Located just 30 miles from the international border in the district of Kutch in Gujrat,Bhuj has been one of the most bombed Indian Airbase in the 1965/1971 wars.
It was completely destroyed by PAF in the 1971 war.The runway was raided 35 times in 14 days with attacks by 92 bombs and 22 rockets(Indian source).Relentless bombing raids by PAF petrified the enemy as depicted in the video below(Alas there had been no plans to capture it).
Today it houses the 27 wing of IAF ,an element of South Western Air Command,,with rotations between Jaguars and Su 30MKI.
The Airbase shares its runway with the civilian airport.
Bhuj is the headquarter of Kutch district and becomes an island during high tides,surrounded by the Arabian Sea to the West,the Rann of Kutch to the North and the Gulf of Kutch to the South.
This Peninsula/island has a population of only 2 million and an area of 45,674 km2 (17,635 sq mi). Twenty five percent are non Hindus with ancestral links to Sindh. Bhuj and Jamnagar(Shurashra,Gujrat) Airbases are primarily assigned to protect the vital trading ports in the Gulf of Kutch.
Deeply concerned of the REGIONS vulnerability the Indians are always on their toes. During Kargil they shot down our unarmed Atlantic aircraft,and every other day they accuse us of sending Commandos or armed men to destabilise the economic zone.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/inter...-report-on-explosives-boat/article6751191.ece
https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/n...heightened-at-kandla-mundra-ports/824701.html
The Region cannot house heavy military equipment like Tanks and Artillery because of the nature of the terrain.
Most of the border fencing light poles are non functional .
https://zeenews.india.com/india/of-...al-along-gujarat-pakistan-border-2165842.html
Between the Border and the Bhuj Airbase is a place called Kala Dungar,458m above sea level. It is the highest point in Kutch where the international border and Bhuj Airbase can be viewed.Surely a vantage point for any foe(Pakistan) seeking to take area dominance.
On 7 September 1965, the PAF parachuted 135 para commandos at three Indian airfields (Halwara, Pathankot and Adampur). The daring attempt proved to be an "unmitigated disaster" as these troops landed in residential areas.Well things have changed exponentially since then, a full Division of SSW(
Special Service Wing)is fully operational,where each commando is trained for multiple tasks.They are occasionally sent to the United States for advanced training with the
1st Special Forces Group and the
75th Ranger Regiment in
Fort Lewis,
Fort Bragg and
Fort Benning.
Apart from other numerous skills SSW can take over or construct an airstrip, set up navigational equipment, and direct airplanes and helicopters to a safe landing without the use of a tower or elaborate communications system. They can also control air attacks of fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft from all military services.
In the event of hostilities our Naval Marines can compliment our SSW to fill in the numbers, provide alternative sea extraction routes,support logistics and other offensive duties.
In all the war scenarios capturing Bhuj Airbase is the most viable option and i am sure the
surprise we are told about can be this one as well. Nature has made the REGION a weak defending ground,and the amount of territory at grabs can be a good trade off with the Kashmir Valley!!!!
On a sarcastic note Bollywood is making a movie of our hammering of Bhuj ,with Ajay Devgan as its beleaguered base commander in 1971.