#TodayInHistory Pakistan launches Operation Grand Slam in 1965, to seize the vital Akhnoor Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, which in a way would begin the '65 War. However this attempt ended in failure.

Akhnoor is a small town in Jammu, known for it’s ancient fort, located on the banks of the Chenab river. It is believed to be the site of the Virat kingdom in Mahabharata.

Now while Operation Gibraltar proved to be a failure, both the sides however had managed to take control of some of the critical areas post the operation. While Pakistan had control over Uri, Poonch sectors, India had captured the critical Haji Pir Pass.

Operation Grand Slam, was launched on September 1, 1965, to capture the town of Akhnoor in Jammu. It would result in the cutting off communications and supplies to the Indian troops and also ease pressure on the 12th division while protecting Muzaffarabad.

Also Akhnoor sector did not have a very strong Indian defense, and this is what Pakistan had calculated upon. Just four infantry batallions and couple of AMX-13 tanks that were no match for the massive Patton tanks which Pakistan had.

Even in artillery, the Pakistan Army had an edge with it’s 8 inch guns. Pakistan started bombardment of the Chamb valley in the early hours of Sept 1, 1965, taking the Indian Army HQ there by surprise

The day saw the heavily outnumbered Indian forces suffering heavy losses under the bombardment by the Pakistani artillery and tanks. However on Sept 2, 1965( Day 2) Pakistan inexplicably changed their commander Maj Gen Akhtar Hussain Mallik, with Yahya Khan of 7th infantry.

The decision ensured that the momentum on Day 1 was lost, and the Indian forces also gained breathing time. It was an utterly daft decision, the attack was delayed by a day, which gave enough time for the Indian Army, to rush in reinforcements to Chamb.

By the time Pakistan resumed it’s attack on Day 3( Sept 3, 1965), the Indian Army had dug in well in the Akhnoor sector, with it’s reinforcements and were much better prepared too. However the Indian forces were still not in a position to launch a full scale counter attack.

The next two days were more or less a stalemate, with neither side making any significant gains. While the Indian forces dug in at Akhnoor and defended well, they could not launch a counter offensive, and neither could Pak army advance.

With Akhnoor turning out to be a stalemate, the Indian Army opened up a new front on Sept 6, 1965, in Punjab, crossing the International Border led by WWII veteran Major Niranjan Prasad.

Earlier they had forced Pakistani infiltrators out of Kargil too, taking control of the strategic town. It was a win-win strtagy ensuring that the Pakistan Army was forced to divert it’s resources to Punjab, easing the pressure on those in Kashmir.

While the Indian army initially suffered reverses at Icchogil Canal, they managed to cross the bridge at village of Barki east of Lahore. And soon the Indian Army was within the range of Lahore International Airport, closest they got to it.

The US requested a temporary ceasefire to evacuate it’s citizens.Three tank regiments of 2nd Independent Armored Brigade were involved in the attack on Lahore.

The Pakistan army blew up the bridges to prevent the Indian Army from advancing further, however the Jat 3 Regiment by this time, crossed Ichogil canal and captured the town of Batapore.

The Pakistani army counter attacked, supported by their air force, forcing 15th Division to retreat to starting point. Also there was a confusion of sorts, with the Indian High Command, having no idea of Jat 3 capturing Batapore, and asking them to withdraw back to Ghosal-Dial.

It was a total breakdown in communication, and a frustrated Lt Col Desmond Hayde, Commanding Officer of 3 Jat had to come back. Though Batapore would be captured again on September 21, this time it was in the face of far more stiff resistance.