Rajasthan Campaign (1965)
| Rajasthan Campaign (1965) | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 | |||||||||
 Pakistan Rangers and Hurs posing in front of the captured Kishangarh Fort | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Hurs | |||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Brig. Khuda Dad Khan Brig. K. M. Azhar Khan Faqir Jamal Mangrio |
Brig. J. C. Guha Lt. Gen. Moti Sagar Maj. Gen. N. C. Rawley Brig H. N. Summanwar | ||||||||
| Units involved | |||||||||
|
Pakistan Rangers 18th Punjab Regiment 51st Infantry Brigade 14th Artillery Regiment Hur tribal force |
Maratha Regiment Rajasthan Armed Constabulary 30th Indian Infantry 3rd Guards 1st Garhwal 4th Maratha Light Infantry 85th Indian Infantry 17th Madras 13th Grenadiers | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| unknown but minimal |
250-300 killed 237+ captured 3 tanks captured | ||||||||
The Rajasthan Campaign was a series of battles and skirmishes fought between Pakistan and India in India's Rajasthan state, during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965. The campaign saw the Pakistan Rangers, accompanied by the Hur tribal warriors, raid and capture numerous Indian positions and fortifications along the border between Sindh and Rajasthan. The campaign was largely a success for Pakistan with 500-1200 square kilometers of Indian territory captured, comprising the bulk of Pakistan's territorial advances during the war.[1]
Background
[edit]The initial stages of the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 were confined to the disputed region of Kashmir. Although India saw initial success battling Pakistani-supported guerillas in Kashmir in late-August, the situation changed on 1 September when the Pakistan Army launched Operation Grand Slam, a large offensive with the aim of capturing crucial locations in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK). India subsequently suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Chamb, and in order to relieve pressure in the region, crossed the international border in Punjab on 6th September 1965. This led to the escalation of the war to other fronts, such as Rajasthan and Sialkot.
The Hurs
[edit]The main tribe living in the border areas of Sindh are the Hurs. They had rebelled against the British in World War II, and had experience fighting in the terrain. This made them a crucial asset for Pakistan in the campaign. Their desert warfare and survival skills were far superior to those of the Indian Army. Thousands of Hurs volunteered to fight for Pakistan, commanded by Faqir Jamal Mangrio. Due to financial constraints, they could only be given basic training and weaponry, but they proved to be the most effective unit in the campaign nonetheless.[2] Together with the Pakistan Rangers they formed the 'Desert Force' of the 1965 war. The capture of numerous fortresses and outpost by the Hurs is regarded as one of the finest examples of use of local militia in South Asia.[3]
Pakistani offensive
[edit]Hostilities in Rajasthan began on 8 September 1965, with the Pakistan Desert Force carrying out raids on Indian border posts. The Hurs were utilized as light infantry and skirmishers, a task which they carried out on camel-back. Although India's war efforts were focused on northern Punjab, they had left some forces in Rajasthan with the aim of launching desert offensives. However, Pakistani-Hur operations forced India to be on the defensive throughout September right up till the ceasefire.
Several major engagements occurred during the campaign:
Siege of Kishangarh
[edit]Kishangarh Fort (not to be confused with the historic fortress of the same name) was a key Indian fortress located 11 kilometers from the border with Pakistan. It was situated along the only road which linked Rajasthan to the Pakistani city of Rahim Yar Khan. On 8 September, the first major incursion by Pakistan was launched and Kishangarh was besieged. After 10 days of fighting, the garrison surrendered and the fortress was captured on September 18.[1]
Capture of Munabao Station
[edit]Further south, the Desert Force launched a new attack on September 10. Munabao, station was shelled by Pakistan's 14th Artillery Regiment. Brigadier K. M. Azhar Khan and his forces of 18th Punjab regiment had captured the station by mid-day 11 September.[2]
Gadra skirmishes
[edit]On 11 September, small skirmishes were reported near the Pakistani border village of Gadra. Retaliatory raids were launched by the Desert Force on the town of Gadra Road on the Indian side, where a railway station was located. A skirmish on 14 September resulted in the capture of an entire Indian platoon, with 36 captured including 1 officer.[1]
Attacks on Rohera and Panchla
[edit]Following the success at Munabao, Brig. Azhar Khan ordered further attacks on the nearby Indian posts of Rohera and Panchla. The attacks were successful and the positions were captured on 12 and 13 September respectively. Together with Munabao they formed a chain of Indian positions occupied by Pakistan.[2]
Capture of Ghotaro Fort
[edit]Ghotaro fort was another key Indian fortification located around 20 kilometers inside Indian territory. The fortress was attacked and captured by Pakistan on 22 September.[1][4] Five other Indian army posts (Bhutewala, Malesar, Rai Chandwala, Bulli Kallan and Kala Dhar Toba) had been captured by 23 September.
Indian counteroffensive
[edit]India was largely on the defensive throughout the Rajasthan campaign, save for minor raids early on which were repelled by Hurs.[1] The only significant Indian counterattack in this sector of the war was launched on 21 September towards the Pakistani village of Dahli, about 13 kilometers from the border.
Battle of Dahli
[edit]The counterattack consisted of elements of the Maratha regiment along with 17th Madras and a tank troop (consisting of 3 tanks).[2] The initial engagement lasted several hours and India ended up capturing the village with some losses. The outnumbered Pakistani unit defending Dahli retreated to the nearby town of Khinsar. When news of the attack reached Brigadier Azhar Khan, he turned 18 Punjab Reg. around from Munabao and launched a counterattack to reclaim Dahli from the north.[2] This move was a success and Dahli was liberated on 22 September, with as many as 97 Indian soldiers killed[1] and 180 more captured[2] including at least 7 officers.[1] All 3 Indian tanks involved in the battle were captured in working condition.[5]
Ceasefire
[edit]23 September saw only minor clashes in the region. The ceasefire was signed by India and Pakistan, bringing an end to hostilities across all fronts and subsequently the Rajasthan campaign drew to a close. It is generally regarded as a major Pakistani victory.
Casualties and losses
[edit]According to Pakistani sources, between 8 and 19 September, at least 150-200 Indian soldiers were killed and 57 captured (36 in the skirmish near Gadra on 14 September and 21 in other encounters).[1] Another 97 Indian soldiers were killed and 180 captured in Dalli on 22 September.[2][1] This makes India's total losses 250-300 killed and upwards of 237 captured, as well as 3 tanks captured.[5] Pakistan's losses were minimal.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h i Ahmed, Anwar (September 2024). "The Spirit of Indo-Pakistani War of 1965". Archived from the original on 2023-06-24.
- ^ a b c d e f g Imran (2019-10-22). "The lost graves of Munabao". MANI JUNCTION. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ "When Kishangarh Reverberated With Gunshots". www.thisday.app. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ "The Desert Raids of the Bangladesh Liberation War – THE DEEP DIVE". 2022-01-26. Archived from the original on 2022-01-26. Retrieved 2024-09-24.
- ^ a b "PAK INDIA 1965 WAR". www.pakistanarmy.biz.tc. Retrieved 2024-09-24.