Battle of Lahore

Infobox Military Conflict
|conflict=Battle of Lahore
date=September 6, 1965 to September 12, 1965 main battle, though sporadic fighting in this sector continued till ceasefire
place=Lahore, Pakistan
result= Strategic Stalmate.1.) India manages to retain 710 Sq. Miles of Pakistani Territory.2.) Pakistan manages to repulse Indian thrusts into Lahore Proper, but are unable to expel Indian Troops from the outskirts.
combatant1=PAK
combatant2=IND
commander1=Sarfraz Khan
commander2=JS Dhillion
strength1=50,000
strength2=100,000
casualties1=2,000 total
casualties2=3,500-4,000

The Battle of Lahore or the Defence of Lahore was an episode in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.

Prelude

After losing hope of a plebiscite in Kashmir, the Pakistani Army invaded the Indian held Kashmir through a covert operative dubbed Operation Gibraltar. After the infiltrators were spotted by the Indians, the Indian Army eliminated the saboteurs and inflicted casualties to Pakistani posts across the Cease Fire Line. Pakistan retaliated by launching Operation Grand Slam. To relieve forces almost cut off in their part of Kashmir, India then counter attacked by crossing the International border further south with the intentions of diverting Pakistani Units that were participating in Operation Grand Slam.

The Battle

On the night of September 5 - September 6, Indian XI Corps began its operations by crossing the international border at Wahga, overwhelming the small Pakistani force. Pakistan's 10 and 11 Divisions which were deployed in the sector, began a series of rather confused delaying actions, and by the end of the first day the Indian infantry backed by heavy armoured troops were within striking distance of Lahore city. However near the evening the Pakistan Air Force counterattacked and destroyed several Indian vehicles, forcing the Indians to retreat. A renewed attack came the following day, but by now the Pakistani forces were well entrenched amid the Indian attacks were repulsed with heavy losses, the Pakistanis being helped by the fact that the network of canals and streams in the sector made for natural defensive barriers. In addition the prepared defence, comprising minefields, dugouts and more elaborate pillboxes proved problematic for the Indians, in some cases these defences fell to the advances of Indian Units, however for the most part the Indians were unable to make any decisive headway. Lahore's proximity to the border and the necessity and problems of defending it had occupied Pakistani thinking since 1947. By 12th of September, Indian attention had turned towards Sialkot and the resultant Battle of Chawinda.

Aftermath

When the battle had ended thousands of lives were lost though the exact count is disputed on both sides. It is believed that some 700 Pakistanis and 1000 Indians were killed in the fighting. While Pakistan regards this as a military victory for prevailing over its numerically superior neighbour, even celebrating September 6 as Defence Day each year, many historians opine that it had shifted the momentum from Pakistan in Kashmir. By choosing to attack Lahore, the Indians had managed to relieve pressure from Chumb and Akhnoor in Kashmir forcing the Pakistan Army to defend further south. This is countered by others who point out that no Pakistani forces that actually took part in the battle were moved from Kashmir. The battle was followed by Pakistani counter attacks and battles in Indian territory including the Battle of Asal Uttar.

Awards

Maj Aziz Bhatti, of the 17th Battalion of the Punjab Regiment was awarded the Nishan-e-Haider for his actions during this battle.

Notes

References

* "India Pakistan in War and Peace" Harry Chinchinian ISBN 0-415-30472-5