A1Kaid
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Battle of Gazipur, 1971. Location Gazipur Tea Estate. A battle between the defending 22 Baloch regiment of Pakistan Army vs the Mukhti Bahini (Bangladeshi traitors), and Indian Army's 6th Rajput, 4/5 Gurkha rifles, and other battle groups.
Respect to the 22 Baloch Regiment, your fighting tenacity, discipline, and valor is not forgotten.
At Gazipur, Dharmanagar Kadamtal Sagarnal Gazipur Kalaura road passed through the area dominated by Gazipur Tea Factory Managers Bungalow and heights to the Southeast. The row of tea plantation created a maze and these alleys were covered by automatic fire. To its North was high ground with good observation of the area, bunkers around it and characterized by Banana Plantation and called Kela-Ka-Bagicha. On 3 December 1971 around 2100 hours, 6 Rajput attacked Gazipur but met with stiff resistance. An odd hour before first light it was apparent that the attack had failed and it was too late to employ reserves.
At this stage 4/5 Gorkha Rifles {Frontier Force} was warned for task for the capture of Gazipur next night; 4/5 December 1971. Day of 4th was utilized for reconnaissance. With the attack launched the previous night, the Pakistanis were sensitive in the area, and had reorganized their defences to prepare for any an attack from any direction. They were supported by artillery guns. The appreciated deployment of Pakistans 22 Baluch Company plus at Gazipur was; Kela-Ka-Bagicha; Platoon with section of Scouts; Managers Bungalow, Platoon with section Scouts and MMGs; Factory, Company Headquarter with a platoon, Scouts and Reconnaissance and Support elements. The Pakistani defences were based on built up area and well prepared bunkers. 4/5 Gorkha Rifles {Frontier Force}planned capture of localities in phases; Kela-Ka-Bagicha by Delta Company; Managers Bungalow by Alfa Company; Factory by Bravo and Charlie Company; CO 2 {Shyam Kelkar} was made overall commander of Factory assault by B and C Company.
Delta Company led the move to the objective. By about 2030 hours the advancing column reached the height immediately North of Kela-Ka-Bagicha and Pakistanis opened up with artillery, MMG and LMGs. It was almost simultaneously that the company charged at about 2045 hours. Apparently Pakistanis had got wind of the attack at the last minute and their reaction was violent. During the hand to hand fighting casualties occurred. Delta did its bit, captured Kela-ka- Bagicha. However, Company commander was injured during the attack. The next objective Managers Bungalow had literary been turned into a fortress with bunkers strewn around the area. The firing was on fixed lines, covering available gaps in the tea plantation rows and the approach from Kela-Ka-Bagicha. Because of loss of radio contact Alfa Company progress was not known and as such Bravo Company was tasked to capture Managers Bungalow. Alfa Company didnt know about Bravo Company being employed in its place from the planned direction. Luckily Alfas had taken a slight detour and angled with thrust on the rear side while Bravo targeted it from Kela-Ka-Bagicha side. Casualties were suffered which included Coy Commander of Bravo Company but not before Managers Bungalow had been captured. There, however, was one outstation silent; that of CO 2 {Major Shyam Kelkar}. Well along the direction and path of attack CO 2 {Major Shyam Kelkar} had led the attack, was struck with a bullet and had died on the spot.
Aftermath
Finally the Gazipur Tea Estate location had been captured and with this attack the command and control of 22 Baluch was split, the battalion headquarters slipped away from Kalaura, as 4/5 Gorkha Rifles {Frontier Force} advanced to Kalaura and occupied it on 6 December 1971. The Pakistanis had suffered heavy casualties; 15 dead Pakistani soldiers were found on the objective at Gazipur, and the Pakistanis carried away at least 15 of their dead and approximately 40 wounded. The Indians too had paid a heavy price; one officer- CO 2 {Major SG Kelkar} and 10 other ranks killed, 4 officers(Jassi Rawat, Viru Rawat, Sahrawat and Y.Bharat), two JCOs (Including Delta Senior JCO Subedar Bal Bahadur Thapa) and 57 other ranks injured.]
Respect to the 22 Baloch Regiment, your fighting tenacity, discipline, and valor is not forgotten.
