Battle of Asal Uttar

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Battle of Asal Uttar
Part of Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

Captured Pakistani tanks on display near Bhilwind, India
Date September 8 – September 10, 1965
Location Asal Uttar (Punjab, India)
Result Decisive Indian victory in Asal Uttar and Bhikkiwind.[1] Strategic stalemate in Khem Karan.[2]
Belligerents

Pakistan

India
Commanders
Maj. Gen. Nasir Ahmed Khan Maj. Gen. Gurbaksh Singh
Brigadier Thomas K. Theograj
Strength
300 M48 Pattons 45 Centurions,
45 Shermans,
45 AMX-13
Casualties and losses
97 tanks abandoned or destroyed[3][4] 32 tanks destroyed or damaged[5][4]

The Battle of Asal Uttar (Hindi: Battle of Fitting Reply) was one of the most decisive battles fought during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. It was fought from September 8 through September 10, 1965, when the Pakistan Army thrust its tanks and infantry into Indian territory. After three days of bitter fighting, the battle ended in a victory for the Indians near Asal Uttar, thanks to the conditions of the plains and a strategic stalemate in Khem Karan. The tank battle fought near Asal Uttar was the largest such battle since World War II.

Contents

[edit] Battle

Pakistan's invading force, consisting of 1 Armoured Division and 11 Infantry Division, had managed to capture the Indian town of Khem Karan. After the seizure, the Indian Army regrouped and repelled further attacks made by the Pakistani troops and were able to destroy or capture several Pakistani tanks[6] while losing 32 of their own. Indian troops had flooded the area which bogged the Pakistani tanks down, making them sitting ducks. The Pakistanis then fell back to Khem Karan, and were given a further blow when the 1 Armoured Division was given orders to redeploy to the Sialkot sector where it would fight the Battle of Chawinda, leaving the newly formed 11 Infantry Division to face the Indian counter-offensive.

[edit] Losses

India had its largest haul of Pakistani tanks during this battle. At the end of the war, the Fourth Indian Division .a.k.a. "The Fighting Fourth" along with the 2 Armoured Brigade had captured about 97 tanks in destroyed, damaged or intact condition. This included 72 Patton tanks and 25 Chafees and Shermans. 32 of the 97 tanks, including 28 Pattons, were in running condition.[7][3]

Indian losses in Khem Karan sector for the whole war were 32 tanks.[7] Roughly about fifteen of them were captured by the Pakistan Army, mostly Sherman tanks. Only ten of these occurred during the battle.

[edit] Conclusion

As the day ended, the Pakistani First Armoured Division was devastated. India won the battle, which was one of the turning points of the war. However, India was unable to regain control of Khem Karan until the war was declared over.

Pervez Musharraf, later Army Chief of Staff and President of Pakistan, participated in this battle as a lieutenant of artillery in the 16 (SP) Field Regiment, 1st Armoured Division Artillery. The battle also witnessed the personal bravery of an Indian soldier Abdul Hamid being honoured with the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military award, for having knocked out two enemy tanks with a recoilless gun.[8]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ M47 & M48 Patton in Pakistani Service
  2. ^ The State at War in South Asia By Pradeep Barua
  3. ^ a b OrBat of Assal Uttar at Orbat.com
  4. ^ a b The M47 and M48 Patton Tanks By Steve Zaloga
  5. ^ [The India-Pakistan Conflict: An Enduring Rivalry 2005 Cambridge Press]
  6. ^ Debacle to Revival: Y.B. Chavan as Defence Minister, 1962-65 By R. D. Pradhan
  7. ^ a b Patton Nagar - www.bharat-rakshak.com
  8. ^ The Param Vir Chakra Winners' home page for Company Quarter Master Havildar Abdul Hamid

[edit] Resources

[edit] External links

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