01-cover_00_COVER_1.qxd 10/5/2015 5:53 PM Page 1

`100 AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2015, VOL 7 ISSUE 12 www.salute.co.in 1965 THE LAST GENTLEMAN’S WAR

Maj. Gen. Sarup Singh Kalaan, MVC, MC, GOC 19 Inf Div stands below the National Flag, flying majestically at Haji Pir Pass. Lt Col (later Maj. Gen.) H.S. Kler, MVC, AVSM,the then GSO1 of the division, is seen second from right. 02-IFC_00_COVER_1.qxd 10/5/2015 5:51 PM Page 1

SALUTING THE GUARDIANS OF THE INDIAN SKIES

The Indian Air Force’s Hawk advanced jet trainer is a compelling story of success, providing the new generation training to the next generation air warriors and delivering our commitment to Make in India in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. On the 83rd Indian Air Force Day, we are excited to witness the ‘Made in India’ Hawk take off for the new Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, representing the speed, agility and precision of the Indian Air Force. Flown by a number of aerobatic teams, the Hawk is a remarkably exible aircraft meeting the demands of modern air forces for both training and operational missions. 03-Contents_03_EDIT.qxd 10/5/2015 6:42 PM Page 3

in this issue 04 A TIME FOR REDEMPTION I Maj Gen Dhruv C Katoch 05 THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL I Lt Gen Sudhir Sharma 06 THE LAST GENTLEMAN’S WAR: 1965 INDO-PAK WAR: IN RETROSPECT I Maroof Raza 10 THE WAR IN KUTCH: DEFENCE OF SARDAR POST I Lt Col Keshav S. Puntambekar 12 THE CAPTURE OF HAJIPIR PASS I Maj Gen HS Kler, MVC, AVSM 15 A SUBALTERN REMEMBERS: MY DAYS IN CHHAMB I Lt Col Anil Heble 17 THE CAPTURE OF BARKI I Col Surinder Sagar Duggal 20 THE FATEFUL 72 HOURS: An Account of the Battle of Asal Uttar I Lt Col Naresh K. Rastogi 22 PHILLORA AND ASAL UTTAR: TWO HISTORIC TANK BATTLES OF THE WAR I Lt Col Anil Bhat 26 ROOKIE PILOT I Wg Cdr Vinod Nebb, VrC and Bar 28 37 RAISINA HILLS I Lt Col Anil Bhat LESSONS FROM THE 1965 WAR I Maj Gen Dhruv C Katoch 30 38 VETERANS ALERT I Hony Capt Baldev Singh THE FRONTIER FORCES AND HARI SINGH OF BUNDI: A 39 PEEP INTO THE ARMY OF YORE I Brig Onkar S Goraya 31 BOOK REVIEW I Maj Gen Dhruv C Katoch 40 SOLDIER OF FORTUNE: The Untold Special Forces Story I Col Subin Balakrishnan PESTO PASTA I Aditi Pathak 34 41 News DEATH ON INDIAN ROADS I Murad Ali Baig 36 42 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH HOW INDIA RETALIATED I Maroof Raza

Authors aspiring to publish their articles in Salute may send by email to [email protected] along with pictures, if any

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 03 04-Edit_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 5:58 PM Page 1

EDITOR’S NOTE

A TIME FOR

Publisher Maroof Raza REDEMPTION Editor MAJ GEN DHRUV C KATOCH Maj Gen Dhruv C Katoch SM, VSM The commemoration of the Golden Jubilee of might, when the reality on the ground was quite the 1965 War against Pakistan has drawn a wide different. This brings into focus the importance Associate Editor range of comments, for the most part apprecia- of propaganda in war. Today, in the information Lt Col Anil Bhat tive, from across the country. The commemora- age, this aspect assumes added significance, as VSM (Retd) tion is essential, firstly, to apprise the youth of perception is as important as the physical win- Design this country, that peace can be achieved only ning of wars. Wartime preparations, as brought Moushumi through a strong military and secondly, to revisit out by various authors, were weak. It is hard to history, look into what went wrong, and analyse comprehend why the Indian Army did not have Publicity Manager whether we are better prepared to crush aggres- maps, when war broke out in September. It is Hony Capt (Retd) Baldev Singh sion from hostile neighbours. equally difficult to comprehend why two The war thrust on India in 1965 was not one decades later, the IPKF went into Sri Lanka, again Board of Advisers that India wanted, but once begun, both the without maps. This is but one of the lacunae fac- Lt Gen Sudhir Sharma political and military leadership, went about ing the armed forces - a lack of forethought in PVSM, AVSM, YSM ,VSM( Retd) their task doggedly, and the nation rallied administrative matters, which is a peace time around in support, ensuring that the basic war function. This must be overcome. Some of the Printed published by aims were achieved. Surprisingly, however, the major lessons have been highlighted in a sepa- Flags Media Pvt Ltd A-47 Hauz Khas (LGF) lessons from this war did not make it into the rate article in this issue. So who won the war? New Delhi 110016 official teaching manuals of the Armed Forces, as This question is often asked and the answer a result of which certain weaknesses which were obviously lies in how victory is defined. Pakistan Printed at noticeable then, still remain. Equally unfortu- failed miserably in its attempt to grab Kashmir by JK Offset Graphics (P) Ltd nate was the fact that the political leadership too, force in Operation Gibraltar. It had an opportu- C-21,DDA Shed, did not imbibe in full measure, the corrective nity to take Akhnur, but poor Pakistani leader- Okhla Phase -1 actions that were required to be taken. A notice- ship and a gritty Indian defence put paid to those New Delhi -110020 able exception was in foreign relations, wherein hopes. Its offensive in Khem Karan ended in dis- the need for having support of one of the super aster, with the destruction of its 1 Armoured RNI Registration powers was catered for through a ‘Treaty of Peace Division. Pakistan, as the aggressor, had set for DELENG/2008/26923 and Friendship’ with the Soviet Union, before we itself, certain war time aims and it failed to Certified that the views went in to war in 1971. However, the issue of inte- achieve any one of them. Pakistan’s claims of expressed and suggestions gration of the Ministry of Defence and three winning the war thus ring hollow. made in the articles are made Services still languishes. What of India then? The Army defeated by authors in their personal In this issue, we have put together a series of aggression in J&K and thus achieved its immedi- capacity and do not have any articles of the 1965 War, written by those who ate war time aim. However, the Pakistan Army official endorsement fought the war and had a ringside view of battles was not defeated, though it suffered very heavy as they unfolded. Some of these articles have losses in battle, especially with respect to its been extracted from the forthcoming book of the offensive capability. But perhaps, the question 1965 War, titled ‘Honour Redeemed” which is need not be looked at in those terms. For India, it under publication by Bloomsbury and is being was a time for redemption, after the humiliation released in October 1965. From the various first of 1962. For Pakistan, it was a realisation that it hand accounts in the book, told with remarkable could no longer match Indian military might, candour, emerge a clear and honest picture of and had to look into other options to achieve its what actually happened in those exciting times. military aims. It is those options which Pakistan It is surprising that Pakistan touted the Kutch is exercising now, which we need to counter. skirmishes as a success of Pakistan’s military Happy Reading.

04 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 05-General_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 5:58 PM Page 1

GENERAL SPEAK THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL

Lt Gen Sudhir Sharma Ayub Khan)besides Shuja Nawaz, give us an insight into the Pakistani perception Whilst posted at the High Commission in and facts of the war as it unfolded in London, a respected British historian Pakistan. As per them, Operation remarked to me, tongue in cheek, that Gibraltar, the flawed plan to annex Pakistan and India are perhaps the only Kashmir by sending in Pakistani soldiers two countries in the world who disguised as infiltrators, was a closely commemorate and celebrate victory day guarded secret, divulged to just a chosen for the same battle and even war! For a few. The Air Force and Navy were kept true professional this is an anomaly. Seen out out of the loop as was most of the objectively, there can only be one victor army. So confident was Ayub Khan and in war, and at best, on rare occasions, one his hawkish minister ZA Bhutto of could in fairness of things call it a draw. success, that they had not bargained or The 1965 Indo-Pak war aptly fits into this planned for its failure. Furthermore, so category because both sides on the poor was the strategic reading of Indian occasion of the fiftieth anniversary, response, that they did not make any fervently celebrated victory over each significant plans for an Indian riposte in other. The distortion/dilution of history the IB sector. Even Operation Grand is so profound that revered war heroes Slam, the race to Akhnur, was supposed look like men of straw if one were to celebrated with much pride as ‘Defence to be in support of the fall of Kashmir. It believe the account of the battle from the Day’ when Pakistan army supposedly was thought that entire Kashmir/Rajauri other side of the hill. stalled India’s advance to Lahore by area would revolt and secede to Pakistan 1965 war also has the dubious unparalleled bravery. For India, the war and the capture of Akhnur would prevent distinction of being a war where started on 1 September, when Pakistan Indian forces to move to opposing sides do not even agree regulars attacked Chhamb. As the Kashmir/Rajauri. onwhen and where the war started. For ceasefire came into effect on 23 It therefore came as a shock to Pakistan, the war started on 6 September, September, it is mistakenly called the 22 Pakistan when India unleashed its forces when the so called cunning and day war, as UN resolution leading to across the IB on 6 September. For most aggressive Indian Army, without any ceasefire, called for forces to withdraw to Pakistanis, (even till today), unaware of provocation or justification launched an the August 5 lines! Thus the ambiguity on the earlier aggression by Pakistan in attack across the IB in the Lahore – dates and the victor. Kashmir in August, this attack was Sialkot sector. The lucky and spirited Air Marshal Nur Khan and Gohar unprovoked on an innocent Pakistan. No defence of Lahore on 6 September is Ayub Khan (son of the military dictator one, even in the forces saw it as a counter offensive directly linked to Pakistani incursion in Kashmir. It is because of this disinformation that majority of Pakistanis believe they were the victims of Indian aggression. It is another matter that the Indian forces made heavy weather of their advance, were guilty of being over cautious and missed the decisive victory which was theirs for the taking had they been bolder and not taken counsel of their fears. We too need to take a critical look at our operational planning. While courage and junior leadership in the war was of an exceptionally high order, its conduct at the operational level left much to be desired.

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 05 6-9-Maroof_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:51 PM Page 1

1965 WAR THE LAST GENTLEMAN’S WAR: 1965 INDO-PAK WAR: IN RETROSPECT

Maroof Raza

ollowing their failed invasion of Kashmir in 1947-48, for which the Pakistan army blamed it on the indecisiveness of their Fpoliticians, it was decided by the Pakistan army, that in future, it would call the shots over Kashmir in particular and India in general. War was too serious a business to be left to its spineless politicians. And by 1962, after the Chinese invasion of India, Pakistani leaders – a towering General Ayub Khan along with his young and wily foreign minister, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto – were convinced that Kashmir was ripe for the picking. So, in an unexpected departure from his successes at home - such as his model of basic democracy - Ayub decided on another invasion of Kashmir, with Bhutto prodding him on to first create an Algeria like uprising in the Kashmir valley, (later known as Operation Gibraltar) and if need be, to back it up with a military invasion of Punjab (later known as Operation Grand Slam). Pakistan, having entered into a deep embrace with the US for strategic security and become part of US led alliances such as SEATO and CENTO- as part of a chain link of countries that the US used to surround the Soviet Union- the US had equipped it with far superior tanks and aircrafts compared to India. Even then, some wise men like the then Governor of Pakistan’s Punjab, the Nawab of Kalabagh, had warned Ayub: “do not listen to Bhutto. His father or grandfather, did not handle a sword or a gun. I warn you, that if you

6 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 6-9-Maroof_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:51 PM Page 2

1965 WAR

attack India, you will face reverse”. But Kutch in north Gujarat in April ’65. INDIA'S RESPONSE Bhutto soon prevailed on Ayub to have India’s response was measured and India responded, following some initial the good Nawab removed. And with Pakistan interpreted it as a lack of shock and confusion, but eventually India’s large scale military confidence, following the drubbing effectively once Pakistan’s game plan modernisation - following the Chinese India had received from the Chinese in became clear. The Indian defence invasion - yet to be completed, Pakistan 1962. Furthermore, the disappearance minister, YB Chavan, took the service felt that this was their last chance to of Kashmir’s symbol of Islam, the Mo-e- chief’s by surprise, when he took a few capture Kashmir and settle the Muqaddas (the Prophet’s hair) in 1964, minutes to give the go ahead for an all problem. Ayub thus went ahead with had caused riots in the Valley. Pakistan out air-land counter offensive, without his plans, which was initiated in two chose to interpret this as a Kashmiri even consulting the cabinet or the parts: the first, being operation demand for secession and a reflection Prime Minister. And then to the surprise Gibraltar that saw the infiltration of of a pro-Pakistani sentiment. And of Pakistan, and even that of Indian over 5,000 Pakistan soldiers (some say, finally, a crisis war game carried out in generals, the mild mannered PM, Lal there were 25,000) dressed as irregulars, Washington in February 1965 had Bahadur Shastri surprised a boastful who were to incite a rebellion in indicated that if Pakistan was to invade Ayub Khan, by ordering Indian forces to Kashmir with the help of Kashmiri J&K once again, it was “likely to gain retaliate right across the Indo-Pak locals. And in part two, to launch a Kashmir or large parts of it”, if it made a border. This was Pakistan’s ‘moment of military operation – from Punjab, and few modifications to its 1947-48 truth’. It was in panic, and scrambled to up to Akhnur north of Jammu - across invasion plan. Most interestingly save the fall of Lahore and Sialkot, even the border to cut off Kashmir from though, Ayub Khan’s decision to launch as Pakistan had the world on its side, India. Operation Gibraltar, was influenced by with the US and UK fearful of its the young Bhutto and his gang, and growing alliance with China. And as WHAT LED TO THE WAR? many military commanders, who were India hadn’t yet agreed on a treaty of Like most Pakistanis, Ayub had confident that as India was a defeated friendship with the Soviets,(as that was delusions about the superiority of the country – following its 1962 drubbing done in 1971), they all ganged up to Muslim warrior over the meek Hindus. by the Chinese- it wouldn’t fight back. declare India the ‘aggressor’. But With Nehru’s death in May 1964, his However, things didn’t go as per apparently Shastriji didn’t mind it. successor Lal Bahadur Shastri was plan. Launched around 5 August, Op- Many in India say it was a 22 day war, assumed to be weak, and Ayub had Gibraltar, met with little success, as fought mostly in September 1965, as even once referred to him as a ‘mouse’. Pakistani infiltrators – whose job was to India’s tanks raced towards Lahore and Also, Pakistanis had watched India’s blow up bridges and carry out Sialkot, perhaps the biggest tank battle military humiliation in 1962 with glee, commando raids- got little support since World War- II took place in and and felt that with China too as an from the local Kashmiris, who chose to around Khem Karan and Asal Uttar in adversary, they could squeeze out help the local police and para-military Punjab. This lasted for 15 days, inside Kashmir from India. Moreover, to capture them, creating a serious Pakistani territory, and had a big Pakistan’s assumptions were also based reverse in Pakistan’s plans. But impact on Pakistan’s psyche, as their on the grounds that (a) following India’s undeterred Pakistan launched another superior tanks and fighter jets, were military defeat in 1962, and its morale 10,000 soldiers (dressed as irregulars) given a resounding reply by India’s was low; (b) so, Pakistan must attack into the Valley, to keep up the façade forces. But only by abandoning his before India’s post ’62 military that Pakistani troops were not violating plans to cut-off Kashmir from India, modernisation was complete, and that the cease-fire line (CFL). And even Ayub managed to divert his forces from (c) the defeat had shown that India’s though Op-Gibraltar had failed, Ayub Chhamb to prevent the fall of Lahore. political leadership lacked strategic was informed otherwise. Assuming that And on the basis of this, Pakistan now vision, a coherent understanding of Kashmir was ready to secede, Ayub claims, that the 1965 war was a victory! issues related to matters military and followed it up with the second part of The truth is that America and the there was little civil military interface so the plan, called operation Grand Slam Russians had forced India to accept a essential to respond to a military attack. on 1 September. This was on the ‘ceasefire’. The biggest lesson that came As Bhutto had later recalled: ‘there was assumption that Pakistan’s quasi- out of this war was that, any future a time, when militarily, we were guerrilla force that had infiltrated, will conflict between India and Pakistan superior to India,… that was the take over J&K once it was cut off by an over Kashmir, would be fought all position up to 1965”. infantry and armoured attack in the across the Indo-Pak borders. The other However before doing so, Pakistan Chhamb sector, where the was the decision of the then western decided to test India’s nerves by probing International Border (IB) ended and the army commander, Lt Gen Harbakhsh India’s borders in the desolate Rann of CFL (cease fire line) began. Singh to disagree with the army chief,

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 7 6-9-Maroof_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:51 PM Page 3

1965 WAR

Gen. Chaudhuri, when he refused to and for having lost more during the favoured Haji Pir pass. The pass lies well withdraw to the east of river Beas. Had Tashkent agreement, brokered by the inside Indian Kashmir - but was he done so, India would have lost Soviets. He was soon booted out of occupied by Pakistani troops following Gurdaspur district for good, and then power, and replaced by General Yahya the invasion of 1947. Thus in August clearly given Pakistan the edge in this Khan, who had led the 1965 attack on 1965 before the start of the full fledged war, and in later years. Chhamb-Jaurian in Punjab. (However, military operations in Punjab, a band of The report card – based on neutral Yahya also fell from grace after the 1971 gutsy paratroopers, led by Major (later claims - when ceasefire was finally war, having listened to the ambitions of Lt. Gen) Ranjit Singh Dyal, were tasked agreed upon read as follows: India lost Zulfikar Bhutto who pushed him to capture Haji Pir. Maj. Dyal and his 540 sq. km of territory (mostly in towards a crackdown in East Pakistan, men from 1 Para, moved over several Chhamb) with 3000 casualties, whereas after the elections of 1970. This led to days and nights, under rain and icy Pakistan lost 1840 sq. km of territory (in crisis and war in Bangladesh). winds, in wet clothing with sheer grit its precious Punjab and Kashmir) and and determination and with little food had 3800 casualties. India lost more TALES OF VALOUR supplies. Living off the land, they aircraft (60 to 75) and lesser number of But as we look back at that war, in its crawled and clawed their way to the top tanks (150 to 190) compared to 50th anniversary year, there are a few of Haji Pir and fought hand-to-hand Pakistan’s losses of aircraft (20) and ‘tales of valour’ that needs to be with the Pakistani's before Maj. Dyal tanks (200-300). The figures given by recalled, which are still recounted in and his team captured the Pass to give both sides were higher. However military circles with great respect. India the edge in the battle for Kashmir historians regard this war at best a draw. As Pakistan pushed its quasi guerrilla Valley. Maj. R.S. Dyal was rightfully Even the date when it began is still in force to create an uprising in Jammu awarded Mahavir Chakra for dispute. In fact, Pakistan had gained a and Kashmir, Indian troops along the exceptionally gallantry, but sadly India’s lot more in their first campaign for then cease fire line were surprised at the decision makers returned Haji Pir back Kashmir in 1947. Ayub was even blamed ferocity of the guerrilla force and its to Pakistan after the war! by many disillusioned military attacks. This led to an Indian decision to Further south of Kashmir in the commanders for having miscalculated block their routes of ingress, like the plains of Punjab, one of the biggest ever

8 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 6-9-Maroof_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:51 PM Page 4

1965 WAR

tank battles was fought after World War out one tank after another, swiftly distinction in the battles of Phillora and II. But before the rout of Pakistani tanks reversing his jeep after every shell he Sialkot. in Khem Karan, a lonely act of valour fired, and moving from one hiding spot But as the war waged on, the stands out for the sheer cold courage of to another. It took the Pakistanis leadership of one man is still one man, as an inspiration to completely by surprise and they were remembered as the stuff that legends generations of Indian soldiers, in an several tanks down before one of their are made of. As the newly appointed appropriately named village, Asal Uttar. tanks shot at Abdul Hamid as he commanding officer of 3 Jat, Lt Col As Pakistan’s famous Patton tanks rolled positioned to take aim on his last target. Desmond Hayde, had initially with his towards India, they were confident that Abdul Hamid died but rightfully earned battalion crossed Ichhogil canal ahead it was only a matter of time before they a posthumous Param Vir Chakra. And as of Amritsar, and captured Dograi inside would cut-off Kashmir, with the capture a reminder of his gallantry his Pakistan. His action took even his own of Punjab. But they miscalculated the destroyed anti-tank Jeep is displayed in bosses by surprise in the division grit and determination of the Indian the Grenadiers Centre in Jabalpur. What headquarters, and as the GOC of his soldiers, despite their inferior followed thereafter were some fierce division deliberated on what to do next, equipment. Since tanks move well tank-to-tank battles on the plains of (the GOC was known to be an indecisive through dry and hard ground, some Punjab where several Indian tank sort), the division failed to take Indian commanders decided to flood regiments acquitted themselves with advantage of Hayde's initiatives. the fields and create marshy ground Desmond Hayde was soon ordered to that would hinder the movement of MANY IN INDIA SAY IT WAS pull back and asked to cool his heels on Pakistani tanks, and so they opened the the Indian side of the border! A few water dykes, canals and flooded the A 22 DAY WAR, FOUGHT weeks later an attack was finally fields with tube wells. This led to the MOSTLY IN SEPTEMBER launched on the Amritsar-Lahore axis Pakistani tanks getting stuck in the wet 1965, AS INDIA’S TANKS and Desmond Hayde with highly water logged fields, and sensing an RACED TOWARDS LAHORE motivated troops of theirs Jats was in opportunity to do something the lead again. He eventually not only exceptional, an unassuming Havildar AND SIALKOT, PERHAPS recaptured Dograi but also Batapore, (CQMH) Abdul Hamid of 4 Grenadiers THE BIGGEST TANK BATTLE and by his own account, he had killed jumped into action. He was in charge of SINCE WORLD WAR- II over two dozen Pakistanis, before the anti-tank gun detachment and thus TOOK PLACE IN AND earning for himself the Mahavir Chakra without waiting for orders he drove his and giving his battalion a reputation jeep within effective range of the AROUND KHEM KARAN AND that still commands respect. leading Pakistani tanks and knocked ASAL UTTAR IN PUNJAB Finally, no account of this war is complete without an acknowledgement of the superb performance of IAFs fighter pilots. They fought against the PAFs far superior American F-86 Sabre jets, and in a rare feat, the Keelor brothers, Denzil and Trevor both won Vir Chakras in this war, for their repeated show on gallantry in air, as they shot down Pakistani Sabres. Most importantly the IAFs pilots did everything to avoid targeting innocent civilians. To that extent, the 1965 war, was perhaps the last of the gentlemen’s war.

This essay by Maroof Raza was published in the OPEN magazine (issue dated 7 September 2015) and is reproduced with the authors permission. Maroof Raza is the author of 'Wars and no Peace over Kashmir'; and his website is: https:/ / www.maroofraza.com

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 9 10-11-Keshav_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:52 PM Page 1

1965 WAR THE WAR IN KUTCH: DEFENCE OF SARDAR POST Lt Col Keshav S. Puntambekar

31 Infantry Brigade, platoons forward and one platoon in second Air OP aircraft. From my vantage which had recently been depth. They had also been allotted two point in the air, I could see the ground raised in Ahmedabad in medium machine guns and a 3 inch situation most clearly. As we flew over the March 1963 was mortar section from No 2 CRPF Battalion. area of Sardar Post, the sight which I saw responsible for defence of A few personnel from 31 Infantry Brigade was amazing. The pattern of the enemy the Rann of Kutch. At that were grouped with this force in early attack of a few hours earlier was clearly time, I was posted as the April, with the sole purpose of providing discernible from the large number of GSO 3 of the brigade. Its three battalions information of enemy activities across dead Pakistani bodies that lay strewn on were 1 Mahar, 2 Sikh LI and 17 Raj Rif, the border to the brigade HQ. With the the ground. We came to know later that located in Ahmedabad, Bhuj and arrival of the CRPF company at Sardar the attack had been launched by Jamnagar, respectively. Its affiliated Post, preparation of defences and Pakistan’s 51 Brigade Group, commanded artillery was 11 Field Regiment, located at patrolling activity commenced in right by Brigadier M Azhar. The attack was Dharngadhra. In early March 1965, the earnest. Our patrols then confirmed that codenamed Operation Desert Hawk 1. brigade was carrying out its first annual Pakistan was building up their forces Two battalions took part in the initial training and field firing exercise in the across the IB. assault, attacking from the northeast, Little Rann, located North of On the latter half of night 08/09 April, with artillery and mortar fire support. 8 Dharngadhra, when it received orders on the Pakistanis launched a massive attack Frontier Force was given the forward 29 March 1965 to move forthwith and on Sardar Post supported by artillery fire. platoon as its objective, and 18 (Pakistan) concentrate at Bhuj. This was completed We received information of this attack Punjab was given the eastern depth by the end of the month. from our signal operator at Sardar Post, at platoon. 6 Baluch was kept in reserve. The move of the brigade was about 4 a.m.. It was pitch dark outside During the course of the attack, 18 Punjab necessitated as reports of Pakistani troops and the Commander decided to carry out lost direction and stumbled into the 8 infiltrating into the Rann of Kutch were an aerial reconnaissance of the area at Frontier Force objective, compounding regularly coming in. As a result, No 2 first light. At this time, the Commander the confusion which seemed to prevail all Battalion of the Central Reserve Police also received a call from Mr Sen, the DIG around and 6 Baluch also joined in the Force (CRPF), was moved to Khavda in police, located at Vigokot, who asked for melee. However, the Pakistanis did March. In addition, the Gujarat police the entire area to be taken over by the succeed in overrunning the forward despatched a strength of 30 men with one army. However, as per existing platoon, but withdrew soon after. The assistant commandant to man a deserted instructions, no forward move of regular CRPF company lost 9 killed in action and place called Karim Shahi. Both the CRPF troops was to take place unless personally a few personnel were taken prisoner troops and the local police, however, authorised by the GOC M&G Area, Maj. including the post commander, Major lacked equipment and training to carry Gen. P.C. Gupta, MC. The Commander, Karnail Singh. out their assigned duties effectively. There therefore, placed the brigade on short Enemy losses, as seen from the air was little habitation in the whole area, notice to move forward, but as an interim were much higher which perhaps broke which was nothing more than an endless measure, ordered one company of 17 Raj their spirit to hold on to the area. sea of sand, sand and more sand. Rif, which was located at Khavda, to move Reflecting over the issue, it seems To prevent Pakistani intrusions, No 2 forward to Vigokot. 2 Sikh LI was placed amazing that an attack launched by a CRPF battalion established a company on standbyto move to Vigokot, once regular infantry brigade of the Pakistan strength post near the border by mid cleared by higher headquarters. army with full artillery support could not March, which was named Sardar Post. At first light, the Commander, along overcome a company position held by the The name had its origins in the fact that with his brigade major, took off from Bhuj Indian armed police. It appears that the the company commander of the post was airfield in an Air Observation Post (Air OP) medium machine gunners of the CRPF a Sikh officer, Maj Karnail Singh. The aircraft to see first hand, the situation at put up a spirited resistance and extracted company occupied the area with two Sardar Post. I was told to hop in the a very heavy toll on the Pakistani brigade,

10 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 10-11-Keshav_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:52 PM Page 2

1965 WAR

which sapped their will to continue with not know who I was. Anyhow, I got on column was also engaged and they the operations. with the task and managed to get hold of withdrew. In the previous nights operations, less a couple of stragglers. Thereafter, it took Some time later, an officer from 1 the forward platoon which had been some more time to collect about 40 to 50 Mahar, who had moved in with some overrun, the rest of the company had held men and then convince them that Sardar troops relieved me and I moved back to on to their defences. At daybreak Post was not occupied by the enemy and rejoin my brigade headquarter at Bhuj. At however, they abandoned their defences, they were required to go back. I also told 3 p.m. on the same day, the enemy and I could clearly see people moving them that additional troops were shortly resumed shelling of Sardar Post and area rearwards on foot. The situation was on the way and they would be reinforced. North of Vigokot. The CRPF personnel rather peculiar at this time. The Pakistanis The situation was thus retrieved and we were not in a position to hold on to Sardar had withdrawn from the area they had reoccupied the post. Post and requested for army assistance. overrun, and now quite a few personnel This was fortuitous as the enemy had The personnel from the State Reserve from the CRPF were abandoning their regrouped and regained some element of Police (SRP), located at Vigokot also defences. Perhaps they were unaware of composure. We could see them forming stated that they could not hold on to their the heavy losses suffered by the enemy. up for a second assault on the post. The post and requested to be relieved. The Also, the shock of artillery shelling and the CRPF troops whose morale was already Commander then recommended move sheer weight of the enemy assault had low had to be ordered back to their of 2 Sikh LI to Vigokot which was perhaps taken their toll. Most likely, in the trenches, and thereafter they proceeded accepted. In the meanwhile, the CRPF absence of their company commander, to engage the enemy with small arms fire. vacated Sardar Post by 1530h and the SRP who had been taken prisoner, there was The enemy attack was broken before it vacated Vigokot by 1930h. Shelling no one to exercise control. At this time, I could develop by the intense small arms continued on these areas up to 2200h but observed that the pilot of the aircraft that fire brought down upon them, and they the enemy made no attempt to capture I was travelling in was circling the area, in suffered some casualties. After some time, them. Thereafter, the shelling continued an apparent bid to land. Evidently, he had the enemy tried to come forward in sporadically throughout the night. received certain instructions from the vehicles flying ‘Red Cross” flags. They The brigade meanwhile was moving Commander, which I was not aware of as perhaps were trying to extricate their forward, and a company of 17 Raj Rif I did not have headphones and the noise dead and wounded, but we were not sure occupied Vigokot by 1945h. 2 Sikh LI in the aircraft made normal conversation of their intentions. This red flag vehicle arrived at Vigokot by 0300h on 10 April impossible. As soon as the pilot found a and took over the area from the Raj Rif suitable spot, he landed. He then “THE BRIGADE company. On arrival at Vigokot, 2 Sikh LI scribbled a note for me, which read: despatched a patrol to Sardar Post and I now found myself in a most COMMANDER WANTS YOU the patrol confirmed that Sardar Post had unenviable position of being all by myself TO GET HOLD OF THESE not been occupied by Pakistani troops. A in the desert, without a weapon, sans any MEN ON THE RUN AND standing patrol of company strength was means of communication, with no TAKE THEM BACK TO THE then moved to Sardar Post, and was equipment and no transport. The CRPF instructed to hold the post at all costs till personnel had probably not seen me SARDAR POST. ADDITIONAL relieved. 1 Mahar was ordered to carry out deplaning from the aircraft and would TROOPS ARE BEING SENT” the relief and occupy Sardar Post and this was completed by first light, 12 April. The enemy made a few half hearted attempts to take the post but were beaten back every time. When the ceasefire was declare, Sardar Post was firmly in Indian hands. Born on 27 May 1934, Colonel Puntambekar was commissioned in 1st Battalion The Maratha Light Infantry in June 1959. He has the distinction of participating in the Liberation of Daman in 1961, ‘Operation Kabaddi’ in Rann of Kutch in 1965 and in the Liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 (Operation Vijay - East). He resides in Mumbai and can be contacted at [email protected]

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 11 12-14-HS Kler_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:54 PM Page 1

1965 WAR THE CAPTURE OF HAJIPIR PASS Maj Gen HS Kler, MVC, AVSM

The infiltration of population. The aim was to tap the after the name of Commander 68 Pakistani regular sympathetic elements among the local Infantry Brigade, Brig Zoru Bakshi. The soldiers into India population and cajole them to engineer plan involved a two pronged attack as as part of Operation a local uprising against India. follows: Gibraltar started on It was fortunate that we came to (a) 1 Para to capture Sankh and Ledwali 1 August 1965. The know about these operations, more by Gali by 0500h, D Plus 1. forces tasked to luck than by design. The first intimation (b) 19 Punjab to capture Ring Contour, operate in the that something was amiss came on 5 Pathra and Bedori (Pt 12330) by Kashmir valley August, when a local reported to the 0500h, D Plus 1. were designated as 1 Sector and those police station at Badgam that he had (c) 4 Rajput to capture Hajipir Pass by tasked to operate in the Jammu region been forcibly made to work as a porter as No 3 Sector. The former was placed for the infiltrators. More such under the command of Brigadier Fazle information started trickling in Rahim, MC. The latter was placed under thereafter, and action to evict the the command of Brigadier Ahmad Kazi. infiltrators were begun in earnest. The infiltrating columns were formed On 12 Aug 65, the army chief, General into six groups, each group being given JN Choudhary visited HQ 19 Infantry a code name of a Muslim conquerer, in a Division at Baramula. The Chief was bid to inspire their personnel. The briefed on the progress of operations groups were named Tariq, Qasim, and on measures required to be taken to Khalid, Salahuddin, Ghaznavi and prevent further infiltration into the area Babar. In addition, three more groups and to trap the infiltrators already inside designated as ‘F’ Force, Nusrat Force the Valley. This, the Chief was told, would and Poonch-Mandi Column were involve capturing Hajipir pass and all raised. The Tariq, Qasim, Khalid, areas up to the Kishanganga river and Salahuddin and ‘F’ Force were tasked for linking up thereafter with the Poonch operations in the Kashmir and Ladakh garrison. Over the next fortnight, divisions while the remainder were continued intensive operations against tasked to operate in the Jammu division. the infiltrators resulted in the situation Depending on their area of being normalised in the valley. Most of operation, the infiltrators were tasked to the infiltrators were killed or captured, destroy bridges, cut telephone lines, lay including bulk of the company mines, ambush convoys, attack isolated commanders, and huge quantities of parties, attack headquarters, arms, ammunition and explosives were ammunition dumps and isolated Indian recovered. At this stage the counter army posts, take on opportunity targets offensive code named Operation Bakshi like convoys and patrols and to create was launched. disturbances and unrest. A special force called Alamgir Force, under Capt. THE COUNTER OFFENSIVE: Farooq was tasked to capture the All OPERATION BAKSHI India Radio station at Srinagar and 68 Infantry Brigade was given the task of distribute propaganda literature in Urdu capturing the Hajipir Pass. The action and English among the local was code named ‘Operation Bakshi’,

12 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 12-14-HS Kler_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:54 PM Page 2

1965 WAR

1800h, D Plus 1. undergrowth, the assaulting troops got An attack on Sankh was launched by (d) 19 Punjab to exploit up to Pt 11107 delayed en route and the attack was 1 Para on 27 August 65 and the feature and establish contact with Hajipir launched in the daylight. The offensive was captured without any casualties on by 1800h D Plus 1. was held up due to heavy enemy our troops. The assaulting troops (e) 7 Bihar, ex 161 Infantry Brigade, to machine gun fire and our troops suffered pressed home the attack and Sawan capture Tilpatra and Ziarat by first 21 wounded before the attack was Pathri and Ledwali Gali were captured light on D Day. aborted. The troops returned to their in quick succession a couple of hours (f) 7 Bihar to capture Burji on night firm base along with all the wounded. later. That evening, a mixed column of A D/D Plus 1. The Eastern pincer on Bedori also did and D companies of 1 Para, under the (g) 6 Bihar to capture Memdagali and not go off as planned. 19 Punjab began command of Major Ranjit Singh Dyal, Lunda on night D/D Plus 1. the operation at 2150h on 25 August and moved towards the Hajipir pass to (h) D Day - 24 Aug 65. by midnight had secured Pathra. exploit the success achieved. The Due to heavy rains, D day was However, while advancing to Bedori column descended from the Ledwali postponed to 25 August. Since the they came under very heavy medium Gali and reached the Hyderabadi nallah streams on the right approach were machine gun fire, and further advance by nightfall. The terrain was difficult and flooded, 4 Rajput was switched on to the on the extremely narrow ridge line was rain further hampered movement but left approach. The attack on Sankh was not possible. It was realised then, that the troops pressed on, moving on the launched on 26 August by two the capture of Bedori would perforce left bank of the Hyderabadi nallah. The companies of 1 Para under the have to take place from the column stopped for a much needed halt command of Major Ranjit Singh Dyal. northeastern approach, and so 6 Bihar on reaching the old Uri-Poonch road at Due to heavy rains earlier and thick was detailed for the task. 0430h, about 10 km short of the Hajipir

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 13 12-14-HS Kler_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:54 PM Page 3

1965 WAR

pass, and resumed the advance at 0700 some fifty odd journalists from all over major setback in which we lost two hours. They reached the pass at 0900h, the world landed at our headquarter officers and 26 other ranks killed and four totally surprising the defenders. The and I was asked to brief them. After the officers and 47 other ranks wounded. enemy reacted with rifle and LMG fire briefing we sent the lot to the forward On 4 September 65, while I was busy from the pass itself and with MMG fire post in 161 Infantry Brigade from where in the operations room, Captain Gurung, from the western shoulder, but the pass the Hajipir pass could be observed by the Quartermaster of 1 Para, who was on was overrun and the defenders telescope. Meanwhile, we sent the his way from Pattan to Uri, dropped by to withdrew in confusion to the western IndianTricolour and our Divisional see me. During the course of our shoulder of the pass. This too was soon (Dagger) Flag by helicopter and asked conversation, he mentioned that he was silenced and the entire Hajipir pass fell 1Para to fix the flags on the tallest trees. fed up with administrative duties and into Indian hands. The journalists saw the flags and next wanted to take part in the action that The attack on Bedori was launched by day even the Pakistan media accepted was going on. I called up Ranjit Dayal 6 Bihar on the night of 26 August from the fall of Hajipir. Perhaps, after the and conveyed Gurung’s wishes. An the northeast. While still short of the siege of Lucknow in 1857, when the attack was being planned on Ring objective, the unit, wrongly assessing Union Jack flew at the residency for 24 Contour and so Captain Gurung was that the feature had been captured, gave hours, this was the first and the only given command of the company the success signal. On receipt of this occasion when the Tricolour and 19 selected to attack this feature. The attack signal, we launched 19 Punjab to exploit Infantry Division flags flew round the was launched on the night of 7/8 the success achieved. The Punjabis clock and were not lowered at Retreat. September. Repeated attempts to however were fired upon from atop Also, for the first time, field decoration capture this feature were held up due to Bedori and then it came to light that the for outstanding performance were heavy machine gun fire. Captain Gurung entire feature had not been captured. awarded to Major Ranjit Singh Dyal of 1 was killed leading his troops. Having This caused a lot of embarrassment and Para, Major S Kapur of 1Sikh and Lt Col failed to capture the ridge running west the corps commander was soon on the Sampuran Singh. The former was of the Road Hajipir - Poonch, the line, speaking to the GOC. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra and the operation was switched to the east. 6 terribly upset about what had happened. latter two were awarded Vir Chakra. I got DOGRA captured Point 7720 at dawn on Some time later he rang up again and my bottle of Black Dog, which was 9 September and 19 Punjab captured this time he spoke to me. I assured him brought by special courier, courtesy the Point 9270 later in the morning. Ziarat that we would capture Hajipir by 29 corps commander. was captured that same evening. August 65, and over a light hearted After the capture of the Hajipir pass, The historic link up with 93 Infantry banter even wagered a bottle of scotch ring contour overlooking Hajipir pass Brigade at Poonch took place at 1000 for capture of the objective by due date, was captured a few hours later by 1 Para. hours on 10 September. Kahuta was which to some extent mollified him. The advance elements of the enemy captured by 19 Punjab on the night Another attempt to capture Bedori from reserve battalion, that had been moved 11/12 September. While 19 Punjab and 6 the North was made by 4 Rajput, but opposite Tithwal, had by now arrived Dogra cleared the heights overlooking their assault too was held up. Lt Col here. During this attack, 1 Para lost 6 the road, 3 Sikh from 268brigade Sampuran Singh, CO 19 Punjab, then killed and 22 wounded. Major Ranjit ensured that the home bank of Neelam volunteered to capture Bedori from the Dyal had a miraculous escape when river was secured. All bridges were blown South. The attack was launched on the three bullets hit his belt but failed to and all infiltration routes to the Valley night of 28 August and the feature was penetrate through, remaining had been adequately taken care of. India captured after heavy fighting. They embedded in the belt. With the capture had indeed won a major victory. pressed on then to Kuthnar Di Gali and of ring contour the defence of the thence to Kiran, finally linking up with 1 Hajipir pass, was now secure. Commissioned on 10 Oct 1943 in Para on 1 September. After the capture of the Hajipir Pass, to the Corps of Signals, Maj. Gen. H.S. The official announcement of the secure the lines of Communication and Kler, as the GSO1 of 19 Infantry capture of the Hajipir Pass was facilitate the opening of the road Uri - Division, oversaw operations in the announced in the Indian parliament on Hajipir - Poonch, it was essential that the Kashmir Valley during the 1965 War. He 29 August 65 and all the members gave a enemy domination from the Bisali is a veteran of World War II, the 1948 standing ovation. The delay in the feature be removed. 4 Rajput was given Indo Pak War and the Liberation War of announcement by one day was to the task of capturing Bisali. The feature 1971, where he commanded 95 ensure that any counter attack by the was captured on the night 4/5 Mountain Brigade and was awarded the enemy would be taken care of. Radio September. However, they could not hold MVC. After command of 10 Infantry Pakistan kept claiming that the pass was this feature against relentless enemy Division, he left the Army and moved to still in their possession. The next day counter attacks. This was our second California where he currently resides.

14 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 15-16-Anil Heble_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:53 PM Page 1

1965 WAR A SUBALTERN REMEMBERS: MY DAYS IN CHHAMB

Lt Col Anil Heble

remains a mystery. This led to a major disaster on 15 August in 191 Infantry Brigade. On India’s Independence Day, Brig. B.F. Masters, the Commander of 191 Infantry Brigade. was at Dewa with his Brigade Order Group. That was the time when the enemy brought down a murderous barrage of artillery fire on the area. We were later told that fire had been directed by an enemy air observation post. I am not too sure. The fire was so accurate that only a Pakistani OP, possibly in civilian clothes, could have visually wreaked such havoc. Many I was commissioned in the Regiment of Ranbir Singh Pura with its close enemy OPs had infiltrated long before Artillery in August 1964 and was posted proximity to the borders always enabled and established themselves at vantage to 39 Medium Regiment located at free movement of locals living on either points to help direct fire. Surprisingly, Jullundur. Like my other batch mates side. To them, the concept of an they had considerable local support. The from the NDA and the IMA, I too was a imaginary line between the two warring damage was incalculable. Brig. Masters, starry-eyed youngster, all charged up and countries separating them meant little. along with three officers, one junior brimming with ideals. In early August, As part of their daily routine they grazed commissioned officer and four jawans, news started coming in of Pakistan their cattle, mingled together for family was killed, and two officers and thirty- infiltrators coming into J&K and the BBC functions and crossed sides at will. This eight other ranks were wounded. The reported that infiltrators masquerading was a perfect foil for the more aggressive artillery ammunition dump located at as locals were offering money for army Pakistanis to infiltrate informers, Dewa was also hit and blew up, causing information. Soon thereafter, the border mischief mongers and intelligence men. further damage and rendering six guns of areas in the Valley were subjected to Rumour mills had it that the entire area 14 Field Regiment out of action. sustained small arms and artillery fire. was rife with small raiding parties and Consequently, my Battery Commander The accuracy of enemy shelling made it snipers. So, when our regiment drove in (BC), ordered me to move immediately to plausible to assume that some of the fire and occupied a large dispersed area to Chhamb, giving me a map grid reference was being directed by OPs who had come harbour in transit, we were asked to be to reach by noon. This meant nothing to in with the infiltrating force and who had wary of possible surprise infiltration and me since I had no map of the area. I mingled with the local population. Our attacks. It was obvious to all of us that needed at least two sets of maps of the own retaliatory fire did not seem to something big was to happen beyond entire area, if not many more, if we were overtly concern the enemy. The regiment Jammu, in Chhamb-Jaurian in particular. to be of any use at all. It was the first time then moved to Ranbir Singh Pura, on the Information obtained by civilians, that I was moving out for war, and I had border near Jammu. At this time, a whispered among troops, suggested the no intention of doing so without maps. I medium regiment consisted of two presence of a large number of infiltrators made quite a vocal protest, and batteries, each having two troops. Each in the Chhamb-Jaurian area and of fortunately, the adjutant intervened. The troop had four 5.5 inch Howitzers. We Pakistan amassing forces across the maps were provided later that evening had one troop in the Valley, thus leaving border. Why our intelligence agencies and I set off the next day to the twelve guns in the regiment. could not pick up such obvious signs designated area.

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 15 15-16-Anil Heble_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:53 PM Page 2

1965 WAR

We made steady progress until we voila, I was finally through to someone in Air support was asked for, but our own reached the approximate designated authority. That night, on the orders of the Air Force reacted only that evening. Just area by about 1400h and stopped. I was CC Arty, our troop fired our guns for the before dusk, four Vampires from the IAF not aware of it at the moment, but we first time in anger against the enemy. swooped down on the area. There was were actually about a thousand yards Three days later, the remainder of the some confusion about the bomb line and short of where we were supposed to be. regiment moved up and went past our our aircraft ended up hitting some of our This was fortuitous. As we wiped our troop to deploy near Mandiala. Next own vehicles and troops as well. The brow, dusted our faces and waited for an morning, my troop was ordered to move Pakistani Sabres then came on the scene odd straggler vehicle to join us, we saw up and build upon them, much to the and in the ensuing dogfight the Vampires two corteges coming directly our way. In North near Dewa. The relief and security were bested. That was the end of IAF’s deference and respect for their right of to be with the rest of the regiment meant close ground support to us in that sector way, I got the convoy off the road, and as the world to all of us. for a long time to come. As night fell, the an afterthought, got the guns to deploy. August was drawing to a close. I was forward battalion, 6 Sikh LI had been Close by, we could hear an exchange of back with my troop but not for long. I was overrun by the assault of two armoured small arms fire, which was rather soon detailed to go to Sunderbani, to regiments and two infantry brigades, but disconcerting. I deployed the guns with receive an unnamed visitor. The an invaluable delay had been imposed the centre of arc obtained from the helicopter landed and a tall Major on the enemy and Mandiala was still approximate centre of the emanating General stepped out. He was holding out. That night, it was decided to Pakistani firing. A little later, rather accompanied by another officer, with a withdraw from Chhamb and the Brigade anxious in an imagined role, I loaded the bag of papers. I made bold to ask the withdrew in good order to Akhnur, less guns much against sagacious advice General who he was and his reply was the two battalions in the hill sector to the from my Troop Havildar. At that moment, memorable. North which continued to hold on to I forgot that an artillery gun can be ‘I am 10 Infantry Division and my their defences. unloaded only in one way – and that is by name is Chopra’. Strangely, the enemy did not pursue firing! As the cortege drew near, we learnt Thus was born a new infantry division their attack for the next two days and an that the bodies of Brig. Masters and his in the Indian Army. We drove to Akhnur unreal lull seemed to pervade over the staff officer were being taken away and where he was greeted by a larger battlefield. This was fortuitous for us as it we doffed our caps in respect to the reception party, and as I followed in my gave time for 41 Mountain Brigade to be departed soldiers. As dusk was settling in, jeep, he was taken to a PWD rest house. It moved up to Jaurian and establish an I closed in all personnel and vehicles and was simply amazing how soon an entire intermediate position there withits two deployed as per the book. Before long, formation can come up and become infantry battalions. 161 Field Regiment, three jeeps drove up and stopped amid a operational. When the sun rose on 31 which was affiliated to 28 Infantry cloud of dust, and a thick set man strode August 1965, it was like any other day, Brigade, was also sent forward in support out and summoned me. He wore no with sporadic small arms fire in close of the defences at Jaurian. By 5 badges of rank, but had an authoritative proximity and beyond, peppered with September, own troops had withdrawn air about him. He asked me a few short bursts of seemingly undirected from Jaurian and had fallen back to the preliminary questions, identified himself artillery fire. That was to change in the line of the Fatwal Ridge. With the launch as Brig. Surat Singh, Commander of the next twenty-four hours. of Operation Riddle by India on the 15 Corps Artillery Brigade, called CC Arty The Pakistani offensive started at morning of 6 September, the operations in short. It was a relief to have a senior about 3 a.m. on 1 September. For the next stabilised in this sector, and Pakistan’s officer around. He demanded to know few hours, till dawn, we were subjected to push to Akhnur was effectively thwarted. how and why I had deployed and seemed a harrowing bombardment, with more entirely satisfied by my explanation. than a hundred guns spitting their An alumnus of the National Defence However, his brow was knit when told I venomous load on us. Their widespread Academy, Khadakvasla, Lt Col Anil wasn’t in communication with my BC, or area bombardment was quite Heblewas commissioned in the indeed with anyone at all. Then I told him unimaginable and left us shaken Regiment of Artillery in 1964. A veteran that I had loaded my guns out of mindless. As dawn broke, the assault of the 1965 War, he had the privilege of excitement or perhaps a bit of fear too began with all ferocity, led by the enemy serving both at the gun end and during and his face creased into a broad smile. tanks. Fierce battles raged all along the the later part of the war at the OP end My sacrilege was apparently forgiven! front but by mid day, the forward crust with 39 Medium Regiment in the crucial Those were the days of the had been breached and the enemy was battles which took place in the Chhamb- temperamental antiquated Radio Set 62 now pressing on to Mandiala, which was Jauriyan Sector and was also the OP with that didn’t work for love or money. He held by 15 Kumaon along with the 1/ 1 GR, when the unit captured the told me to tune in to his frequency, and Brigade HQ. Manani feature.

16 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 17-19-Burki_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:53 PM Page 1

1965 WAR THE CAPTURE OF BARKI Col Surinder Sagar Duggal

n September some stay behind OP parties of the three days earlier, but somehow 1965, 4 Sikh was enemy. relevant orders had not been Ilocated at On 8 September, at around 8 a.m., disseminated downwards. This task was Ferozepur, having Commander 65 Infantry Brigade now given to our brigade. arrived there a appeared on the scene from nowhere At this time, 4 Sikh was deployedin month earlier after a and asked my CO, as to why we hadn’t the open, in sugarcane fields, east of tenure in Arunachal captured Barki. Col Anant expressed road, opposite village Barki. After a Pradesh, where the surprise as no such task had been detailed discussion it was decided to unit took part in operations against the assigned to him. Obviously, there was a use armour in an unorthodox manner Chines in the Walong Sector. It had serious communication gap. Without with head lights on to assist the arrived just a month earlier and was clearing the air he told the CO to clear assaulting infantry. In Phase 1, 16 settling down to celebrate Saragarhi village Brahamnabad approximately Punjab, our sister battalion was to Day, on 12 September in a grand three km west of road Barki–Lahore, capture the village while in Phase 2, 4 manner. On 3 September the call to where the Hudiara drain merged with Sikh was to capture a section of the arms was received and the battalion Ichhogil Canal. The objective was to be Ichhogil canal adjacent to the village. mobilised for war. I was then the cleared in broad daylight. CO 16 Punjab was not confident of his Adjutant of the Battalion and thus had a This village was actually to be troops’ ability to fight in built up area. ringside view into what transpired cleared by another battalion, but Col On his request the tasks were during those stirring times. Anant Singh took on the task and ‘D’ interchanged.As per plan ‘D’ Coy 4 Sikh and ‘A’ companies attacked and was to marry up with a squadron of Initial Operations captured Brahmanabad, suffering 4 Central India Horse (CIH) at Mile 16 at For Operation Riddle,7 Infantry dead and 19 wounded in the process. 1900 on 10 September and then the Division, was tasked to advance on axis The enemy brought down intense tanks were to advance with full head Bhikhiwind-Barki-Lahore and secure artillery fire using variable time (VT) lights on, using main and secondary East bank of Ichhogil canal from Jallo to fuses. After securing the position, Major armament up to 400 yards short of Bedian in the South. After clearing the Manhas, the Company Commander of Barki. Thereafter, ‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies border out posts (BOPs) astride the ‘A’ Company noticed a canal bank were to attack West and East Barki road axis, the leading troops of 48 approximatelytwo km away. A respectively at 2000 hrs, assisted by infantry Brigade contacted Hudiara reconnaissance patrol sent up to the tanks. ‘B’ Company was earmarked as drain by the evening of 6 September. canal found no enemy there. The day reserve. After success of this phase, 16 Simultaneously, 4 Sikh entered being hot and sultry the boys could not Punjab was to pass through and capture Pakistani territory after clearing two resist a dip in the cool water which was the canal adjacent to the village. posts of Satluj Rangers - Theh Sarja in fact the famous Ichhogil canal. The Marja & Rakh Hardit Singh. This was higher HQ, for some strange reason, Capture of Barki achieved in complete stealth. Advance refused to believe our report that this During the day of 9 and 10 September, was held up on Hudiara drain where the section of the Ichhogil Canal was not we were subjected to heavy artillery fire. enemy had blown up the bridge. The held by the enemy. Had we acted on this Since we were well dug in, the casualties engineers were called forward to build information, we could have secured were light. Patrols sent out at night to an equipment bridge. 4 Sikh was both banks without a fight and used it ascertain extent of enemy’s defences following on the same axis. While two of as a base for launching a flanking attack and locations of his automatics invited our companies helped the engineers, on the occupied section of village Barki immediate reaction in the form of rest of the battalion remained deployed thus avoiding the subsequent costly extensive lighting up of the no man’s along the road. During night 7/8 operation. land. However, we got a rough idea of September, the battalion took up On 9 September,the CO was called to the enemy’s defences, from the liberal positions on the far side of Hudiara the Division HQ for briefing on attack use of tracer ammunition made by the drain. Here, we were subjected to heavy on Barki. It appeared that this task had enemy at night. To mislead us, he was shelling by enemy artillery directed by been allotted to our division at least firing from roof tops whereas his actual

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 17 17-19-Burki_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:53 PM Page 2

1965 WAR

Officers of 4 Sikh with Lt Gen Harbakhsh Singh at Barki Police Station

defences were in pill boxes at ground yielded no response even as the H hour attack, or should he go ahead without level, well camouflaged to merge with was approaching. This was a serious the tanks and artillery support. Col the back ground. The formidable nature letdown. To add to the uncertainty, just Anant was not one given to doubt. of enemy defences was realised only then the Commander Artillery of our Without hesitation, he designated each next day after the objectives had been Division appeared on the scene, stood member of the attacking echelons as ‘a captured. atop a nearby tube well and started Centurion Tank’ and informed the Close to H hour, two mishaps nearly shouting at the top of his voice, brigade HQ that he was attacking upset the schedule of attack. The tanks “Stop the attack - the targets have without the support of artillery and failed to marry up with ‘D’ Company at not been registered”. tanks. Fortunately, just then, our own Mile 16, at the appointed time. The CO faced a classic dilemma at Battery Commander (BC) lived up to Repeated messages to brigade HQ this stage. Should he postpone the the gunners’ reputation and brought

18 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 17-19-Burki_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:53 PM Page 3

1965 WAR

down accurate fire on the enemy of him and explained the battle The shelling was so intense that we positions. The attack went in at the situation. Even then it took him were forced to go to ground and take scheduled time. The men charged considerable time to obtain permission positions in an irrigation channel close forward like real tanks, literally from his squadron commander to by. My batman lay on top of me as a believing the CO’s word.Both the switch fire to the canal bank. shield against shelling, saying “Sahib ji, companies came under effective The leading tank which had reached gola pehalan mere te digu - the shell automatic fire from the entire village close to the police station blew up on an will land on me first.” Such was the front and various places on the Ichhogil anti tank mine thus blocking the unflinching loyalty of our troops. The canal. Enemy illuminated the entire forward move of other tanks. Presently incessant shelling continued for about area making itbright as daylight. the CO of CIH along with his squadron two hours generating fear – ‘the next At 2025 hours, the assaulting commander came forward. They shell is bound to land on me’. At one companies were about 400 yards from jumped into one of our anti tank time I prayed to God to finish me off but the outskirts. The casualties were piling recoilless gun jeeps and reached the that was not to be. After the shelling up but the tanks had still not fetched blown up tank. After assessing the stopped a team led by RMO, came to up. Yet, by sheer grit and determination, situation, the CO ordered the rest of the give first aid to the wounded. I refused undeterred by enemy bullets the tanks to move left of the road. On the to be carried on stretcher and preferred companies closed in. Now only a way back the jeep with both the officers to walk. I was taken to a pill box where I hundred yards separated them from the also blew up on a mine. We felt bad had five of dead enemy soldiers for objective - the last hundred yards which when we learnt that both the officers company. I didn’t want to be mistaken is the ultimate test of infantry’s skill and died of injuries in the hospital. The as the sixth one and asked to be moved guts. As the Sikhs let out their blood tragic loss hurt much more when we to an alternate shelter. Around 4 a.m., curdling war cry “Bole So Nihal” the learnt later, that the deadly mines were our MT JCO evacuated me in my CO’s enemy soldiers were paralysed in their Indian, not Pakistani. Some one acting jeep to ADS at Khalra.After the battle I bunkers. Some came out with their prematurely had dispatched a load of went on to see the site and found the hands raised in surrender while others anti tank mines in a civilian hired truck place littered with huge craters except started running from their pill-boxes.‘A’ to be laid after capture of the objective. the place where we had lain. Our Company Commander was hit by a The truck was either not escorted or survival was a sheer miracle. bullet in his thigh but refused to be was poorly briefed. No one stopped it. When 16 Punjab went through Phase evacuated and continued to command The poor civilian driver drove straight 2 i.e. capture of Ichhogil canal they had his boys.Gradually, the enemy’s into the hands of the enemy possibly a a clean walk over. Apprehending a resistance cracked and Barki fell to 4 day before commencement of our major offensive by us the enemy had Sikh. Time now was about 2110 hours. attack. The Pakistanis made effective vacated all positions on the canal and ‘B’ and ‘D’ companies too were called use of our gift against us. That was the withdrawn to outskirts of Lahore.To forward and the battalion redeployed to fog of war. capture Barki, 4 Sikh paid a heavy price face the inevitable counterattack. My CO asked me to pass success – 23 dead and 94 wounded including signal to Brigade HQ to enable Phase 2 two officers. In collective valour, feats of Confusion Galore of the attack to be launched. To my individual courage and devotion to For some time after capture of Barki, horror, the signal operator informed me uphold the good name of the unit and confusion prevailed due to lack of he was unable to pass the message as he ability of the officers to inspire and lead coordination and communication gaps. had lost the aerial of radio set 62. The from the front it was a saga in the same At about 2200 hours, tanks came line Battalion HQ area was under intense class as Saragarhi 68 years earlier. This ahead on the road and started firing artillery shelling. While trying to locate was indeed a great victory achieved. into village Barki, not realising it had the aerial I saw a few drops of blood on already been captured, resulting in own my shirt and thought perhaps my An alumnus of the 17th NDACourse casualties. I immediately ran up to the batman or signal operator had been hit and commissioned in 4 Sikh (Saragarhi road along with my Signal Officer to and it was their blood. I realised I had fame),Col Surinder Sagar Duggal is a inform the tanks not to engage the been hit only when my batman pointed veteran of both the 1965 and 1971 village but switch fire to the canal bank out there was blood all over my face. Indo-Pak Wars. He served as the left of the road. With the hatches closed When I touched my face I couldn’t feel Adjutant of 4 Sikh for six years and it was impossible to get to the tank my nose, it had gone totally numb. A later commanded the same battalion. commanders. Even banging with rifle depressing thought struck me - “Naak jo 1971, in the Bangladesh War of butts proved to be of no avail. After kat gayee- ab main shaadi se gayaa - Liberation, he took part in the battles about 30 minutes one JCO popped his with the nose gone which girl would like of Chaugacha, Burinda (Jessore Sector) head out of the hatch. We grabbed hold to marry me?” and Siramani (Khulna Sector).

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 19 20-21-Asal Uttar_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:58 PM Page 1

1965 WAR THE FATEFUL 72 HOURS AN ACCOUNT OF THE BATTLE OF ASAL UTTAR

Lt Col Naresh K. Rastogi

In May 1965, my CO covering the Bhikiwind axis and 62 promoted me to the Mountain Brigade covering the Khem rank of Acting Major and Karan - Valtoha axis. sent me to Ferozepur to The enemy began their assault astride take over the brigade both the axes at 0800h on 8 September. In signal company 7 Mountain Brigade sector, the enemy affiliated to 7 Mountain overran our defences at Bhura Kuna and Brigade. The brigade had moved to by 1100h, launched an attack on 4 Ferozepur and thence to the border, in Grenadiers at Chima. The attack was anticipation of hostilities developing as a however repulsed with machine gun and consequence of the conflict in Kutch. anti tank fire causing heavy losses to the After suffering the heat and dust for some enemy. The enemy tank troops were time, we reverted to Ambala sometime in mostly sticking to the narrow road, so July. After Pakistan launched its offensive quite a few tanks were damaged and in Chhamb, we were ordered to move to abandoned, further choking those roads. Khem Karan on 4 September 1965. That evening, I accompanied the We were part of 4 Mountain Division commander to have a look at these which had two brigades - 7 Mountain invincible tanks. Our boys pulled out Ms Rasoolan Bibi, widow of CQMH Abdul Brigade and 62 Mountain Brigade. 7 some radio equipment along with their Hamid, receiving the Param Vir Chakra Mountain Brigade was tasked to capture instruction books which were still from the President of India, Dr Sarvepalli Theh Pannu and Ballanwala on the home Radhakrishnan wrapped in polythene bags. I forwarded side of the Ichhogil canal, in the Khem these to the regimental HQ. Luckily, like Karan Sector of Punjab. The brigade in the Mahabharata, there was no further sub allotted the task to 4 because unknown to us then, its 1 fighting that night as the enemy tanks Grenadiers for the capture of Theh Pannu Armoured Division was concentrated at pulled back to laager and rested for the and to 7 Grenadiers for the capture Kasur. Due to the reverses suffered by us night. Ballanwala. The third battalion, 1/9 GR in the initial attacks, the effective fighting Next morning, on 9 September, the was deployed in depth at Bhura Kunha, strength of the division was whittled enemy came close to probe our defences, located between Chima and Khem Karan down to about three to four battalions, but 4 Grenadiers were ready. On this day, villages, to act as the firm base for launch and now this force took up a defensive showing exceptional courage and guts, of operations by the other two position to halt the expected offensive by CQMH Abdul Hamid destroyed three battalions.62 Mountain Brigade was also the enemy’s 1 Armoured Division. 1/9 Gr tanks, mounted on his 106 mm anti tank given objectives on the Ichhogil canal and 18 Raj Rif continued to stay in their recoilless gun. Brig. Sidhu was impressed further south, which were sub allotted to defences at Bhura Kunha and Asal Uttar with the valour shown by Hamid and 9 J&K Rifles and 13 Dogra. The third and 4 Grenadiers was withdrawn from directed me to send an ‘Emergency’ battalion, 18 Raj Rif was deployed at Asal Theh Pannu which it had captured and Signal, recommending him for Maha Vir Uttar to act as a firm base for the above was deployed across the Khem Karan Chakra. Later in the day, some tanks attacks. Bhikiwind road, near village Chima. HQ 7 outflanked us from the west but got stuck These attacks were launched on night Mountain Brigade was deployed at 11r in up in the flooded fields where the drains 5/6 September, but only the attack by 4 Chima village, and my signals company had been ruptured by artillery fire. Their Grenadiers was successful in capturing was deployed around it to the north. The crew surrendered to the infantry platoon Theh Pannu. The enemy appeared to be defences of the division thus resembled a of 4 Grenadiers sent to round them up. much stronger than we expected, horse shoe, with 7 Mountain Brigade The enemy once again resumed their

20 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 20-21-Asal Uttar_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:58 PM Page 2

1965 WAR

Enemy Tanks destroyed in the Battle of Asal Uttar

attack in earnest on 10 September, but abandoned when bogged down on a war, I can but salute the leadership and were halted at a distance. On this day, bund near the water tank along the road. courage shown by Brig. Sidhu and the Abdul Hamid continued with his heroics Shortly thereafter, we were hit by heavy grit, determination and fighting spirit of 4 of the previous day, accounting for machine gun fire from behind. It Grenadiers. The enemy commanders another enemy tank. Tragically, soon appeared that enemy tanks had proved rather inept, and grossly thereafter, his jeep got a direct hit and surrounded us, but then I heard some underrated Indian capability. Leaders exploded, killing him instantly. The shouting, which sounded like our own like Brig. Sidhu and Col Farhat Bhatti, CO commander then asked me to send a troops. I crawledforward along the grove 4 Grenadiers and troops like CQMH ‘Flash’ message, amending the earlier and there met Maj. Vohra of 3 Cavalry. Abdul Hamid showed exemplary courage citation to read ‘Param Vir Chakra, They had been told that our position had against great odds, which saved our posthumous’ in place of ‘Maha Vir been overrun and had come to ‘liberate’ country the blushes and resulted in the Chakra’. That same evening, the us. Luckily, no damage was done. destruction of a significant part of the posthumous award of Param Vir Chakra An eerie silence prevailed as day broke enemy’s offensive potential – a feat for was announced to CQMH Abdul Hamid on 11 September. We were all on which all of us who took part in the by All India Radio.Meanwhile, in an effort tenterhooks, not sure what the day would operation can feel justifiably proud of. to speed up the attack, Pakistan’s bring. I was manning the operations armoured division commander moved room when an early morning call broke up to the front. He was spotted by the the silence that prevailed. The corps Lt Col Naresh K Rastogi was troops of 4 Grenadiers and his vehicle commander was on line. commissioned in the Corps of Signals in was destroyed by machine gun fire. The ‘Oye!’ he said, in his typical accent, 1957. He joined the Madras Regiment in general survived but his commander ‘this is Corps Commander General 1971, after the Army Chief asked for artillery, Brig. Shami was killed and the Dhillon. Your boys have done extremely volunteers to join the Infantry and took Grenadiers recovered his body, along well; we are proud of you all. Call your part in the Bangladesh Liberation War with his fully marked artillery map. It commander. Chhetti.’ with 8 Madras in the Jessore Khulna appeared that the enemy was confident The last word was Punjabi, meaning Sector. On leaving the Army, he moved of reaching Delhi within a few days! ‘quickly’. We were all justifiably proud of to Nigeria, where he worked with an In the afternoon, one Pakistani tank having broken the back of an armoured MNC for 12 years. He is now settled in had reached behind our location but was division attack. Having witnessed the Noida.

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 21 22-25-Bhat_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:57 PM Page 1

1965 WAR PHILLORA AND ASAL UTTAR: TWO HISTORIC TANK BATTLES OF THE WAR Lt Col Anil Bhat

he two intense tank battles As soon as Rurki Kalan was secured by of this war, fought at Phillora C Squadron, A and B Squadrons made a (Punjab, Pakistan) by dash for their objectives. The task of ‘A’ Hodson’s Horse (4 Horse) Squadron was more vital, as they had to and Poona Horse (17 Horse) make sure that all enemy forces holding Tand at Asal Uttar (Punjab, India) fought Chobara-Gadgor and particularly his by 3 Cavalry, 8 Cavalry, Deccan Horse (9 armour was effectively intercepted, Horse) and Scinde Horse (14 Horse), bottled up and destroyed. debilitated Pakistan’s armour and As the two squadrons swung towards demoralised their soldiers. Pakistani their objectives, the enemy realised what tank crews began to avoid engaging was happening and finding himself in a Indian armoured units and even desperate situation, reacted violently abandoned many of their fully with his tanks and mobile anti functional tanks which were captured tankrecoilless (rcl) guns. Some sharp and intact. Many tank crews, hiding after intense tank versus tank encounters abandoning their tanks, were also took place and we bested the enemy captured. each time. The enemy now attempted to The Battle of Phillora is best related fall back on Phillora, but found the tanks from excerpts of Commandant, Lt Col MMS Bakshi, MVC of ‘A’ Squadron lying in wait for him. Hodson’s Horse, Lt Col MMS Bakshi’s Elements of the Squadron had by now (later Brigadier) detailed personal 2/Lt AK Nehra. Up to this point enemy crossed the road to Saboke and account. resistance was minimal, as the enemy encountered a stream of assorted enemy had fled in front of our advance. traffic, flowing back from Gadgor. In all, Account of Lt Col (later Brig), MM However, Rurki Kalan remained a thorn it accounted for 8 Patton tanks, 4 rcl Bakshi, MVC on our side for quite a few days. We jeeps, 5 MMG mounted jeeps and a large At first light on 11 September, in the found several days later that the enemy number of vehicles carrying infantry. A wake of an intense artillery had a well developed under ground large amount of abandoned equipment bombardment, C Squadron started its trench system and shelters for Mujahids, fell into our hands intact. One of the advance as planned. Within minutes the stay-behind parties and artillery OPs, captured jeeps belonged to Captain enemy artillery opened up and troops and they were well stocked with Raza, who was commanding the were also subjected to enemy air attack. ammunition and rations for a prolonged reconnaissance troop. Several maps The squadron Commander, Major stay. These parties proved to be of were found in his jeep, which came in Desraj Urs was hit by a shrapnel in the considerable nuisance value to vehicles handy and were most welcome. These eye, but he refused to be evacuated, and and to the follow-up infantry, especially maps were more up-to-date than ours. gallantly led his squadron till Rurki Kalan at night. Rurki Kalan was a big village of I was moving behind ‘A’ and ‘B’ was captured. He was evacuated mud huts and it took several days for the Squadrons, to keep control of the battle thereafter and the command of ‘C’ infantry to flush out the hostile and the battery commanders tank, Squadron fell on the young shoulders of elements. loaned from the 2IC was closely

22 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 22-25-Bhat_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:57 PM Page 2

1965 WAR

Hodson's Horse tank at Phillora Police Station

following me. The adjutant was trailing was about a 1000 yards from the enemy a third enemy tank, but was now well some distance behind. Further behind tanks and it was not possible to get away marked by the enemy. A third hit on my was the 2IC, following up in a jeep. He without inviting hostile attention. I tank jammed the turret, making it had got bogged down and was out of therefore engaged the first tank and impossible to lay the gun. That made me communication. I halted short of knocked it out with an APDS round. virtually a sitting duck, unable to hit Dulmanwali, and from there, could Then, before the second tank had a back at the enemy. Instinctively, I clearly discern the Phillora- Libbe road, chance to react, the second round sent ordered the driver to charge full speed which was lined on both sides by very that tank too up in flames. ahead, simply hoping for the best in this tall Shisham trees. This was a useful This was a most heartening sight for very tight situation. In a swirl of dust, we landmark for orientation in an otherwise my crew. Meanwhile, the battery charged forward and crossed the road, featureless terrain. It was then that I commander’s tank also picked on an passing between two blazing Patton spotted a couple of Patton tanks in enemy tank and destroyed it with the tanks that were belching huge columns position, under the trees with their guns very first round. Having done this job, he of smoke. After having crossed the road pointing towards Libbe. They appeared managed to make a quick run to safety in and feeling relatively safe, in another to be deployed to cover the approach high reverse. For a few seconds the split second decision I ordered the driver from the direction of Libbe towards enemy was too stunned to react, but he to turn right, thereby hoping to link up Phillora and had not yet spotted me. It soon recovered and my tank came under with friendly forces which were transpired that the enemy had a fire. The enemy scored two hits on my advancing onto Phillora from that squadron deployed in this area, though I tank but fortunately no major damage direction. However, that was not to be. was not aware of that at the moment. I was done. I now engaged and destroyed As soon as my tank turned right, it got

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 23 22-25-Bhat_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:57 PM Page 3

1965 WAR

a direct hit on the rear hull from the left into the sugarcane field, where cover was the same tanks that had engaged me. ‘B’ flank. The engine and inside of the turret available. I turned and took two shots Squadron was now deployed between immediately caught fire, leaving me and with my pistol at the Pakistani soldiers, Kotli Khadam Shah and Wachoke and C my crew stranded in the open, in enemy keeping the remaining rounds for later. Squadron was asked to come up in territory surrounded by hostile tanks. This cooled their ardour to a great degree support. In a fierce tank duel they The battery commanders tank and the and they lost their zeal, taking cover destroyed five enemy tanks astride the adjutant’s tank had wisely decided to behind some trees and attempting road in area Kotli Khadam Shah and four stay put in their respective positions, not potshots from there. I heaved a sigh of more in area Wachoke, besides four realising what was happening ahead. relief when we reached the sugarcane jeeps mounted with anti tank rcl guns. I now ordered the crew to retrieve the field, but that was short lived. We soon This sharp and bold action broke the sten gun and bale out. It took some effort came under intense artillery and enemy’s back, but that was not the end. to find the sten, after which we jumped machine gun fire. Shortly thereafter, as if by a miracle, off the tank and rushed towards a sugar While this drama was raging, the our own aircraft appeared overhead, cane field across the road, a few hundred regiment was oblivious of my condition, probably attracted by thick columns of yards away. Captain Ravi Malhotra was as sans my tank, I was not in smoke from burning tanks. In a deadly with me along with the wireless communication with them. At this time, attack, at least six enemy tanks were hit, operator, Daffedar Ajit Singh, the driver, however,B Squadron under Maj. going by the thick column of black Sowar Gurmej Singh and also Sowar Bhupinder Singh had advanced as per smoke going up. That was the last straw Harbhajan Singh. This was indeed a plan around Rurki Kalan and was for the enemy, who decided to pull back dangerous situation and the enemy heading for Kotli Bagga and with his remnants. All the while I was in responded by letting loose a hail of Dulmanwali. Enemy tanks were putting the sugarcane field and at the receiving artillery and machine gun fire on us. To up stubborn resistance, but Bhupinder end from both sides, though fortunately, top it all, the surviving crew members of had two troops and with skilful fire and in their attempt to engage with ‘B’ the Pakistani tanks we had knocked out move, pushed the enemy back towards Squadron, the enemy had all but also got into the act, and tried to Kotli Khadam Shah, where a fierce tank forgotten me. It was then that I heard the intercept us and prevent our entering versus tank battle ensued. These were welcome sound of the tanks of 17

24 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 22-25-Bhat_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:57 PM Page 4

1965 WAR

(Poona) Horse, coming from the with two squadrons of Chaffees and one fields. On 11 September 1965, Second direction of Libbe. I moved out of the squadron of Pattons. Under cover of Lieutenant (2/Lt) PJS Mehta, sugar cane field and there made contact artillery fire, their advancing columns commissioned into 3 Cavalry just before with 17 Horse, whose 2IC also arrived moved within 900 metres of the Indian the war, led a team of twenty soldiers of 1 there shortly thereafter. He picked us up defences. At this point, they were Dogra to search a sugarcane field where and took me to my headquarter, where I engaged by tanks of 9 Horse. Pakistani some suspicious movement was seen. once again assumed command from armour broke up into smaller groups Surrounding the sugarcane field, 2/Lt another tank. and tried to infiltrate into the Indian Mehta shouted out for those inside to By now Hodsons' Horse had put a defences by carrying out an outflanking come out. And out came the CO of Pak tight squeeze on Phillora. We were not manoeuvre. At one stage, 1/9 Gorkha army’s 4 Cavalry, two majors, one only keeping the enemy’s Phillora Rifles, 9 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles and captain and 17 of its other ranks, all of defences fully engaged but also HQ 62 Mountain Brigade were whom were captured by Mehta as destroying everything falling back from surrounded. Utilising standing crops, prisoners of war. the Gadgor defences. Meanwhile, 17 the tanks were engaged by 9 Horse, 3 Cavalry’s squadron under Capt. Horse had also fetched up from the medium guns and tank hunting teams. 9 Nagindar Singh (later Col), was attached direction of Libbe and made contact Horse managed to destroy 11 tanks while to Scinde Horse in area Atari-Dograi. with Phillora from the South and losing four of their own. Three other After destroying the second enemy tank, Southwest. By 1530 hours, Phillora was tanks were damaged by medium guns he recalls: “Troops under my command taken by 17 Horse and 43 Lorried and tank hunting parties. Such heavy shot down a Patton tank as it came down Infantry Brigade. Thus, our armour had losses compelled the Pakistanis to the Lahore-Amritsar road and we never virtually put a ring around Phillora, and retreat. The Pakistanis, despite saw any Pattons again in that area”. threatened its life line to Chawinda. possessing night fighting capabilities, Seeing Pakistani tank crews By the end of the war, Hodson’s Horse did not attack by night, giving Indian abandoning their tanks, 3 Cavalry’s A had destroyed 79 tanks and 17 rcl guns of units the opportunity to regroup and be Squadron Commander, Maj Sureesh the enemy. While Maj. Bhupinder Singh ready for the next assault. Vadera, mustered a small was admitted to Army Hospital, Delhi, On 08 September 1965, Lt Col Salim reconnaissance party and approached for severe burns, Prime Minister Lal Caleb, Commandant, 3 Cavalry the tanks, some of them with their Bahadur Shastri came there to meet the anticipating the situation, began moving engines and radio sets still running. They war-wounded personnel. When the PM the regiment towards Asal Uttar even captured nine Pattons in perfect running approached his bed, Bhupinder before orders for the same came from condition. Also captured was a M113 expressed regret at not being able to above. Tank crews of 3 Cavalry’s B armoured personnel carrier, from which stand and salute him. The Prime Squadron were exhorted by the was recovered Pak army’s 4 Armoured Minister never forgot that experience squadron commander, Maj PS Belvalkar Brigade Operation Order, which hangs and for the short while that lived over the radio-“Press hard and get the b- framed in 3 Cavalry’s Officers’ Mess. thereafter, he praised Maj Bhupinder ------s before they turn and run back”. Pakistan suffered a crushing defeat in Singh often and widely. Unfortunately, The first tank commander to destroy two Asal Uttar due to the resolute stance of Bhupinder succumbed to his injuries a Pattons in quick succession was Dafadar the Indian troops. It lost 97 tanks, few days later. Wasan Singh. The first of the Centurians including 72 Pattons; 32 tanks were Lt (later Col) Ashok Sodhi, became a to be hit by an armour piercing shot captured in running condition. India in victim of Pakistan armour’s poor from a Patton was of 2/Lt Prakash contrast lost only five tanks. Near Khem gunnery, when, while he was directing Joseph. It was well aimed but failed to Karan, a stretch where about a 100 fire with his hatch opened and head out, penetrate the Centurian’s gun mantlet. destroyed Pakistani tanks were lined up, an armour-piercing round failed to hit Both these developments were greeted came to be known as the graveyard of the tank but grazed his skull, shattering a by cheers and further boosted the Pattons. Out of 471 Pakistani tanks 3 inches diameter part of it. He was in confidence of the tank crews. destroyed in the war, as claimed by coma in Army Hospital, Delhi, for over By September 10, the Pakistanis with India, over 100 each were destroyed in 30 days, after which he recovered with a numerous tank and human casualties, battles of Phillora and Asal Uttar and 38 fresh lease of life and a plate covering the were in a desperate situation. When they were captured. shattered part of his skull. attempted to outflank Indian defences 3 Cavalry was conveyed a ‘Shabash’ with two regiments of Pattons, a personally from Prime Minister Lal Tank Battles of Asal Uttar squadron of Chaffees and a motorised Bahadur Shastri, and a note saying "Well Pakistanis launched their offensive at battalion, they were encountered by the done Caleb, Well done the 3rd Cavalry" 0830 hours on September 08. Their tanks of 3 Cavalry and 8 Cavalry that was sent by General (later Field Marshal) bridgehead operations were undertaken were camouflaged in the sugarcane K.M. Cariappa.

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 25 26-27-Wg Cdr Vinod Nebb_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:57 PM Page 1

1965 WAR ROOKIE PILOT Wg Cdr Vinod Nebb, VrC and Bar

When the 1965 war On the morning of 6 September, I was go over the airfield but had turned 270 broke out, I had not yet on Operational Ready Platform (ORP) degrees, heading for the border, leaving finished my Fully duty from thirty minutes before sunrise the airfield on the south. Operational Syllabus, to 1300h. I was required to be on standby Rathore positioned his aircraft behind and was therefore only to take on the enemy within two minutes. them and I was to his left. My job was to qualified to do air As my shift was drawing to a close at look out for more bogies and cover his defence missions. Due 1300h, Sqn Ldr Patel and Flt Lt D.N. tail. I saw Rathore firing at the aircraft on to severe lack of Rathore were detailed to take over the the right. Seeing him fire, I was now experience, my Flight Commander (Flt afternoon shift. Since Patel had some certain that they were enemy Sabres. I Cdr), Sqn Ldr D.S. Jog did not detail me work, he requested me to continue and then decided to take on the Sabre to the for any live missions against the enemy. I stand in for him. Rathore,being my left. In my excitement, I just put the was disappointed and eager to actively leader, carried out a briefing. At around aircraft nose onto the enemy aircraft and participate in the war, and expressed my 1700h, my station commander, Group started firing, but found to my chagrin feelings and desire to him. I had learnt Captain John, was in conversation with that the bullets, instead of hitting the how our soldiers had been humiliated in the Air Defence Commander on the enemy, were running on the ground. the 1962 war against China and I was tennoy. He was told to get all serviceable Quick as a flash, I remembered the keen to change such perceptions. With a/c airborne as a massive air strike was ‘Ranging and Tracking’exercise taught to great reluctance, he conceded to my expected by the enemy. Hearing this, it us on the use of Gyro Gunsight (aiming request and I was put on air defence was clear to me that since the time was device meant to feed range and gravity missions. inadequate to comply with the advice, I drop to the aiming point ‘piper’). I then On the morning of 5 September 1965, was sure that we at ORP would be asked put the piper on to the aircraft cockpit a single F 104 Starfighter made a high to protect the base. I casually picked up and fired a burst. This hit the tail of the speed single pass down the runway. It my flying helmet, proceeded to my enemy aircraft and some black smoke was interpreted by us as a photo aircraft, strapped myself up, and waited emanated. I moved the piper slightly reconnaissance sortie to identify our for the command. Sure enough, a few forward and fired another burst. The dispersal plans and positions of aircraft minutes later, Flt Lt Rathore, who was my Sabre now threw a hard left turn, which and our readiness status. It was evident leader for the mission, came running out gave me a sudden plan view for a that soon, we would have an airstrike to scramble. I took the cue and started moment, and made it better for me to against our ground instillations and my aircraft. Rathore came live on RT and position the piper. I was taught during aircraft. Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Ahuja told me to scramble for Combat Air training that two pounds of high and Flying Officer (Flg Offr) M.V. Singh Patrol (CAP) over the base, for which I explosive charge fired into an aircraft were detailed to carry out a strike against had already been briefed. As we took causes it to explode, but this aircraft did Pakistan Army‘s ground position in position for the CAP, I spotted three not explode! I continued to fire at him Kasur, across Khem Karan. Here, M.V. aircraft coming towards our base from and kept closing on to him with utter Singh was shot up by the enemy ack-ack the northeast. disregard for my own safety. fire, a shell went through his cockpit, and ‘Three bogies, one o’clock below’, I When I was about 100 yards away, the his right leg got severely injured. Since he informed my leader. aircraft suddenly exploded. I saw a big was in terrible pain and unable to fly his I had never seen the F 86 Sabre – it sort moon-shaped chunk of debris flying aircraft back to base, he ejected and was of resembled our own Mystere aircraft, towards me, so I broke right and pulled taken prisoner by the enemy. and this had me momentarily confused. up to find Rathore to my right and ahead Incidentally, it was in the Khem Karan However, Rathore was very clear about of me. I caught up with him and we sector that an army vehicle driven by them. He established visual contact and proceeded to the Ferozepur border to see Kisan Babu Rao Hazare (Anna Hazare) started manoeuvring his aircraft to if we could find more Sabres. Alas, there survived enemy shelling, when his position himself behind them for a were none, so we came back to base. transport was hit and every occupant of gunshot. Like a good No. 2, I remained As we were approaching Halwara, the the vehicle perished. He was the lone stuck with him in position. After air traffic controller told us to proceed to survivor. manoeuvring, I found two Sabres did not Ambala. While approaching Ambala,

26 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 26-27-Wg Cdr Vinod Nebb_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:57 PM Page 2

1965 WAR

instructions were revised and we were have shot down a Sabre aircraft in any awarded a Vir Chakra in the history of the asked to return to base. By this time, it war. The words of my flight commander, IAF. During the ongoing war, Air Chief, was dark, and despite not being night D.S. Jog, once more reverberated in my Air Marshal Arjan Singh, flew in his qualified, I managed to land safely. When ear: ‘Do a job better than the best.’ Canberra aircraft to personally meet us I switched off the aircraft at the ORP, the Subsequently, I carried out many air and congratulate us. This was indeed a ground crew opened the Sabrina (which defence missions, but did not get a great morale booster as he was the one collects the empty shells), collected the chance to engage any enemy aircraft in who gave me my wings! Subsequently, empty shells and threw them up in the air combat. Every evening, we would the awards to the gallants were so that they came raining downon him, disperse the aircraft to far away bases to announced and I was awarded a Vir as if he had found a treasure. I was filled return early morning. This was primarily Chakra. The investiture ceremony was with a sense of satisfaction and to save our aircraft from night bombing held at Rashtrapati Bhawan, where the fulfilment, and till date, this memorable by the enemy. then president Dr Sarvepalli and adorable scene remains deeply One night, Pakistan conducted a Radhakrishnan pinned the medal on my etched in my mind. daring but foolish exercise, in that they chest and shook my hand! I felt that I had My commanding officer, Wing used a Hercules aircraft to para drop a made history. Truly memorable! Commander Clarke, picked me up in his special combat force to conduct a car and drove me toward the Base ground attack on Pathankot, Adampur Wing Commander Vinod Nebb was Operations Room. He had barely driven and Halwara Bases. Sqn Ldr S.K. Singh, a commissioned in the IAF in 1963. While 500 yards, when the station commander, ground duty officer, was in charge of in the IAF, he won many rocket and Group Captain G,K, John, stopped us and Halwara ground defence and security gunnery trophies. In 1971, during the made me come with him. When we and he led his men on the job of Bangladesh Liberation War, he was reached the Base Operations Room, I rounding up these invaders. With the awarded his second Vir Chakra. In 1988, gave him the full details of the sortie. He help of the civilians around the airfield, his flying career came to an abrupt end congratulated me for the mission he captured most of them alive, while the on medical grounds and he took accomplished and declared that I was the rest were killed in the encounter. He is premature retirement. He is settled in junior-most and the youngest pilot to the only ground duty officer to have been Gurgaon.

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 27 28-29-Dhruv C Katoch_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:56 PM Page 1

1965 WAR LESSONS FROM THE 1965 WAR

Maj Gen Dhruv C Katoch, SM, VSM

o war takes place in a imported from the US, and there were underperform, hollowness within the vacuum. There are myriad agitations taking place in the Services, especially in the Army and Air indicators strewn all over, coun-try, from the language agitation in Force is high, and we are today, the but the rhetoric of peace Tamil Nadu to insurgency in the worlds largest importers of defence N Northeast, a restive Punjab, agi-tating equipment. This opens up the country sometimes blinds decision makers to the possibility of conflict. Such indeed for Punjabi Suba and increased to foreign pressures and forced was the case in 1965. The hyperbole dissonance in Jammu and Kashmir, for compromises and is an aspect which that emanated from Pakistan in the a variety of reasons. Geopolitically, need to be urgently addressed. While early sixties was of such decibels that it Pakistan had all the major powers the present government is cognisant of should have set the alarm bells ringing aligned with it, or at lease not overtly and sensitive to the issues involved, and in South Block. A cursory look at the hostile to it. India, was not so the Prime Minister no less, has content of their media - both radio and fortunately placed. A perceived Indian embarked on an ambitious ‘Make in print should have caused India to sit up weakness was the trigger which led to India’ campaign, the road ahead is long and take notice, but for some war. Which brings home the second and arduous and will require dramatic unfathomable rea-son, war with lesson. A strong military is the best changes in the functioning of the Pakistan was never considered as a antidote to war. This again is a function Ministry of Defence and other organs of serious possibility. That represents the of capacity, capability and will. the government of India. first les-son of the 1965 war - both Politically, the lessons were well learnt A brief overview of the war makes it political and military. Pay easy to compartmentalise it heed to what the enemy is into various stages. Operations saying - and pre-pare in Kutch, in April 1965, accordingly. Today, when Operation Gibraltar, launched Pakistan talks of using nuclear by Pakistan in August, Grand weapons against India, it Slam launched by Pakistan on 1 cannot be construed as bluff September, and then the Indian and bluster. The antidote counter offensives on night 5/6 must be readied now, to September and 8 September, include signalling of resolve called Operations Riddle and and intent, as much as Nepal respectively. And to development of capacity and complete the picture, a coun-ter capability. launched by Pakistan in Khem Preparedness for war is a Karan - Operation Mailed Fist long drawn process. No on 8 September. nation is ever able to India was unfortunately maintain a hundred percent surprised at each stage. We were readiness rate. But the capacity to reach as India went in for a Treaty of Peace caught unaware at Kutch, which should that level within a set period of time and Friendship with the Soviet Union, have forced us to raise our guard. We must be aimed for. The early sixties which enabled India to successfully did not do so and were surprised again were a period of rejuvenation for pursue operations in East Pakistan in in J&K when thou-sands of infiltrators Pakistan. They were getting stronger 1971, leading eventually to the birth of crossed the ceasefire line (CFL) on 1 eco-nomically through beneficial Bangladesh. But militarily, the lessons, August, as part of Pakistan’s Operation alliances with the West, which led to the though known, are far from being Gibraltar. To add salt to our festering flow of great economic and military addressed. We still have a weak military wounds we were surprised yet again assistance. India was reeling from the industrial complex, the government run when Pakistan launched Grand Slam on 1962 debacle and internally, its research institutes and defence 1 September in Chhamb. Divine economy was poor, wheat was being production facilities continuously providence and incompetence of the

28 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 28-29-Dhruv C Katoch_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:56 PM Page 2

1965 WAR

Pakistan military prevented the fall of that both sides were fighting their own level, need to be reliable and foolproof. Akhnur, which lay exposed and was war, independent of each other, leading Preparation for war takes place during open to capture that very day itself. We to a lack of synergy in operations. This peace time and commanders need to were surprised for the fourth time with proved to be costly and constitutes yet hone their administrative skills to avoid the sudden appearance of Pakistan’s 1 another important lesson of the 1965 such lapses. Armoured Division in Kasur. This war - the necessity to bring forth the Finally, a word about leadership. At constituted serious drawbacks in our total combat power of a country against the tactical level, the leadership was external intelligence collection an adversary. We are still far from commendable. That con-tinues to be methodology, which persist till date. achieving that goal, despite mouthing the state today. At the operational level, The Army too, missed obvious signals platitudes on such issues. The aspect of the leadership exhibited was weak and and was repeatedly surprised. Serious integrating the Ministry of Defence and vacil-lating. Even today, the focus in the lacunae still exist in our intelligence set the three Service HQ though a Chief of military is not so much on winning the up, as reflected by Kargil in mid 1999. Defence Staff is repeatedly stressed, but war, as ensuring that we do not lose. A While efforts are being to made towards action on that front remains slow due to more offensive orientation in senior this end, much more needs to be done a host of factors, not least being military leadership is required. In 1965, towards integrating the efforts of resistance within the Ministry of we missed many opportunities to various agencies and introducing at Defence and the three Service HQ exploit success. XI Corps operations least some levels of accountability in themselves. This would require political could have exploited the suc-cess the system. will to pull through, much on the lines achieved in the opening stages of the The operational and tactical level of the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986, of offensive when Dograi was captured. also threw up a host of lessons which the United States. There were other fleeting opportunities have applicability today. Administratively, the field army was during the war which were not seized. Foremost is the need to be mentally ill prepared for war. It seem surprising The biggest failure in offensive opera- and physically prepared for war. In that units and formations went into tions was however the stalling of 1 1965, there was a feeling which existed battle, including the famous 1 Corps operations on 8 September. throughout the field army, that there Armoured Division, without adequate Boldness shown on that day could have would be no war. Despite Kutch, maps of the area. These were peace led to the defeat of the Pakistan army, despite Gibral-tar, despite Grand Slam, time issues which unfortunately were but the momentum was allowed to units on the ground were not sure not addressed. It continues to be India’s lapse due to faulty appreciation of whether they would actually go to war Achilles heel even today as our ground realities. That opportunity was or not. This constitutes a very serious experience of Operation Pawan and not to come again. Herein lies the failure of command, especially at the other out of area con-tingencies shows. challenge for the Armed Forces. While level of brigade and above. Ultimately, The Survey of India comes under the we continue to produce outstanding when units were pushed into battle, Ministry of Science and Technology, tactical commanders, very few come up they were not mentally prepared for and much greater integration is to the level of acumen as displayed by Lt war. The imperatives for secrecy were required in its functioning with the Gen. Sagat Singh in 1971. That needs to such that troops which went into battle armed forces. The Armed Forces too, change. on the first day, on night 5/6 September, need to be more proactive in projecting went in hopelessly unprepared, lacking their demands well in time. Overall, the fighting spirit of the briefing and a clear concept of what was It also seems surprising that troops Armed Forces is something which the expected of them. The enemy was went into battle in the plains without nation can be proud off. But we would certainly surprised, but the advantage anti tank weapons. The 106 mm anti do well to remember, that going to war was frittered away in a lack of direction tank gun was made available to troops is a complete national effort. The - a result of commanders at division of 4 Infantry Division only on 7 wherewithal to fight long drawn out level and below, not being clear about September 1965. Why this was not done battles must come from within the their tasks or the end state objectives to in the months leading up to the war country, which means that we have to be achieved. It however redounds to the indicates severe administrative lapses con-centrate on building capacities, credit of the units and formations that at senior levels of command. capabilities and skills. These are long they still performed creditably, despite Communication equipment was also term efforts, but only through such the limitations faced by them. deficient/ unreliable, which seriously proficiency will we be in a position to The 1965 war was fought in silos, impacted the conduct of operations. A prosecute and win wars. Most with no worthwhile integration taking lot of these deficiencies stand rectified importantly, the existence of military place in operational plans between the today, but it needs to be emphasised capability, remains the best antidote to Army and the Air Force. It was apparent that communications at the ground war.

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 29 30-33_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:56 PM Page 1

1965 WAR

THE FRONTIER FORCES AND HARI SINGH OF BUNDI A PEEP INTO THE ARMY OF YORE

Brig Onkar S Goraya

He was seated on his pedal cycle, with moved to the front. There was still a one leg on the ground. After learning chance to make it to the cinema hall, so about us from the mess havaldar he we quickly downed the drink brought called us outside. On seeing him friend for us and made to go. Pombra disappeared through the back “Sorry, no one leaves the mess of 5/5 door. Being an insider he must have GR with only one drink in the belly.” guessed what the immediate future We sipped the second drink and held in store for us. The 2IC was in civil again begged leave but it was refused dress - shirt and trousers without a tie, point blank.There were more lessons on just like us. Without returning our polite the way to complete our education on compliments he fired off, the Frontier Forces.By now our host had ot even old timers with “Do you know this is the Mess of 5/5 shed his officious shell and was all long years in uniform GR (FF)? Even I, the PMC (President amity and charm. On his order, a big can claim to know all the Mess Committee), do not enter the bowl of pure silver was placed on a table odd things that go by the mess without a tie. How dare you?” and two bottles of Scotch whisky name of ‘traditions’ in Our pleas of ignorance and apologies poured into it. We were promised Nthe Army. Then how could I, a young were summarily ignored. Instead a freedom only after the bowl was empty, captain with less than five years of discourse followed on the customs and the host agreeing to lend a helping service? traditions of the famous ‘Frontier hand. He explained the rules of the Hardly had the dust settled on the Forces’ (FF). “Do you know that we are game. No water and no soda, and the salt pans of Rann of Kutch after the brief the only Regiment that wears the brass bowl not to be touched except with the skirmish in April 1965, when Pakistan buckles on the web belt three fingers lips. Soon all four were on the knees, sounded the war bugle again in away from the centre front?” How could like three kittens and a mother cat Kashmir valley. My formation (6 we? To drive home the precious sipping milk. The kittens worked hard. Mountain Division) was ordered to information he called one of Finally the bottom appeared at about move to J&K. We had to make a staging thekanchas in uniform and showed us midnight. Bleary eyed and sleepy, halt at Ambala and our convoy reached by measuring the distance with his somehow we zigzagged to our billets Ambala Cantonment on a hot muggy fingers. with empty stomach and unused August afternoon. Having found Duly awed by the high traditions, cinema tickets in hand. On the way we sleeping quarters for the night, two cinema tickets in hand we begged for were singing “Hari Singh of Bundi”, and junior colleagues and I decided to go for leave but there was no way. “Long Live The Frontier Forces!” while an evening movie. After managing “How can a guest leave the Mess of our hands kept adjusting the imaginary tickets we walked into an officers’ mess 5/5 GR (FF) without a drink?” belt buckle in keeping with the tradition nearby, to sign up for dinner after the He ordered scotch for all, to be of ‘The Frontier Forces’. movie. This unit, a battalion of the Fifth served on the lawn. While awaiting that Gorkha Rifles had moved to its assigned he educated us on his name and A Gunner to the core, Brig Onkar operational area but the mess was lineage. Singh Goraya was commissioned functional. Lt Pombra of this unit, my “I am Major Hari Singh from the in1960, and retired in 1993 after junior in NDA by a year or so recognised royal family of Bundi, a famous state in serving in various command and staff me, welcomed us into the anteroom Rajasthan. My ancestors were great appointments. A veteran of the 1962, and showed us the historic artefacts on warriors!” 1965 and 1971 wars, he also played an display with great regimental pride. At this time, however, all we were important role during Operation Blue While we were signing the visitors’ interested in was getting to the movie Star. He has published two books, book as per protocol, the mess havaldar on time. We anxiously looked at our “Operation Blue Star and After” and was called outside to the porch by the watches and wondered why this great “Leap Across Meghna- Blitzkreig of 4 second in command of the battalion. warrior was here, when his unit had Corps 1971”.

30 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 30-33_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:56 PM Page 2

1965 WAR SOLDIER OF FORTUNE (THE UNTOLD SPECIAL FORCES STORY) Col Subin Balakrishnan

here is inevitably a strange, unit was starting out, but could hit target Sengar was no pushover, who would, almost laboured disconnect only in an hour. Sengar quickly realised or could be tied down to a hospital bed. between the urgent, that with a short detour, he could be at He was up and about in 45 days. He read distinctive ‘pop’ of the the target in 20 minutes. Saving 40 books on his condition called colostomy speeding bullet as it whizzes minutes could mean the difference and realised that psychological recovery Tpast you and the apparently languid, between success and failure. A flurry of was as important as the medical one. disarmingly slow movement of those messages later, Sengar had convinced That’s what he needed to know and he around you. A sardonic, yet glowing the battalion HQ that he and his escort started doing what was in his reach - affirmation of Einstein’s theory of team were best positioned to get there whether strict army hospital rules relativity, if you will. Those who have and initiate contact with the militants allowed or not. Sneaking out of the been in active combat and had the before they disappeared. The QRT could hospital, hobbling along to the theatres privilege of being fired at, would know. follow up, later. Now, escort teams are to watch practically every movie worth Deependra Singh Sengar surely did. usually a rag tag team of whoever is watching - and some which didn’t fit More than just a couple of times. But let available, put together to stay within even that bill. 60 days on from that fateful me rewind just a little bit. bounds of the directions imposed by the day, a unit officer was getting married. A day after Valentine’s Day, 1998. brigade HQ. Fully kitted out, sure – Sengar, attired in a lungi and a kurta (he Sengar had just been received at the weapons, ammunition, secured couldn’t wear anything else – the scars Guwahati airport by the unit’s escort communication, the works. But still, were still raw), with tubes and bags (If team. At 5’6” and 52 kgs in weight, you certainly not the first choice of guys for you must know - A colostomy bag) could easily mistake him for the average going into combat with. But that didn’t practically but immodestly hanging out postgraduate student at Guwahati deter Sengar. He swung in, picked up the of his modest frame, hired a car and University. A white tee, regulation spotter and hit the target in 20 minutes, travelled 5 hours one way, halfway to denims & sneakers. No shades though – as planned. A short, sharp exchange of Dehradun. “Huh? To attend a fricking He scarcely had the time, inclination or fire ensued. 2 reds down, 3 had fled. It is marriage??!!!???” Well, consider yourself the tolerance for show biz. His travel then that Sengar realised he had been hit. forgiven, because Sengar wasn’t the type clothes reflected his persona. Practical Two bullets had pierced through his who’d let anything – certainly not 25 and as unassuming as unassuming could abdomen, making a clean, almost grams worth of random molten lead that get. Sengar was re-joining the unit in unnoticeable entry in the front and a burnt independent, solitary furrows active operations in the Northeast, after classic, disproportionate exit wound in through his intestines come in the way of weeks of pleading, screaming and his back. What they call in the medical having the pleasure of seeing one of his struggling against the orders of Col Ivan world, rather disparagingly, a ‘clean’ shot. mates being led, willingly to the gallows! Crasto, the Commanding Officer, to man The rest was a blur. The flurry of the Sengar hated hospitals. Much to the the administrative rear echelon of the evacuation process. Hand carried, on deep dismay of a bevy of nurses there. He unit in a cosy, sleepy town in Himachal four wheel drive and by chopper. was back in the unit by early May, 98. The Pradesh. That is who he was – a man of Through the local hospital in the docs, fed up with his constant action. And men of action, as you would neighbourhood, and then to the Base supplications to be released, grudgingly know, abhor routine administration. Hospital at Guwahati. The long, tore down the baneful baggage of The first message he overheard, 15 unending line of surgeries commenced. precedence, and allowed him to get back minutes into the drive, on the secured From specialist to super specialist. Cut, to the unit, with the solemn promise that communication radio link was garbled. sew and cut again. At the end of about 15 he would not exert himself, and stay 5-6 senior militant leaders in a house, days of chopping and pasting, the docs confined to the battalion HQ (chuckle armed with automatics, pin point were confident of partial recovery in a chuckle). Now, that is a tad difficult for location, high credibility of info, apparent time frame of about 18-24 months. A someone who was called “Rocket” by the transit profile, likely to move out soon. miracle, they called it. But then, they junior officers - Sengar was the recipient The Quick Reaction Team (QRT) from the hadn’t seen miracles - as yet. of the coveted "Dagger" on the

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 31 30-33_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:56 PM Page 3

1965 WAR

Commando Course, the one who was the undisputed King of the different competitive runs in a battalion, known for having amongst the most physically fit officers and men. Around this time, a training exercise was being conducted in the eastern sector and Sengar saw a chance to prove his fitness. He pleaded with Col Crasto to be allowed to get there, to ‘man the telephone’. I was not present there during his pleadings, but I can almost visualise Col Crasto’s plight. Once Sengar started with his requests, he stayed at it, wearing down his ‘enemy’ with nauseatingly nagging perseverance. Crasto finally caved in after Sengar was able to convince the doctors to pronounce him “fit” for active duty. He pleaded, he struggled, he nagged, he nudged, he begged, he threatened, and he resorted to blatant emotional blackmail of the vilest means known. Sengar had amazingly, defying every single precedent of recorded medical recovery in cases similar to his, convinced the docs to upgrade his medical category to SHAPE1. In the middle of the exercise, news broke about the Kargil conflict and the unit was to airlift a team for the Kargil war. Sengar was back to doing what he loved best - back to action, leading a team. He led his team to capture Neelam post in the Kargil war which was the highest post captured in the whole engagement by the Indian Army. By helicopter, who had coincidentally well-intentioned butchers with medical August 99, officially, the Kargil war was touched down at a helipad in the degrees and lovely, disarmingly pretty over, but escalated engagements along divisional HQ, while this fire fight was nurses. Only this time, it was more the LOC still required the unit to stay in going on. He learnt of Sengar having serious than the first. To cut (sic) a long the area. And Sengar’s team was in the been hit, and without waiting for story short, he survived. Barely. He was middle of action – again. authorisation, violating every rule in the transferred to Delhi’s super specialty In September 99, Sengar was hit again. book, flew in, landed at a hastily secured Army Hospital two months later and it A violent fire fight with a group of freshly patch at the base of the hill feature and was then that his parents were brought to inducted militants. A burst of fire from an evacuated Sengar to the hospital through Delhi and the news broken. All this while AK-47 tore through his upper thigh and a route not allowed for Indian aircraft - all he was told that he would recover and be hip. The story of that encounter is fitting this to save some time to reach hospital; back in action in a short time. It took him enough for another chapter or two, but to increase chances of survival for Sengar another month to finally learn from the let me stick to Sengar for now. Bleeding who was losing blood despite the best docs their verdict – He would never walk profusely and his hip bone in tatters, we possible patch up by the soldiers of his again. This was a body blow even for a knew if we didn’t evacuate him in time, team during the firefight. From the time man with the kind of resilience and we’d lose him. The sub plot to this story is he was hit, Sengar reached hospital in 45 strength of character as Sengar. He of a paratrooper in the divisional HQ, a minutes. A couple of more minutes of decided to quit the Army. He had no chopper pilot, who was on a routine delay, and he would have been history. interest in serving in those fabulous Olive training mission, flying a Cheetah Back to the ‘cut n sew’ story; of gentle, Greens, consigned to peddling files at the

32 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 30-33_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:56 PM Page 4

1965 WAR

and take notes didn’t bother him one bit. He laboured on stoically - eleven months of excruciatingly painful days and long, midnight oil nights. Sengar took the exam in Dec 2000. Based on his results, he got a call from 15 of the 16 B schools he had applied to - IIM (A), IIM (B), IIM (C), IIM (L) .... A veritable who’s who of the B school list. Even topping a few. Four days after he hung up his beloved Olive Greens, he got married (Frying pan to the Fire). Eight days later, he joined the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. Two brilliant years of number crunching analysis later, Sengar graduated; on crutches, with distinction. Today, Sengar is a top notch senior management professional with Microsoft, in Singapore. A doting wife, two wonderful kids. If you thought that’s the update on this brilliant story of incredible proportions, wait. Because, there is one final flourish. After over ten long years on crutches, he decided he had had enough. He chucked his crutches into a corner against medical advice and decided to rough it out. Slowly, and with tremendous perseverance, he started walking. In under a year, he was going for short jogs. In September 2013, on a trip to India, he decided to revisit the unit. He got in touch with the Commanding Officer, who invited him to go for a run with the back end. Once he had waded through analysis, he identified that his analytical unit in the standard Battle Physical the rivers of emotion, which lasted all of skills weren’t what they once were, dulled Efficiency Test - with loaded backpack 24 hours, he decided to take charge of his by constant exposure to the high life – and a weapon. And Sengar did. apparently fragile destiny, determined to gunpowder, standard issue army rations, The ‘Rocket’ had returned. To a hero’s chart out its fresh course, held firmly by and the scum of the earth called welcome. its proverbial horns. militants. Not necessarily in that order. Sengar started aggressively So, he decided to take on the mean ask of Col Subin Balakrishnan is a veteran researching options of an alternate conquering Arithmophobia – his Special Forces soldier, who served in 21 career path. He was 30, single and had paranoia of numbers. He got hold of all Para SF across multiple operational the energy of a bull - or three. It didn’t the math books available and diligently theatres for most of his military career. take him long to realise that he needed to went through them - NCERT, class four to He went on to command a Rashtriya tame the beast called ‘CAT’ - the class 12. For starters, a class eighth Rifles battalion in Kashmir in intense Common Admission Test, to take a shot student – son of his physiotherapist, Counter Terrorist operations, and finally at passing through the portals of the helped him. He then enrolled for classes. the Embarkation HQs in Mumbai. premier business schools. So he did. Minor hiccups like the fact that he had to Having sought premature retirement He went about diligently identifying be carried from his hospital bed to the from the Indian Army, he now leads a the best coaching classes in the business car, or the fact that they had to make strategic entity in the Global Corporate of preparing for the exams, 11 months special provision for him at the classes, Security group of a fortune 500 away. In this process, as he did a SWOT so he could recline on an ad hoc chair company in Mumbai, India.

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 33 34-35-News_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:31 PM Page 1

NEWS NCC GIRLS PRE-EVEREST EXPEDITION TO MT TRISHUL

NCC Girl Cadets and three officers. It willattempt to scale the Peak from 17 Sep to 22 Sep 2015. These 15 girls were selected form the group of 35 that had scaled the 6100m high Mt Deo-Tibba in the Pir Panjal range earlier in June this year. From this lot, ten girls will be selected to scale Mount Everest in 2016. Trishul massif, located in Nanda Devi Sanctuary in Western Kumaon Region of Uttarakhand, about 15 km southwest of Nanda Deviis a group of three Himalayan peaks, resembling the trident weapon of Lord Shiva. The main peak, Trishul I,at 7120m is the highest of the three. It can be approached from the northeast, through the Rishi Ganga gorge The NCC Girls Expedition toTrishul 1 was flagged-off by Lt Gen A entering the inner sphere of NandaDevi sanctuary. Alternately, Chakravarty, VSM, Director General National Cadets Corps from thewestern route through village Ghat, which is technically New Delhi. The team led by Col Gaurav Karki, comprises of 15 difficult and physically demanding can be used.

HOWITZER SALE ON FAST TRACK

The Ministry of Defence, Government of India and the Pentagon, are reportedly fast tracking the sale of 145 M777 Howitzers to India, through the Foreign Military Sale route, following earlier delays to the acquisition. The guns, manufactured by BAE Systems, come with a revised price tag of USD 700 million. Offsets with Indian firms are estimated to cover about 30 percent of the contracts value. The M777 ultra-lightweight towed 155mm howitzer has an integrated digital fire control system and can fire all existing 155mm projectiles. Use of advanced titanium and aluminium alloys, has led to reduced weight of the gun, which at about 4000 kg, allows for carriage by medium lift helicopters, and also enables airdrop by C-130 aircraft, making it a force multiplier in mountainous regions.

34 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 34-35-News_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:31 PM Page 2

NEWS

INFILTRATION BID FOILED BY 36 RR In the early hours of 18 September, 2015, troops of 36 RR, deployed on the Line of Control (LOC), intercepted a group of terrorists attempting to sneak into India. The terrorists were encountered in total darkness, near Nowshera Nar in Kanzalwan area of Gurez, just as they crossed the LOC. An intense gunfight ensued, in which two terrorists were eliminated and the remainder took cover in the rocks and bushes. The operations continued by day and by late afternoon, three more terrorists were gunned down, bringing the total to five. A huge cache of arms and ammunition were recovered, to include five AK- 47 rifles, 1 RPG and 1 UBGL. The Army has been on a high state of alert for a very long period of time. This follows Pakistan’s desperate attempts to infiltrate terrorists into India to vitiate the peace that has come into the state over the last few years. This desperation is increasing, as with the onset of winter, the passes will close, making infiltration much more difficult. Credible reports state that over 200 terrorists are waiting on the launch pads in POK, for infiltration. This year has already seen 13 attempts to infiltrate terrorists from North Kashmir, in which 28 terrorists were eliminated. The previous year saw 59 terrorists being killed during infiltration. The swift action by the Army, firstly in intercepting the terrorists, and then in systematically eliminating troops, reflects the high state of morale and operational readiness them, without any collateral damage and with no casualty to own of our forces deployed along the LOC

ALL TERRAIN HEAVY MOBILITY VEHICLES FOR THE ARMY

and are fitted with 380 HP engine. As per the vice president of the company, Mr VS Noronha, these vehicles will be manufactured at their Jamshedpur facility and the company would aim for 95 percent indigenisation within two years.Earlier, for the last 20 years, the Indian Army hasbeen importing The first lot of all terrain heavy mobility 40 vehicles being delivered by December. and assembling 6x6 and 8x8 vehicles from vehicles will be delivered to the defence These vehicles are fitted with material Czechoslovakia. With the Centre opening up forces by December by Tata Motors. The handling cranes for loading and unloading competition to the indigenousplayers, Tata company, which won a Rs 900 crore order of stores, weapons, ammunition and others motors won the contract, its bid being Rs for over 1,200 all terrain '6x6' heavy and will form the backbone of forward 20 lakh lower than the competition. The mobility vehicles, will deliver the same over logistics chain of the Indian army. They benefit of ‘Make in India’, thus ultimately the next two years, with the first tranche of have high mobility and far higher pay loads goes to the Indian Army.

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 35 36-37-Nei-raisina_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:55 PM Page 1

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

The UNP won 11 of the 22 electoral districts, with the UPFA winning eight electoral districts. The remaining three predominantly Tamil districts of Jaffna, Vanni and Batticaloa South were won by the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK)-led Tamil National Alliance (TNA). In Sri Lanka’s electoral system, 196 out of the 225 parliament membersare elected through proportional representation system from 22 electoral districts. Each party is allocated a number of seats from the quota assigned to the district in proportion to votes secured by the party. The balance of 29 seats known as national list are allotted to parties according to the country-wide proportional votes they obtain in the PAKISTAN militants. They however lost Captain election. Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe has Asfandyar Bokhari, a Sword of Honour been sworn in as the Prime Minister, and Militants, reportedly belonging to a winner at the Pakistan Military Academy, he has formed an all party government to splinter group of the Tehrik-i-Taliban and five more people, while trying to include the UPFA. Pakistan (TTP), stormed the Pakistan Air eliminate the militants. This included The elections have sidelined former Force Camp in Badaber on 18 September three PAF technicians, who were President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who had 2015, killing twenty-nine persons. The deployed at the guardroom when the been fielded as the Prime Ministerial camp, used for accommodation of PAF attack occurred. As many as 25 other candidate by the UPFA. Having lost the officers and other ranks, is located on the personnel were injured in the attack. Presidential elections earlier to his party Inqilab road, near the Surizai village in colleague Maithripala Sirisena, this the limits of the Badaber Police Station. represents the second defeat of the This has been the biggest attack in SRI LANKA former Sri Lankan strongman, whose Pakistan after the one on the Army Public political influence now stands reduced, School on December 16, 2014 in which Sri Lanka’s United National Party (UNP) though his political base among the 147 people, including 122 led coalition narrowly won the conservative Buddhist nationalist schoolchildren, were killed. parliamentary elections, defeating the southern Sinhalas appears to be largely According to Maj. Gen. Asim Saleem United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA). intact. Bajwa, Director General of the Inter- Services Public Relations (ISPR),13 militants, armed with rocket-launchers, hand-grenades and automatic weapons, and putting on the uniform of Frontier Constabulary, dismounted from their vehicle at 5 am, near the gates of the base. Using rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and automatic rifle fire to breach the gates, they split into two groups, with eight militants heading towards the administrative area of the base while the other group headed towards the technical area. The former group killed 16 worshippers present inside a mosque and the latter killed seven PAF personnel inside their barracks. The quick reaction force (QRF) of Pakistan, army commandoes and local PAF troops managed to kill all 13

36 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 36-37-Nei-raisina_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:55 PM Page 2

RAISINA HILLS

DEALING WITH PAK’S Another step reflecting New Delhi’s recent assertiveness on Pak-India relations, is the suspension of the 9 PROVOCATIONS ON THE BORDER months short term passport issued to the senior most separatist, rather, traitor/ financer/organizer of Pak-sponsored anti-India terrorism, Syed Ali Shah Geelani. While this passport was issued to him on humanitarian grounds, he is reported to have accepted an invitation from the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) to participate in a meeting scheduled to be held in New York on September 27. Besides Geelani, two more Kashmiri separatist leaders, LOC with Pakistan and India’s response. including Mirwaiz Umar Farooq have Following that meeting, Mr. Jaishankar reportedly also received invitations to Lt Col Anil Bhat said that while India remained committed participate in the OIC meeting. It may to ensuring peace and tranquillity on the also be advisable for the Government to border, “there should be no doubt that prevent any of these from attending this ven as Home Minister Rajnath any unprovoked firing from the Pakistani meet. Not that their presence at this meet Singh told a team of Pakistan side would meet with an effective and will make any difference, but considering ERangers headed by Maj. Gen. Umar forceful response from our forces. Nor will the fact that they and their ilk have been Farooq Burki on 11 September 2015, we let down our guard against infiltration on their long anti-India spree and that too stating "India wants friendly relation and cross-border terrorism.” with their five-star bills being paid by the withPakistan and will never fire the first Recent good news from J&K was that at taxpayer, it is high time they are taught bullet," the same rangers were firing long last, the state government got their long overdue lessons. automatics andmortars across the pushed into arresting Asiya Andarabi,the As far as Pak army’s leadership is International Border (IB) in south Jammu head of Dukhtaran-e-Millat (Daughters of concerned, not much seems to have & Kashmir (J&K). MeanwhilePak army has the Faith) for waving/honouring Pakistani changed since Pakistan’s second war been desperately inducting flags and addressing Hafiz waged against India in 1965, the 50th terrorists, trained and Sayed’s meet by anniversary of which is being observed supported by it across the telephone. In an interview befittingly in India. Pakistan’s military Line of Control (LOC), into of hers, published in the leaders still seriously suffer from parts of Kashmir valley. 14 August ’15 issue of delusions as their predecessors did in While responses to both by Outlook, she 1965 and again in 1971. The only Indian Army and Border stated:“Inshallah, Kashmir dangerous difference now is that Pakistan Security Force (BSF) have will become a part of possesses too many nukes. A comment in been swift and severe, it is Pakistan….. I don't believe a Rediff.com article by Colonel Anil A quite obvious thatPakistan in Kashmiriyat, I don't Athale (retd) is noteworthy: “Pakistan is is in no mood to relent. believe in nationalism. I yet to imbibe this basic truth of the Also, Pakistan seems to be believe that there are just nuclear age. The worrying aspect is the compelled to keep the pot two nations -Muslims and remark by an American who regularly boiling both across the IB non-Muslims. I am a deals with Pakistani military officers. Even and the LoC and trying to Muslim; I am least their senior officers are delusional, the build its case that it is India which is doing bothered whether I will be called a American said, unaware of the reality and so-a very classic Pakistani ploy. Kashmiri. I'm Andrabi, I'm from the Syed live in a bubble. Indian policies of the last In July this year Home Minister dynasty. I'm not actually Kashmiri, I'm ten years are responsible for this as the Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Arab, my ancestors had come from Arabia peace lobby ignored Pakistan's bad Sushma Swaraj, Defence Minister to Central Asia.I believe in Islamic behaviour. Contrary to the 'moralistic' Manohar Parrikar, National Security nationalism”. In view of such statements, tone and stance, this has endangered Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S it may be advisable to keep her behind peace and could in future bring on a Jaishankar held a meeting in the Home bars as she may be an ideal catch for the nuclear catastrophe due to Ministry to review the situation along the ISIS. miscalculation”.

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 37 38-baldev_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:34 PM Page 1

VETERANS ALERT

Payment on basis of PPOs issued under Project Sangam revision pension of Pre-06 pensioner: Clarification thereof

Hony Capt Baldev Singh

Consequent upon issuance of in the Sangam PPO. Corrigendum PPO revising pension of A. Payment of the same should be made Pre-2006 defence pensioners under according to the PPO issued separately, Project “Sangam”, representations in which disability element is notified or fromthe pensioners received and seeking on the basis of circulars issued in the some clarification or bringing out some matter. inconsistencies. Sangam Project PPOs were issued with the prefix S/CORR/6th Q6. War Injury Pension (WIP): PPO for CPC/ for JCOs/OR, M/CORR/6th CPC/ WIP has been issued under series for Indian Commissioned Officers and “D/B/---“ and “S/---“ series PPO C/CORR/6th CPC/ for Defence Civilians. issued earlier in the case has been mentioned therein as held in Various points/issues raised have been abeyance. However, Sangam PPO has examined, based on which following been issued w.r.t said “S/---“series clarifications are issued: PPO. A. In such cases Sangam PPO may not be Q1. PDA is making payment of acted upon and reference may be made pension, based on corrigendum PPOs as per Annexure-1 to PCDA(P) for issued for implementing examining the case. courtjudgments like havildar granted honorary naib subedar, group change Q7. NC(E) Rank case. etc which is higher than the pension A. Such Sangam PPO should not be acted amount indicated in the Sangam PPO. upon. A. If Sangam Corrigendum PPO is found to be for a rank or a group lower than the Corr PPOs notified at higher rate. Q8. Post 2006 cases. rank or a group for which court order has A. Compare rank, group, and qualifying A. Such Sangam PPO should not be acted already been implemented, such service from your record and that upon. However, return the PPO to the Sangam PPO should not be acted mentioned in the Sangam PPO. If there is OI/C,Sangam Cell,c/o The PCDA (P), upon.Instead, please forward the a difference, such Sangam PPOs should Allahabad for cancellation of record. necessary information as prescribed in not be acted upon. Instead, please Annexure-1 duly endorsed by PDA, to forward the necessary information as Q9. ServicePension/Family Pension PCDA (P), Allahabad for checking and prescribed in Annexure-1, duly endorsed notified, whereas either pensioner/ issue or corrigendum PPO. by PDA, to PCDA (P) Allahabad for family pensioner died. checking and issue of Corr PPO. A. Act upon the Sangam PPO for live Q2. Reservist pension notified as a pension, if basic particulars are correct. sepoy or notified more than Rs 3500/- Q4. Pension notified is more than pm wef 01.01.2006 or 01.07.2009 or being paid by the PDA on the basis of Q10. Any other observation. 24.09.2012. earlier Corr PPOs notified at lower rate. A. If for any other reason Sangam PPO is A. Such Sangam PPOs should not be A. If rank/group/QS indicated in the not acted upon, the same should also be acted upon. Instead, please forward the Sangam PPOs is higher than that in intimated as per details in the Annexure- necessary information as prescribed in record of the PDA, then Sangam PPO 1. If any variation as envisaged above is Annexure-1 of PCDA Pension, Allahabad should be acted upon & higher amount noticed, the matter may be referred duly circular No. 181 dated 21.08.2015 duly notified may be paid. PDA should also filled up in the Annexure-1, to Shri Ram Ji endorsed by PDA, to PCDA (P), complete Annexure-1 indicating Mishra, Officer-in-Charge, Sangam Cell Allahabad for checking and issue of pensioner’s particulars as is entered in of PCDA(P), Allahabad or at their e-mail corrigendum PPO. their record and forward it to PCDA(P) ID [email protected] for re-verification. Q3. Pension notified is less than being PCDA(P) Allahabad Circular No 181 paid by the PDA on the basis of earlier Q5. Disability Element is not notified dated 21.08.2015 refers.

38 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 39-Book_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:36 PM Page 1

BOOK REVIEW A JOURNEY THROUGH TIME Maj Gen Dhruv C Katoch, SM, VSM

Soldiers for the most part have a penchant to write about the wars and conflicts they fought and to the events that they were witness to. Books in this genre, such as William Slim’s ‘Defeat into Victory’ or Brig. Dalvi’s ‘Himalayan Blunder’ give great insight into what happened at that time and indeed have a special niche and pride of place all their own. But once in a while, a soldier picks up the pen to write about his time in the army, while donning the uniform, and in the process, paints a beautiful landscape, stretching through the decades, depicting in vivid imagery, the life and times of a generation that has passed gently into the sunset. This autobiographical account by Lt Gen. Baljit Singh is one such story, told by a man who loves sports, adventure and the wide open spaces and who has the uncanny ability to wield a pen as deftly as he wielded the gun. The General’s story starts in the early fifties, when he was commissioned into the Artillery Regiment. His mother, who was standing at the porch to receive him, just could not believe that he was an officer now, and would be drawing a princely salary of four hundred and fifty rupees every month. Such indeed were those times, when an officer walking in uniform, would be looked at in hushed respectful admiration. The early years were full of fun and adventure, where the author as a young man could indulge his passion for travel, trekking, hunting and mountaineering. His account of meeting Brig. Pritam Singh, who was FROM MY MEMORY VAULT then the Brigadier Artillery in HQ Southern Command, is riveting, BY bringing into sharp focus, how propriety and ethical conduct can leave a lasting impression on a subalterns mind. LT GEN BALJIT SINGH, AVSM, It is the small things that leave the deepest impressions. His fairy tale VSM romance and marriage to Chappu, to whom he has dedicated this book, brings out both the pangs of separation and the joys of being together once again. It is a life which could well be made into a blockbuster Published by Alpha Editions, Bollywood movie, intermingling as it does from life in remote areas, living 2/19 Ansari Road, New Delhi in simple hutments to the more refined spaces of the Flag Staff house Price Rs 750/- Hard Cover while in command. The description of people, places and events is by itself a love story - for the author was certainly also in love with nature and with the environment - a passion he still exudes. Told with disarming candour and honestly, it is a journey through time, which leaves one pining for an era gone by. It provides an insight into a world, where deprivations are faced with a smile and camaraderie and friendship is the sine quo non of unit life. There are aberrations too, where some people have not faced up to the standard expected of them, but these are few and far between, and by not glossing over them, the author has added great value to the book. This book above all, is a rendition of a story, which showcases the world of the soldier and his family in a manner that brings out the charm and romance of Army life. And it very simply answers the question why our Army is so special. It is because we have leaders, who are a cut above the rest. A wonderful book which is unputdownable - and must be read by the younger generation.

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 39 40-cookery_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:37 PM Page 1

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE PESTO PASTA A Delicious all time Italian Favourite Dish

Aditi Pathak

Pesto is a sauce originating in Genoa in To check your spaghetti, take a strand the Liguria region of northern Italy (pesto Place the roasted almonds and garlic to see if it's done. I like mine just a tad bit alla genovese), and traditionally consists in the bowl of the food processor and more well done so I leave mine to cook of crushed garlic, basil, and European process for 15 seconds. Now add the basil just a little bit longer. Once ready, drain pine nuts blended with olive oil, leaves, salt, lemon rind and some lemon all the water and add to your mixing dish. Parmigiano-Reggiano (Parmesan juice. With the processor running, slowly Add the pesto and mix well. Voila! Your cheese), and Fiore Sardo (cheese made add the olive oil. Blend together till you pasta is ready. from sheep's milk). The dish below is an get a rough paste. Your pesto is ready! To serve, top spaghetti with some all time favourite of mine. With bursts of Simple, isn’t it! Use right away or store the olives and basil leaves or even some flavour, this simple dish is just perfect for pesto in the refrigerator or freezer with a cherry tomatoes and a dash of Olive oil if a light lunch or a ladies get-together! thin film of olive oil on top. you like! Its traditional to garnish with So, Let’s get started grated Parmesan cheese so that's For Pasta: another option too! Ingredients for Pesto Sauce: I'm using spaghetti but you can go ahead • Basil (Tulsi) one bunch and try other pasta varieties like Penne or Enjoy your lunch! • One clove garlic Fusilli! • 1/2 cup roasted Almonds (roast Get the spaghetti cooking in boiling in a pan for a few minutes) water. Add some salt as this will season Ms Aditi Pathak Is based in • 1 lemon the pasta as it cooks! Do add a dash of oil Singapore. Widely travelled and from a • Salt to taste and stir the pasta occasionally to ensure Services background, cooking is one of • 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive oil it does not stick. her many passions.

40 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 41-Murad_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:38 PM Page 1

LEISURE & LIFESTYLE DEATH ON INDIAN ROADS Murad Ali Baig mobile phones, etc. Speeding is the Motor Vehicles Act is a nominal Rs. 1000 second most important cause of crashes. for driving without a car license. This is a Few people know that even at 50 kph, a very serious offence in most countries In July, 2014, when Malaysian airlines driver normally needs 20 meters before and should attract very heavy fines and Flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine he can react and press the brakes and that jail in India as well. The parents of killing all 297 people on board, the world at 80 kph he needs 35 meters. So even delinquent children should also be was rightly shocked. Now imagine, if two with good ABS brakes, speed seriously heavily fined. The vehicle licensing by the such jets were to crash in India every day! impacts on safety. state Road Transport Authorities (RTO) is Obviously, the government would be Drunk driving is the third greatest also a joke. Despite computerisation and jerked into taking drastic remedial action. driving hazard. Alcohol not only induces finger print recording, anyone can That is the amount of deaths that take recklessness, but reduces driver reaction quickly get driving licenses through place on Indian roads every day. time. Strict breathalyser tests in Europe, obliging touts for a small fee. Having a According to a WHO report of 2013, America and other developed countries license confiscated is thus no hardship. 2,43,000 people lost their lives in road have greatly reduced this hazard. Driver As with the banks, the computers at all accidents in India in 2010! The highest in fatigue is another big killer and truck and RTO’s should be linked so that no the world! It’s magnitude is like a bus drivers abroad are not allowed to applicant can get a replacement license Hiroshima bomb being exploded on drive more than eight hours at a time. from some other RTO. Indian roads every year. Also, for every Many vehicles have two drivers to drive Upgrading obsolete traffic laws is death on Indian roads, about two others turn by turn. Vehicle fitness concerning important but even more vital is the are seriously injured. On a urgent need to have a rough average every death system to implement or serious injury costs them. The traffic police are about Rs. 500,000 in too few and too often vehicular damage, medical diverted to VIP or other costs, collateral damage, duties. If road safety is to loss of livelihood, etc. Thus be taken seriously, India 750,000 casualtiescost the will need ten times the nation roughly Rs. 35,500 number of traffic police, crore each year. A empowered with radar staggering loss indeed! guns, CCTV cameras and The rapid growth of powers to fine errant motorised vehicles is drivers on the spot. The commonly blamed for the highways should also have crashes. But according to dedicated highway patrols this WHO report India only like the Motorway Police in has 41 cars per lakh of Pakistan who recognise no population as compared to VIP’s. Army officers, Judges 183 in China, 249 in Brazil, 519 in UK and tyres, brakes, steering and suspensions or other VIP’s are immediately booked for 797 in USA. The problem is not therefore are important to check as also the traffic offences even if they have the with the number of vehicles but the condition of the roads. Bad weather, power to influence the traffic courts later. shortage of space on roads and highways snow, ice or heavy rain also contribute to Paucity of budget allocations is no excuse and bad traffic management. The same crashes. when the nation pays such a high price WHO report goes on to state that India Legislation has made crash tests, seat for flouting road rules. has 212 deaths per 100,000 vehicles in belts and safer vehicles mandatory but 2- contrast to Germany with 6.9 or UK with wheeler users are still casual with crash —Mr Murad Ali Baig is an 6.3. Obviously, better traffic management helmets in most parts of India. Head internationally renowned automobile is required. injuries account for most 2-wheeler journalist who is also the former editor Several international studies have fatalities. of The Auto Magazine. Besides shown that the chief cause of crashes is Irresponsible driving by young kids or automobiles, he writes regular columns by driver distraction from eating, looking aggressive adults also needs to be curbed. on various issues to a host of for fallen objects, doing make up, using The prescribed fine under the obsolete newspapers and magazines.

[email protected] >> August-September 2015 >> SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER 41 42-Maroof_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.qxd 10/5/2015 6:43 PM Page 1

MAROOF’S MUSINGS

ll through the month of September, India’s military establishment celebrated as the 50th year of—what is now being proclaimed—India’s Avictory in the 1965 war. The reality is that the 1965 war was a stalemate, a draw. The report card based on neutral claims, when ceasefire was finally agreed upon, read as follows: India lost 540 sq. km of territory (mostly in Chhamb) with 3,000 casualties, whereas Pakistan lost 1,840 sq. km of territory (in its precious Punjab and Kashmir) and had 3,800 casualties. India lost more aircraft (60 to 75) and fewer tanks (150 to 190) compared with Pakistan’s losses of aircraft (20) and tanks (200 to 300). The figures given by both sides were higher. And even the date when the war began is still in dispute. The seeds of this war were actually sown in Pakistan’s mind after India’s military humiliation in 1962. It was felt, after that, that India was weak and vulnerable, and certain events thereafter emboldened the Pakistanis further. Also, Pakistan assumed that Lal Bahadur Shastri—following Jawaharlal Nehru’s death in 1964—was weak. Then in late 1964, the disappearance of the Mo-e-Muquaddas (Kashmir’s symbol of Islam) had led to disturbances in the Kashmir Valley. The Pakistanis interpreted this as a demand for secession. And as their probing attacks Maroof Raza in the Rann of Kutch were met with a somewhat belated and clumsy Indian response, Ayub Khan’s men felt that the time was ripe to annex Kashmir. They were further encouraged by a war-game in the US, that said that Kashmir could be HOW INDIA annexed, if Pakistan didn’t make the mistakes of 1947-48. So, Ayub, goaded by his young and conniving foreign minster ZA Bhutto, launched a campaign in two parts: from August 1965, he pushed in thousands of RETALIATED soldiers across the Ceasefire Line (now the LOC), dressed as mujahideen, to cause chaos in Kashmir, and create an Algeria-like rebellion there, as part of Operation Gibraltar. And this was to be backed by a full-scale military attack by Pakistani forces towards Chhamb, near Jammu, to cut off India’s links to Kashmir after September 1, 1965. This was called Operation Grand Slam. And all along, India’s intelligence agencies failed to read Pakistan’s mind and alert Indian authorities. It was only after a visit to Kashmir in end August 1965, that India’s army chief, General J.N. Chaudhuri, rushed to Delhi and met the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Arjan Singh, and defence minister Y.B. Chavan. India soon launched an air and land counter-offensive that took Pakistan completely by surprise.There followed some decisive tank battles that took Indian troops to the gates of Lahore and Sialkot. Pakistan’s leadership was shaken, as their superior tanks and fighter jets were given a resounding reply by India’s forces. But Ayub managed to save the fall of Lahore and Sialkot by abandoning his plans to cut-off Kashmir from India, and diverting his forces from Chhamb. And on the basis of this Pakistan now claims that the 1965 war was a victory! In reality, India had neither the plans nor the capacity to capture these large cities. But the Indian response had energised the Americans and the Russians to push for a ceasefire. The US was keen to show support for Pakistan to prevent it from slipping into China’s camp, and Russia had promised India that they would get Pakistan to accept a final solution over Kashmir on the basis of the ceasefire line. Thus, Shastri’s government accepted the ceasefire.This was finalised at Tashkent - where Shastriji had suddenly died- and after which it was Ayub who was blamed by his military commanders for having miscalculated and blundered into a war. He was soon booted out of power. But the biggest lesson from that war, 50 years ago, still stands true even today: that any attack by Pakistan in Kashmir could lead to a massive Indian response, across the Indo-Pak border.

Maroof Raza is a strategic affairs commentaror. Visit: www.maroofraza.com

42 SALUTE TO THE INDIAN SOLDIER << August-September 2015 << [email protected] 43-IBC_00_COVER_1.qxd 8/27/2015 6:56 PM Page 1

“SALUTE” HAS PUBLISHED A NUMBER OF SPECIAL ISSUES, COMPLETELY FOCUSED ON A THEME OR A REGIMENT

SALUTE welcomes queries for a Special Issue. For more details please email us at [email protected] Visit our website: https:// www.salute.co.in 44-Back Page AD_00_COVER_1.qxd 10/5/2015 5:56 PM Page 1

RNI Registration: DELENG/2008/26923