/CT incident) ` 5,00,000/- ` 5,00,000/- 10. Ex Gratia (Domicile State Govt) As applicable 11. Death Linked Insurance Scheme (DLIS) - ` 60,000/- (Excludes monetary allowance and other benefits by State Govt)

NOK OF PHYSICAL CASUALTIES (FATAL)

Ser Entitled Amount Entitlements No Offrs JCOs / OR 1. Ex-Gratia Central Govt Nil Nil 2. AGI Claim ` 75,00,000/- ` 40,00,000/- 3. AGI Maturity As per contribution 4. Family Pension ¾¾ Enhanced rate 50 % of Reckonable Emoluments (RE) for first ten years ¾¾ 30% of RE after ten years 5. Death Cum Retirement Gratuity (DCRG) Based on length of service 6. Final Settlement of Account (Incl lve As applicable encashment & DSOP/AFPP Fund) 7. Ex Gratia (AWWA) ` 15,000/- ` 15,000/- 8. Ex Gratia (ACWF) ` 2,50,000/- ` 2,50,000/- 9. Ex Gratia (J&K) Govt Nil Nil Nil Nil 10. Ex Gratia (Domicile State Govt) Nil 11. Death Linked Insurance Scheme (DLIS) - ` 60,000/- (Excludes monetary allowance and other benefits by State Govt)

12 Baatcheet August 2019 welfare and empowerment

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) Centre has been Mrs Simmi Dutta, Zonal President, Vajra Army Wives established at Military Hospital, Jalandhar. The first phase of Welfare Association (AWWA) inaugurated a Workshop on the Centre, was made functional in the presence of Lieutenant 'Inclusive Education Practices in Regular Schools' which was General Surinder Singh, General Officer Commanding-in- conducted at Army Public School, Jalandhar from 16 to 20 Chief, on 28 June 19. July 19.

INSPIRING VETERANS Lalbiakthanga Pachuau– India’s oldest working journalist Over the past 70 years, Lalbiakthanga Pachuau appears to have lived several lifetimes – from donning the Olive Green to fighting the Japanese Army in World War II till starting his own newspaper and editing it for close to half-a-century. The 90-year-old editor of the Mizo daily, Zoram Tlangau, was declared India’s oldest working journalist by the Mizoram Journalists Association in 2016. Born in Siachal, 80 km away from the state capital, Lalbiakthanga Pachuau studied only till Class III before joining the Assam Regiment of the British Indian Army in 1945 at 18. He fought for the British Army in Burma (present Myanmar) against the Japanese. Lalbiakthanga was awarded several medals for his valour, including the Burma Star, during his 17-year-long military career. He also participated in the Indo-Pak war in 1947-48 at Nowshera, Jammu and Kashmir. After leaving the Army, he started writing for Mizo newspapers and went on to start Zoram Tlangau, his own newspaper, in 1970, which he edits till today. He was a key delegate during the peace talks between New Delhi and the Mizo National Front in 1980s and worked tirelessly to end the drug and alcohol menace. He co-founded the Association for voluntary blood donation in Mizoram as its General Secretary. His contribution in this field has earned him three special awards of State Blood Transfusion Council. Lalbiakthanga has also held the position of the President of World War II Veterans Association as well as the President of the Mizoram Social Defence Union since 1992. He has also been credited with establishing the first insurance company in Mizoram and the United Commercial Bank in Mizoram. Lalbiakthanga has dedicated his life to social service and for the upliftment of the society. He has lived by the values and virtues of a soldier and continues to inspire us all.

Baatcheet August 2019 13 TRAINING ‘TRAIN IN PEACE, SHINE IN WAR’

Opening Address of Army Scout Masters Competition was A nine member Indian Army team left for Belarus to compete delivered on 26 July 19 at Jaisalmer Military Station. General in the Sniper Frontier Competition as part of the International Officer Commanding, Battle Axe Division extended warm Army Games scheduled from 03 to 17 August 19. It is a thirteen welcome to all participants and support staff from friendly day intense sniper competition, encompassing flexibility of nations. The event is being held from 06-16 August 19. mind, physical fitness along with firing.

Western Command Young Officers Cycling and Trekking 356 recruits passed out in a spectacular attestation Expedition under the aegis of HQ Western Command was parade held at Gaur Drill Square of the Bihar Regimental flagged off at Kafnu (HP) by Commander, Tripeak Brigade. Centre at Danapur Cantonment on 28 July 19. The expedition team comprising of 20 young officers will cover a distance of 227 km in the challenging glaciated terrain of Himachal Pradesh.

The 20th Research Advisory Committee meeting of the High A glittering valedictory function was organised at Directorate Altitude Medical Research Centre (HAMRC) was held at General Resettlement, Training Centre, Jammu wherein 153 General Hospital on 03 July 19. The meeting was chaired 34 Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks from by Lieutenant General Bipin Puri, Director General Armed the successfully completed their skill Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS). development programme on NIELIT 'O' Level software course on 26 July 19.

14 Baatcheet August 2019 "You will never know the depth, Sports & adventure unless you take the leap."

Greco Roman wrestler from Army Sports Institute, Naib Motorcycle Expedition commemorating 20th anniversary Subedar Manjeet won Silver Medal at World Ranking Series of Kargil Vijay Diwas was flagged-in at Ahmedabad. The tournament in Minsk, Belarus. The Junior Commissioned expedition covered 4000 kms and interacted with school Officer is scheduled to participate in World Championships children, veterans, Veer Naris & Next of Kin of the martyrs in Astana, Kazakhstan from 14 -22 September 19. along the route.

Indian Army mountaineering expedition to Mt Trishul Sports Cadet Achinta Sheuli of Army Sports Institute (7120M) was flagged-in on 10 July 19 after it returned back participated in the Commonwealth Weightlifting on successful completion of the expedition. The team was Championships at Apia, Samoa in 73 kg weight category flagged-off from Delhi on 24 May 19. & won Gold Medals in both junior and senior categories, creating new records.

A joint cycling cum trekking expedition, comprising A unit under the aegis of Pine Division, Vajra Corps, participants from the Indian Army, IMTRAT and Royal undertook a Cycling Expedition from Shimla along Spiti Bhutan Army was flagged-off on 15 July 19 from Haa in Valley - Narkanda, Karcham, Pooh, Sumdoh, Kaza, Losar, Bhutan. The expedition covered a distance of 161 kilometres Chandra Tal crossing Kunzum pass at a height of 15000 ft over a span of five days. and Rohtang pass towards Manali.

Baatcheet August 2019 15 Regimental celebrations INDIAN ARMY SALUTES BRAVEHEARTS OF KARGIL WAR

KOLKATA

LUCKNOW

PUNE JAIPUR

26th July was observed as 'Kargil Vijay Diwas' to commemorate Indian Army's victory in this epic conflict. This year, the 20th Anniversary of victory in ‘Operation VIJAY’ was celebrated with the theme ‘Remember, Rejoice and Renew’ - 'Remembering the Martyrs', 'Rejoice by Celebrating the Victory' 'Renew our Resolve to Safeguard the Honour of the Tricolour'. Next Edition “OP GIBRALTAR, INDO-PAK 1965” 16 Baatcheet August 2019