2024-09-08 16:34:14
Islamabad: 56 years ago, in the 1965 war, the Indian Army fought a battle against Pakistan that is remembered in military history. The Indian Army had planned to give a befitting reply to Pakistan on this day, 6 September, but they hardly knew that they were going to fight a battle with the powerful Patton tanks, whose stories of bravery will be taught to generations to come. This battle fought between 8-10 September is known as the ‘Battle of Asal Uttar’. Which is still counted among India’s biggest victories. It is compared to the Battle of Kursk in the Second World War. This battle turned the tide of the war in India’s favor. Let us remember that story.
Pakistani army entered Kashmir
In August 1965, Pakistan sent thousands of its soldiers to the Kashmir Valley to capture Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan named it Operation Gibraltar. Pakistani soldiers entered the Kashmir Valley disguised as tribal fighters. Pakistan hoped that the people of Kashmir would help the intruders, but its plan flopped badly. Instead of helping Pakistan, the local people started giving information about the intruders to the Indian Army.
Within 15 days, the Indian Army was able to stop the infiltrators, but to completely stop the threat, it was necessary to close the entry points. With this intention, the Indian Army attacked in Kargil, Tangdhar and Haji Pir. Seeing the pressure on its soldiers, the Pakistan Army launched an all-out attack against the Indian Army in the Chhamb Jori sector on 1 September. The intention of the Pakistan Army was to capture the Akhnoor bridge on the Chenab river, thereby cutting off the communication of the Indian Army troops deployed in western Jammu and Kashmir.
Battle of Asal Uttar
Indian troops foiled Pakistan’s plan and consolidated their hold on Akhnoor. Then Indian troops were asked to prepare to defend the city of Asal Uttar in Punjab. Pakistan Army along with its armored and 11th Infantry Division had crossed the international border in Punjab and captured the Indian city of Khem Karan. Seeing the critical situation, GOC Major General Gurbaksh Singh of the Indian 4th Mountain Division ordered the division to take defensive positions in the shape of a horseshoe with Asal Uttar as the center.
Pakistani tanks trapped in the Indian Army’s trap
At night, Indian soldiers took defensive positions in the shape of a horseshoe made of sugarcane fields. The next morning, Pakistan’s M-47 and M-48 Patton tanks were trapped inside this circle. These were the same American Patton tanks, which were called invincible. This place proved to be the graveyard of Pakistani tanks. The marshy ground slowed down the speed of Pakistani tanks. More than 100 Pakistani tanks were destroyed. More than 40 tanks were captured by Indian soldiers. India lost only 10 tanks in this battle.
Veer Abdul Hameed became an example of bravery
In the battle of Asal Uttar, Veer Abdul Hamid, a brave son of India, displayed extraordinary bravery. He faced advanced Patton tanks with his simple anti-tank jeep. On September 9, Hamid destroyed two Patton tanks with the help of his jeep and became a thorn in the eyes of Pakistani soldiers. On the morning of September 10, the Pakistani armored battalion attacked the position of 4 Grenadiers with Patton tanks. The tanks were raining shells. Hamid knew that if the tanks were not stopped, it would all be over soon.
Hamid saw a group of Patton tanks approaching the battalion’s defences. Without caring for his own life, he went out on an anti-tank jeep. Amidst heavy firing, he destroyed three Patton tanks one after the other. In this battle, he gave his life and made the supreme sacrifice for the country. But Hamid’s bravery tarnished the reputation of Patton tanks. After the 1965 war, Pakistan was forced to replace it with M60. Abdul Hamid was posthumously awarded the Indian Army’s highest gallantry award, the Param Vir Chakra.