Read on Twitter
Thread 1/18
Battle of Hajipir Pass 1965
Though many Indian army units participated in this battle but Iâll be writing about 1 Para Battalion for itâs daredevil and heroic action .
Special thanks to @Aadhiraspeaks for motivating me to write this up.
Battle of Hajipir Pass 1965
Though many Indian army units participated in this battle but Iâll be writing about 1 Para Battalion for itâs daredevil and heroic action .
Special thanks to @Aadhiraspeaks for motivating me to write this up.
2/18
Battle of Hajipir Pass 1965
Pakistan had joined CENTO and SEATO in September 1955. India, under Nehruj, the architect of the Non Aligned Movement, chose to remain nonÂaligned. Pakistan benefited greatly from US and modernised its army between 1954 to 1965,
Battle of Hajipir Pass 1965
Pakistan had joined CENTO and SEATO in September 1955. India, under Nehruj, the architect of the Non Aligned Movement, chose to remain nonÂaligned. Pakistan benefited greatly from US and modernised its army between 1954 to 1965,
3/18
The armed forces had taken over Pakistan Government after a military coup in October 1958. General Ayub Khan became the new president of Pakistan.
Pakistan attempted to capture Kashmir infiltration of a large number of militias in August 1965 code named OPERATION GIBRALTAR.
The armed forces had taken over Pakistan Government after a military coup in October 1958. General Ayub Khan became the new president of Pakistan.
Pakistan attempted to capture Kashmir infiltration of a large number of militias in August 1965 code named OPERATION GIBRALTAR.
4/18
Op Gibraltor was a bold and brilliant plan but misfired as most were picked up by the Indian intelligence and rest escaped back to Pakistan. The local population of Kashmir helped Indian agencies in thwarting this plan .
Op Gibraltor was a bold and brilliant plan but misfired as most were picked up by the Indian intelligence and rest escaped back to Pakistan. The local population of Kashmir helped Indian agencies in thwarting this plan .
5/18
The Indian Army concluded that the only way to stop such infiltration was to retaliate by crossing the CFL boldly and plugging the routes used by the raiders and the areas used by their supporters.
The Indian Army concluded that the only way to stop such infiltration was to retaliate by crossing the CFL boldly and plugging the routes used by the raiders and the areas used by their supporters.
6/18
In addition to many heights captured as part of Indian Army operations , it was
also decided to capture the Hajipir Bulge, which was an important hub of Pakistani infiltration operations against India.
In addition to many heights captured as part of Indian Army operations , it was
also decided to capture the Hajipir Bulge, which was an important hub of Pakistani infiltration operations against India.
7/18
The task of capturing Hajipir Pass and the Bulge was given to 19 Infantry Division and the corps reserve of 68 Infantry Brigade was placed under the command of 19 Infantry Division for the operation which was code named OP BAKSHI.
The task of capturing Hajipir Pass and the Bulge was given to 19 Infantry Division and the corps reserve of 68 Infantry Brigade was placed under the command of 19 Infantry Division for the operation which was code named OP BAKSHI.
8/18
Hajipir bulge was occupied by enemy strength of one brigade including some POK battalions .They  had well prepared defences supported by artillery.
Hajipir bulge was occupied by enemy strength of one brigade including some POK battalions .They  had well prepared defences supported by artillery.
9/18
A frontal assault on the pass would have caused of casualties and unlikely to succeed. Difficult approach was considered to have better chances. The plan of action involved attack from the west and east converging on Hajipir.
A frontal assault on the pass would have caused of casualties and unlikely to succeed. Difficult approach was considered to have better chances. The plan of action involved attack from the west and east converging on Hajipir.
10/18
THE BATTLE
68 Brigade under command of Brigadier Z A Bakshi crossed the CFL in two columns on August 26. 1 PARA crossed to the west and commenced its attack on Sank; a formidable feature with well prepared defences, barbed wire and mines at night.
THE BATTLE
68 Brigade under command of Brigadier Z A Bakshi crossed the CFL in two columns on August 26. 1 PARA crossed to the west and commenced its attack on Sank; a formidable feature with well prepared defences, barbed wire and mines at night.
11/18
It  was raining heavily and it was a difficult climb. The attack was silent. The troops reached the top of the feature at 0415 hours next morning.
The enemy were completely surprised and fled leaving behind their heavy weapons including machine guns .
It  was raining heavily and it was a difficult climb. The attack was silent. The troops reached the top of the feature at 0415 hours next morning.
The enemy were completely surprised and fled leaving behind their heavy weapons including machine guns .
12/18
1 Para continued their attack on Sar, the next feature and captured it by August 27.The Indian casualties in the attack were 21 wounded. The enemy casualties were 10 killed, 40 wounded and one taken prisoner.
Major Ranjit Singh Dayal, who was the hero of the battle.
1 Para continued their attack on Sar, the next feature and captured it by August 27.The Indian casualties in the attack were 21 wounded. The enemy casualties were 10 killed, 40 wounded and one taken prisoner.
Major Ranjit Singh Dayal, who was the hero of the battle.
13/18
He asked for permission to press on to the Hajipir Pass immediately which was granted. and they descended into the Valley, they came under fire . The non stop rain and mist made movement and direction keeping difficult.
He asked for permission to press on to the Hajipir Pass immediately which was granted. and they descended into the Valley, they came under fire . The non stop rain and mist made movement and direction keeping difficult.
14/18
On reaching the foot of the pass, Major Dayal decided to leave the track and climb straight up to surprise the enemy. He and his men climbed the difficult hillside by night carrying heavy loads through the rain. By morning hours they reached at the foot of the Pass .
On reaching the foot of the pass, Major Dayal decided to leave the track and climb straight up to surprise the enemy. He and his men climbed the difficult hillside by night carrying heavy loads through the rain. By morning hours they reached at the foot of the Pass .
15/18
They immediately  came under fire from the enemy, Major Dayal along with his men climbed the western shoulder of the Pass and then rolled down on the enemy from a side . The Pakistanis were completely surprised and ran leaving their weapons Thus 1 PARA captured the Pass .
They immediately  came under fire from the enemy, Major Dayal along with his men climbed the western shoulder of the Pass and then rolled down on the enemy from a side . The Pakistanis were completely surprised and ran leaving their weapons Thus 1 PARA captured the Pass .
16/18
28.
The enemy counter attacked on August 29 but 1 PARA repulsed the attack and held firm till the cease-fire.
Major Ranjit Singh Dayal was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his gallantry and leadership in the battle.
28.
The enemy counter attacked on August 29 but 1 PARA repulsed the attack and held firm till the cease-fire.
Major Ranjit Singh Dayal was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his gallantry and leadership in the battle.
17/18
On 16 January 1966 Tashkent Accord was signed by the PM, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and the President of Pakistan, General Ayub Khan wherein it was agreed that Indian and Pakistani forces will withdraw to their respective positions as prior to 5 August 1965.
On 16 January 1966 Tashkent Accord was signed by the PM, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and the President of Pakistan, General Ayub Khan wherein it was agreed that Indian and Pakistani forces will withdraw to their respective positions as prior to 5 August 1965.
18/18
Hajipir was returned . The return of this pass has been considered a major strategic blunder by many
Pics courtesy: Google
Hajipir was returned . The return of this pass has been considered a major strategic blunder by many
Pics courtesy: Google
