It's a known fact in history, that in Sep '65 when Pakistan was on the verge of victory in Kashmir with the Chhamb offensive - a three pronged attack on Jammu, Akhnoor and Pathankot to cut off Kashmir from the rest of India - one man stood up.....Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh, the Western Army Commander.
The towering khalsa took upon himself to break the defensive mindset and went on the offensive.....thus, for the second time in history after the khalsa offensive by the legendary Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa against the Pathans in the 19th century; the Indian Army went on the offensive....Lahore was attacked.
Since early days, Harbaksh was destined to always save India out of trouble. 13 years of combat experience with his parent unit 5 Sikh, fighting the Japanese in the second world war, Harbaksh had seen it all from capturing posts, to being ambushed, injured and taken as a Prisoner of War. By 1947, Harbaksh, a senior military officer and a brilliant, battle hardened soldier had just completed Staff Course at the Staff College at Quetta and was ready to be part of the higher echelons of the military. As a Colonel, he was the Deputy Commander of the famous 161 Infantry Brigade in Uri in 1947. He had volunteered to command a unit in battle but was refused as he was a Colonel (Units were commanded by Lt Colonels).
During the offensive by 1 Sikh, the CO, Lt Col Dewan Singh got killed in action. Harbaksh Singh again volunteered and this time, removed a star from his shoulders (For the first time in history, an officer demoted himself to lead his men in battle). The battered battalion regrouped and fought like lions, under Harbaksh, to reclaim Farkian Gali and drove out the Pakistanis from the valley.
Harbaksh Singh was promoted as Brigadier in '48. As the Commander of 163 Infantry Brigade, he again conducted daring operations in Tithwal and captured Tithwal. He was awarded Vir Chakra, the third highest gallantry award, then, of India.
In Sep '65, the Indian Army went on the offensive with the Jalandhar based 11 Corps launching all of its infantry divisions(7th, 15th and 4th) towards Lahore and Army HQ Reserve 1 Strike Corps, with the elite 1 Armoured Division was launched further north, towards Sialkot not only to thwart the Pakistani juggernaut but also to crush the Pakistani feeling of supremacy and to regain the pride of the Indian Army, licking its wounds from the '62 China debacle. Bitter battles followed with both the sides fighting for every inch of land. The Indian Armoured Corps came into its own with the destruction of their Pakistani counterparts despite having inferior Sherman tanks as compared to their modern Patton tanks. Legends were created on the battlefield with units like 17 Poona Horse, 4 Horse, 3 Cavalry writing history in blood and gold. The infantrymen went beyond the call of duty and beyond imagination to fight with tanks, the likes of Abdul Hamid showed the true colours of the sons of the soil. India regained its pride as not only the Pakistani offensives were crushed but it was also ready to capture Lahore. Pakistan, however, launched another offensive, this time, towards south Punjab in Ferozepur sector. In Husseiniwala, Pakistan cracked up Indian defences and a crisis developed. The Army Chief, Gen JN Choudhary ordered the 11 Corps, which was in offensive to withdraw and take up defensive positions. Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh, the Western Army Commander refused, defied the Army Chief and ordered GOC 11 Corps to attack, thereby saving Punjab and India from certain defeat.
Meanwhile in Kasmir, during the progress of operations, history was in the making. Operation Gibraltar combined with the Pakistani offensive in Jammu, initially had succeeded due to surprise and speed. It was a precarious situation as Poonch was threatened. The only possible way to recapture territory and save Poonch was to go behind the enemy lines and destroy his flanks. The Pakistanis knew that India would lose Kashmir if the old road to the valley from Poonch was lost. Doom prevailed in the horizon of the future of an integrated India.
At this time a miracle happened. It's often said that outlaws create history; same thing happened when Maj Megh Singh of the 3rd Battalion of the Brigade of the Guards, a superseded officer and who had been denied promotion, volunteered to the Western Army Commander to carry out commando raids behind the enemy lines. A preposterous idea, given the time and situation and with no resources at hand. Nor were there any plans to raise any. Gen Harbaksh listened patiently and told Megh Singh, "Son, if you succeed in this, I'll put that star on your shoulder with my own hands". And without government approval, Harbaksh gave a nod to raise this force. Maj Megh Singh organised a force of volunteer dare devils, personally chosen by him....a few good men. This force known as the "Meghdoot Force" after Megh Singh - the forgotten men not recognised by the government of the day, formed the nucleus of the first special forces unit in India. Thus was born the elite 9 Para Commando or the 9th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment Special Forces.
Maj Megh Singh proved his mettle and carried out not one but three of the most outstanding and daring raids and link ups ever, in the history of warfare. His raids took the Pakistanis completely off guard as nothing this spectacular was expected by them, from the Indians. Today, Poonch remains with India, courtesy Megh Singh, the outlawed man facing Court Martial charges before the raids, came back with a bullet in his thigh and was pipped Lt Colonel by Gen Harbaksh Singh, himself and became the first CO of 9 PARA.
By the time, the ceasefire was declared on 23 Sep '65, the Indian Army had not only recovered from the initial losses but also captured large chunks of Pakistani territory in north Punjab. War, on the whole was a stalemate, but the Indian Army was able to thwart the Pakistani intentions of capturing Kashmir with force, their Operation Gibraltar proved to be an utter failure. Truly, Harbaksh was the saviour of Kashmir, Punjab and India's honour.
Tailpiece.
The day had begun at a half past 4. Lekha had begun with the chores, followed closely by me as we didn't want Maari to get delayed because of us; but that's exactly what had happened. He came in, on the dot, at 6 and we had still not strapped up our bags! We, finally, left the house by about a 20' past 6. The morning sky was overcast and we encountered a few showers enroute.
Maari chose the route via Angamali and hence, the traffic was comparatively less. We'd breakfast at Ettumanoor and were at 'The Quarterdeck', in time, for lunch. He was sent soon after, Letha's car was the saving grace. So, two trips done with our Chevy in the service station and it had never happened before!
The towering khalsa took upon himself to break the defensive mindset and went on the offensive.....thus, for the second time in history after the khalsa offensive by the legendary Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa against the Pathans in the 19th century; the Indian Army went on the offensive....Lahore was attacked.
Since early days, Harbaksh was destined to always save India out of trouble. 13 years of combat experience with his parent unit 5 Sikh, fighting the Japanese in the second world war, Harbaksh had seen it all from capturing posts, to being ambushed, injured and taken as a Prisoner of War. By 1947, Harbaksh, a senior military officer and a brilliant, battle hardened soldier had just completed Staff Course at the Staff College at Quetta and was ready to be part of the higher echelons of the military. As a Colonel, he was the Deputy Commander of the famous 161 Infantry Brigade in Uri in 1947. He had volunteered to command a unit in battle but was refused as he was a Colonel (Units were commanded by Lt Colonels).
During the offensive by 1 Sikh, the CO, Lt Col Dewan Singh got killed in action. Harbaksh Singh again volunteered and this time, removed a star from his shoulders (For the first time in history, an officer demoted himself to lead his men in battle). The battered battalion regrouped and fought like lions, under Harbaksh, to reclaim Farkian Gali and drove out the Pakistanis from the valley.
Harbaksh Singh was promoted as Brigadier in '48. As the Commander of 163 Infantry Brigade, he again conducted daring operations in Tithwal and captured Tithwal. He was awarded Vir Chakra, the third highest gallantry award, then, of India.
In Sep '65, the Indian Army went on the offensive with the Jalandhar based 11 Corps launching all of its infantry divisions(7th, 15th and 4th) towards Lahore and Army HQ Reserve 1 Strike Corps, with the elite 1 Armoured Division was launched further north, towards Sialkot not only to thwart the Pakistani juggernaut but also to crush the Pakistani feeling of supremacy and to regain the pride of the Indian Army, licking its wounds from the '62 China debacle. Bitter battles followed with both the sides fighting for every inch of land. The Indian Armoured Corps came into its own with the destruction of their Pakistani counterparts despite having inferior Sherman tanks as compared to their modern Patton tanks. Legends were created on the battlefield with units like 17 Poona Horse, 4 Horse, 3 Cavalry writing history in blood and gold. The infantrymen went beyond the call of duty and beyond imagination to fight with tanks, the likes of Abdul Hamid showed the true colours of the sons of the soil. India regained its pride as not only the Pakistani offensives were crushed but it was also ready to capture Lahore. Pakistan, however, launched another offensive, this time, towards south Punjab in Ferozepur sector. In Husseiniwala, Pakistan cracked up Indian defences and a crisis developed. The Army Chief, Gen JN Choudhary ordered the 11 Corps, which was in offensive to withdraw and take up defensive positions. Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh, the Western Army Commander refused, defied the Army Chief and ordered GOC 11 Corps to attack, thereby saving Punjab and India from certain defeat.
Meanwhile in Kasmir, during the progress of operations, history was in the making. Operation Gibraltar combined with the Pakistani offensive in Jammu, initially had succeeded due to surprise and speed. It was a precarious situation as Poonch was threatened. The only possible way to recapture territory and save Poonch was to go behind the enemy lines and destroy his flanks. The Pakistanis knew that India would lose Kashmir if the old road to the valley from Poonch was lost. Doom prevailed in the horizon of the future of an integrated India.
At this time a miracle happened. It's often said that outlaws create history; same thing happened when Maj Megh Singh of the 3rd Battalion of the Brigade of the Guards, a superseded officer and who had been denied promotion, volunteered to the Western Army Commander to carry out commando raids behind the enemy lines. A preposterous idea, given the time and situation and with no resources at hand. Nor were there any plans to raise any. Gen Harbaksh listened patiently and told Megh Singh, "Son, if you succeed in this, I'll put that star on your shoulder with my own hands". And without government approval, Harbaksh gave a nod to raise this force. Maj Megh Singh organised a force of volunteer dare devils, personally chosen by him....a few good men. This force known as the "Meghdoot Force" after Megh Singh - the forgotten men not recognised by the government of the day, formed the nucleus of the first special forces unit in India. Thus was born the elite 9 Para Commando or the 9th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment Special Forces.
Maj Megh Singh proved his mettle and carried out not one but three of the most outstanding and daring raids and link ups ever, in the history of warfare. His raids took the Pakistanis completely off guard as nothing this spectacular was expected by them, from the Indians. Today, Poonch remains with India, courtesy Megh Singh, the outlawed man facing Court Martial charges before the raids, came back with a bullet in his thigh and was pipped Lt Colonel by Gen Harbaksh Singh, himself and became the first CO of 9 PARA.
By the time, the ceasefire was declared on 23 Sep '65, the Indian Army had not only recovered from the initial losses but also captured large chunks of Pakistani territory in north Punjab. War, on the whole was a stalemate, but the Indian Army was able to thwart the Pakistani intentions of capturing Kashmir with force, their Operation Gibraltar proved to be an utter failure. Truly, Harbaksh was the saviour of Kashmir, Punjab and India's honour.
Tailpiece.
The day had begun at a half past 4. Lekha had begun with the chores, followed closely by me as we didn't want Maari to get delayed because of us; but that's exactly what had happened. He came in, on the dot, at 6 and we had still not strapped up our bags! We, finally, left the house by about a 20' past 6. The morning sky was overcast and we encountered a few showers enroute.
Maari chose the route via Angamali and hence, the traffic was comparatively less. We'd breakfast at Ettumanoor and were at 'The Quarterdeck', in time, for lunch. He was sent soon after, Letha's car was the saving grace. So, two trips done with our Chevy in the service station and it had never happened before!
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