Indo-Pak War 1971

The Indo-Pak war was fought in December 1971. Also, known as Bangladesh Liberation War, the war began on 26 March 1971 between East and West Pakistan. India intervened on 3rd December 1971 after Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan’s pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases. In just 13 days, the war was over with decisive Indian victory and formation of Bangladesh. More than 93000 Pakistani soldiers including paramilitary surrendered making it the biggest ever surrender of armed forces post World War-II.

Events Leading to War: Before 1971, Pakistan comprised two different geographical and cultural areas east and west of India. Though East Pakistan was more populous the West Pakistan dominated the country politically and received more funds. On 25 March West Pakistani forces brutally supressed the civilian leaders who were rising against the atrocities. This led to the declaration of East Pakistan as an independent state of Bangladesh by Awami League leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. West Pakistan in response ordered a military action to restore authority. The subsequent civil war saw more than 10 million refugees fleeing to India. So, India decided to provide aid and support to the Bangladeshi Mukti Vahini.

By November, the war had become inevitable. India started building up of forces in the east front. Pakistan declared emergency and asked its countrymen to be prepared for war. On 3rd December, Pakistan air force launched a pre-emptive strike against India on the western front. 11 air bases were attacked including Agra. India responded with declaration of war and counter air-attacks on the same night. This began the official Indo-Pak war of 1971.

The War: This war was fought for 13 days and resulted in decisive Indian victory on all the fronts. The end goal of freedom of Bangladesh was achieved with ease. The war saw a major use of air force and navy. Indian Navy attacked Karachi port and destroyed it in Operation Trident. Pakistan lost more than a third of its naval forces including the destroyer PNS Khyber. On the eastern front, led by Vice Admiral Krishnan, Indian navy completely isolated Pakistan by making a blockade in the Bay of Bengal. INS Vikrant was deployed to provide air support by using its Sea Hawks bombers. Pakistan tried to counter INS Vikrant by INS Ghazi, which sank mysteriously. Though Indian navy had a victory on both the fronts, a major loss was the INS Khukri which was sank by PNS Hangor on December 9. United States came to rescue Pakistan by deploying USS Enterprise in Arabian Sea. This however was trailed by nuclear submarine from Soviet Union which helped to ward off any threat by USS Enterprise.

India also established air superiority on both the fronts. Right from the night of initial air strike by PAF, IAF launched a series of attacks on West Pakistan with the aim to restrict their movement. On the eastern front, Dacca (now Dhaka) airfield was destroyed and made out of commission. Pakistan was forced to look for foreign aid which included air crafts being supplied from Jordan and Libya. US also asked Iran to supply aircrafts to Pakistan. However, even after foreign aid to enemy, IAF continued its air strikes in West Pakistan till December 17 and helped to gain more than 14000 km² land of West Pakistan which was later returned as goodwill.

As with any other war, major action took place on ground. On the Western front, Indian forces were attacked by Pakistan. One of the major battles on this front was the Battle of Longevala where a full Pakistani regiment along with mobile infantry and an armoured tank division lost against an Indian company of just 120 men led by Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri. This battle was one of the decisive points in the war. This battle saw the largest disproportionate one sided tank causalities since World War II. On the eastern front, Indian forces joined the Mukti Vahini of Bangladesh to form Mitra Vahini (Friendly Army). Unlike the 1965 war which had emphasised set-piece battles and slow advances, this time the strategy adopted was a swift, three-pronged assault of nine infantry divisions with attached armoured units and close air support that rapidly converged on Dhaka, the capital of East Pakistan.

The war ended with the surrender of Pakistan on 16th December and formation of Bangladesh. More than 90000 Pakistani soldiers and civilians were taken Prisoners of War; the biggest ever surrender post World War II. Pakistan lost more than half of its population, half of its navy and one-third of air force and army in the war. Before leaving the country however, Pakistani forces slaughtered many Bengali Hindu civilians. The total civilian toll is between 300,000 to 3 million based on different estimates.

War Heroes: More than 1400 Indian soldiers sacrificed their lives in the war. After the war a total of 41 battle honours and 4 theatre honours were awarded to India. 4 soldiers were awarded Param Veer Chakra for extreme courage and self-sacrifice shown during the war, including Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was just 21!

Lance Naik Albert Ekka: Albert Ekka was born on 27 December 1942, in Jari village of Chainpur tehsil Ranchi tehsil of Ranchi district (now Gumla district) in the Indian state of Bihar (now Jharkhand). His father's name was Julius Ekka. On 27 December 1962, at the age of 20, Albert was enrolled in the 14 Guards of the Indian army.

On the very first day of war, 14 Guards was given the task to capture a Pakistani position at Gangasagar, near Akhaura, on the border between Tripura and East Pakistan. This was a well-fortified position held in strength by the enemy. The troops were subjected to intense shelling and heavy small-arms fire. Lance Naik Albert Ekka noticed enemy light machine-gun (LMG) inflicting heavy casualties on his company. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he charged the enemy bunker and bayoneted two enemy soldiers. Though seriously wounded in this encounter, he continued to fight, clearing bunker after bunker with undaunted courage. An MMG opened fire from the Northern end of post. Once again, without a thought for his personal safety, despite his serious injury and the heavy volume of enemy fire, he crawled forward till he reached the building and lobbed a grenade into the bunker. With outstanding courage and determination Lance Naik Albert Ekka scaled a side wall and entering the bunker, bayoneted the enemy soldier who was still firing. In this process however, he received serious injuries and succumbed to them after the capture of the objective.

In this action, Lance Naik Albert Ekka displayed the most conspicuous valour and determination and made the supreme sacrifice in the best traditions of the Army.

Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon: Nirmal Jit Sekhon, a jat Sikh, was born on July 17, 1943 in the village of Isewal Dakha in Ludhiana District, Punjab. He was the son of Warrant Officer Hon. Flight Lieutenant Tarlochan Singh Sekhon. He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on June 4, 1967 as a Flying Officer.

During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, he was assigned to the No. 18 Squadron, "The Flying Bullets", flying the Folland Gnat fighter aircraft based at Srinagar. On 14 December 1971, Srinagar airfield was attacked by six Pakistan Air Force F-86 jets. Flying Officer Sekhon was on readiness duty at that time. However, he could not take off at once because of the clouds of dust raised by another aircraft which had just taken off. By the time the runway was fit for take-off, no fewer than six enemy aircraft were overhead, and strafing of the airfield was in progress. In spite of the mortal danger of attempting to take off during an attack, Flying Officer Sekhon took off and immediately engaged a pair of the attacking Sabres. In the fight that followed, at tree top height, he all but held his own. He was eventually overcome by sheer weight of numbers. His aircraft crashed and he was killed. In thus, sacrificing himself for the defence of Srinagar, Flying Officer Sekhon achieved his object, for the enemy aircraft fled from the scene of the battle without pressing home their attack against the town and the airfield.

Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon is remembered for his gallantry and statues of him have also been erected in many cities in Punjab. A marine tanker built in 1985 was named Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC. He is the only personnel from Indian Air Force to be awarded Param Veer Chakra.

Second Lieutenant Arun Khetapal: Arun Khetarpal was born in Pune, Maharashtra on 14 October 1950. His father Brigadier M. L. Khetarpal was serving in the Indian Army and his family traced a long history of service. Khetarpal joined the National Defence Academy in 1967. He subsequently went on to join the Indian Military Academy. In June 1971, Khetarpal was commissioned to the 17 Poona Horse.

On 16 December 1971, the Squadron Commander of ‘B’ Squadron, the Poona Horse asked for reinforcement as the Pakistani Armour which was superior in strength, counter attacked at Jarpal, in the Shakargarh Sector. On hearing this, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal moved along with his troop, to assist the other squadron. En route, while crossing the Basantar River, Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal and his troop came under fire from enemy strong points and RCL gun nests that were still holding out. Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal started attacking the impending enemy strong points by literally charging them, overrunning the defence works with his tanks and capturing the enemy infantry and weapon crew at pistol point. In commander of his troop was killed. Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal continued to attack relentlessly until all enemy opposition was overcome and he broke through towards the ‘B’ Squadron position, just in time to see the enemy tanks pulling back. He started chasing the withdrawing tanks and even managed to shoot and destroy one. Soon thereafter, the enemy reformed with a squadron of armour for a second attack and this time they selected the sector held by Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. A fierce tank fight ensured ten enemy tanks were hit and destroyed and Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal was severely wounded. He was asked to abandon his tank but he realised that the enemy was continuing to advance in his sector and if he abandoned his tank, the enemy would break through. He gallantly fought on and destroyed another enemy tank. At this stage his tank received a second hit which resulted in the death of this gallant officer.

The bravery of Khetarpal is deeply embedded in the ethos of the army and is evident from the numerous buildings named after him at IMA and NDA, higher than any other officer of the Indian Army. The IMA has its auditorium named Khetarpal and the all passing out officers take oath in front of this building. The IMA also has one of the main entrance gate named Khetarpal.The main ground at NDA is named Khetarpal Ground. The tank of Arun Khetarpal was called Famagusta Jx 202. It was restored after the war and is kept in the Armoured Corps Centre and School Ahmednagar.

His bravery was even praised by Maj (Rtd) A. H. Amin, Pakistan Armoured Corps and Brigadier Khawja Mohammad Naser, 13 Lancers, Pakistan, the man responsible for his death!

Colonel Hoshiyar Singh: Colonel Hoshiar Singh Dahiya, was born in Sisana village, Sonipat district, Haryana to Choudhary Hira Singh on 5 May 1937. He was commissioned in The Grenadiers Regiment of the Indian Army on 30 June 1963. Before the 1971 war, he also saw action in 1965 Indo-Pak war.

On 15 December 1971 a battalion of the Grenadiers was given the task of establishing a bridgehead across the Basantar River in the Shakargarh Sector. Major Hoshiar Singh was commanding the left forward company and was ordered to capture the well- fortified enemy locality of Jarpal. During the assault, his company came under intense shelling and effective crossfire from enemy medium machine guns. Undeterred, he led the charge and captured the objective after a fierce hand-to hand fight. The enemy reacted and put in three counterattacks on 16 December 1971, two of them supported by armour, Major Hoshiar Singh unmindful of the heavy shelling and tank fire went from trench to trench, motivating his command and encouraging his men to stand fast and fight. Inspired by his courage and dauntless leadership, his company repulsed all the attacks inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Again, on 17 December 1971 the enemy made another attack with a battalion supported by heavy artillery fire. Though seriously wounded by enemy shelling, Major Hoshiar Singh again went from trench to trench moving about in the open with utter disregard to his personal safety when an enemy shell landed near the medium machine gun post injuring the crew and rendering it inoperative. Major Hoshiar Singh, realizing the importance of machine-gun fire, immediately rushed to the machine-gun pit and though seriously wounded himself, manned the gun inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. The attack was successfully repulsed and the enemy retreated leaving behind 85 dead including their Commanding Officer and three other officers. Though seriously wounded, Major Hoshiar Singh refused to be evacuated till the ceasefire.