Indian Grenadier Noshad Muhammad Khan killed a Pak Brigadier in Perfect Ambush.The brigadier was Muhammad Shafi arty.
'Our valour outclassed Pak's modern artillery'
TNN | Sep 4, 2015, 08.50 AM IST
"Bade Imam sahib, aap kahan hain, we have come to help you," shouted Pakistani soldiers, backed by Patton tanks, who had come to Asal Uttar, the region in Punjab which witnessed fiercest battle of the 1965 war between India and Pakistan. Two Indian jawans Mohammad Safeeq and Mohammad Naushad had killed Pakistan's Major General Naseer Ahmad Khan in the battle of Asal Uttar. And the Pakistani jawans were searching for Naseer Ahmad (Bade Imam), whose body they carried with them.
It was around 1.30 pm on September 10, 1965 when the two Indian Jawans had killed Naseer Ahmad, who was decorated with the title of Halal-e-zurrat by Pakistan posthumously. At around 10 am same day, India lost Abdul Hamid, one of the most courageous jawans, who had destroyed maximum number of Patton tanks of Pakistan army. Indian anti-tank missiles had destroyed more than 97 Pakistani Patton tanks.
Brig V K Vaid, VrC, VSM (Retd) was heading the platoon, which had heroes like Hamid. At his Jaipur residence, Vaid could recall the day about how they defeated the Pak forces in the battle of Asal Uttar, which foiled Pakistan's malicious plan to usurp Indian territory including Amritsar. "Papers seized from Pak tanks and some of the Pak war prisoners made startling revelations including their plan to capture Amritsar, block the GT road and also to reach up to Delhi," said Vaid.
Every year on September 10, people of Asal Uttar on road Khemkaran-Bhikiwind in Punjab, set aside their worries to rejoice and be happy. The whole area puts on a festive look of a rural fair. Livestock and agricultural exhibitions, rural sports and games and special programmes for children are organized which draw large crowds. On this day the local people join serving and retired defence personnel at the memorial of late CQMH Abdul Hamid, PVC to pay homage to those gallant men who made supreme sacrifice in the battle of Asal Uttar, in the 1965 Indo-Pak war. This important annual function has rightly assumed the importance of a state event because on this day the Indian Army units not only defeated Pak Army's grand designs but also broke its many myths.
Vaid recalls that the bravery of Hamid played most important role in defeating the Pakistani army, which. "It was sheer willpower and fearlessness that won the battle for India as Pakistan army at that time was well equipped with the latest technology patton tanks," Vaid recalled.
Talking about strategic importance of Asal Uttar, Vaid recalled that to divert Pak attention from Chhamb-Jaurian, Indian Army's 11 Corps had launched offensive operations in Western Sector (Punjab) to capture enemy territory up to Ichhogil canal and convert this formidable obstacle into our own defence line. By 5/6 September, the Indian Army units had captured their objectives and were leaning on this water obstacle. On September 7, when the Indian troops were still consolidating their foothold on Ichhogil canal, Pakistan had launched its I Armoured Division towards Khemkaran with the intention of capturing Harike and Beas bridges and to turn the flanks of 11 Corps defences. This Pakistani armoured thrust had secured the undefended Khemkaran town and was poised to move deeper inside Indian territory. Had the Pakistanis succeeded in their plans then they would have posed a direct threat to Amritsar and GT road. As there were no reserve formations to oppose this Pakistani thrust, the Indian troops were ordered to withdraw from Ichhogil canal and take up defences astride road Khemkaran — Amritsar, near villages Asal Uttar and Cheema and prevent enemy breakthrough at all costs. However by September 8, Pakistani armoured columns had over-run Indian forward defences and had moved deeper inside Indian territory.
The Decisive Battle
In order to bring forward supplies, Pakistani troops had to use road axis Khemkaran-Bhikiwind. Unfortunately for them this road was held by 4 Grenadiers of 7 Mountain Brigade. This unit, which was composed of Jat, Dogra and Muslim troops, had only 450 men when the war broke out. It had organised a compact strong point defence on the road near village Cheema, leaving no gaps for the enemy to get through without a fight. On September 8 when the troops were still preparing their trenches they were attacked by enemy tanks, some even entering the defended area. The Grenadiers, though without tank support, stuck to their fire position and their anti-tank gunners CQMH Abdul Hamid and Lance Naik Preet Singh destroyed four Patton tanks. Thereafter for three days and nights the enemy repeatedly attacked the unit defences using tanks, concentrated artillery fire and air attacks but could not clear the road. On 10th Sep at1000 hours, CQMH Abdul Hamid, who had already destroyed three tanks and was engaging another tank, he was fired upon and killed. He was awarded PVC, posthumously. On this day at 1300 hours, GOC Pak 1 Armoured Div, Maj Gen Nasir Ahmad Khan along with Brig A.R Shamim,C arty drove up in jeeps under the cover of tanks and Rcl guns. He wanted to see as to what was stopping the advance of his mighty formation. When they entered the defences they were fired upon from close range and killed. The Pakistanis not only lost their GOC but also 97 tanks, out of which 32 were in working condition. After September 10, the Pakistanis stopped their advance and went into defence.
Myths Broken
From the interrogation of Pakistani prisoners, it was revealed that their bold plans were based on some misconceptions and myths. The Pakistani soldiers were made to believe by their officers that each one of them was equal to the fighting potential of five Indian soldiers. They also believed that their Patton tanks would roll down the Indian countryside without opposition. This was proved wrong when Indian troops stemmed the advance of their armoured column by skilful use of Infantry anti tank weapons, artillery fire and mine fields. It was their over reliance on armour that they did not use Infantry troops to capture ground. It was noticed that there was mismatch between their men and machines. Though they had the most modern tanks but the crew members were not trained properly. They abandoned tank after tank when faced with slight opposition. The senior Pakistani officers misread the battle. In spite of preponderance of tanks, artillery and local air superiority they could not capture 4 Grenadier's defences occupied by only 450 troops. For three days they were not aware of the strength and layout of the unit defences. Their firm belief that Indian Muslims would welcome them with open arms was totally misplaced. The Muslims in Kashmir and later Indian Muslim soldiers proved them totally wrong. The Pakistani soldiers were told by their officers that they will be butchered if they became prisoners in the hands of Indian troops. They were pleasantly surprised when we treated them well. And last but not the least is the fight put by brave Indian soldiers, ably led by young officers, who in spite of being tired and hungry stood their ground against heavy odds. I salute all those who gave their life for their motherland. The nation shall remain indebted to the
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