45th VIJAY DIWAS CELEBRATIONS AT NATIONAL WAR MEMORIAL SOUTHERN COMMAND , PUNE

1. Vijay Diwas 2016 will be celebrated with the customary pomp and fervor on 16 December 2016 at National War Memorial, Southern Command, Pune. This day marks the splendid victory achieved by India over Pakistan 45 years ago. The “GREATEST VICTORY EVER” saw the emergence of Bangladesh as an independent nation and India rose as a regional power to reckon with. With this decisive over a formidable opponent the Armed Forces of India onc affirmed themselves as a strong component of National power.

2. The 1971 Indo Pak war began with Pakistan launching pre-emptive air strikes against 11 Indian airbases on 03 December 1971. The war was forced upon due to widespread genocide of people of East Pakistan carried out by an oppressive military reigned under General Yahya Khan of Pakistan. The war which was short and intense, was fought on both Eastern and Western fronts.  The 13 day war resulted in a complete surrender of Pakistani forces and the creation of Bangladesh. The Indian Armed   Forces reigned supreme over the Pakistani military in the battle fields. During the war, Southern Command valiantly defended the borders of the nation against any action by Pakistan.  The notable battles which were fought in the area of responsibility of the Southern Army included the famous Battle of Longewala where Pakistan’s armoured forces, their pride, were destroyed by resolute Indian troops. The raid on Pakistani town of Chachro carried out by soldiers of renowned 10 Para Commando Battalion led by Lt Col (Later Brig) Bhawani Singh, the erstwhile ruler of Jodhpur state was another famous military action. These battles have gone down the pages of history as fine examples of grit, determination and bravery of soldiers.

Battle of Longewala

3. The Battle of Longewala was fought between 04 December and 07 December 1971. This battle was one of the first major engagementsin the Western Sector during the war. Longewala is located in the Thar desert and was being defended by a Company of 23 PUNJAB commanded by Major (later Brigadier) Kuldip Singh Chandpuri.
4. The “A” Company faced with extraordinary odds of a huge armoured column of the Pakistan army was left with the choice of either attempting to hold out until reinforced, or fleeing. In the highest traditions of the Indian Army, the gallant soldiers decided to fight the enemy to the last man, last bullet. What resulted is stuff that legends are made of. The small band of Indian soldiers routed the Pakistanis and held on to the piece of land that they were tasked to defend. The Indian Air Force also played a major role in the battle which witnessed bravery of the highest order. A total of 34 Pakistani T-59 tanks belonging to 38 Cavalry of 18 Infantry Division were destroyed in the battle of which 12 were destroyed by the “A” Company which had only one anti-tank recoilless rifle.

5. The Battle of Longewala saw heavy Pakistani losses and low Indian losses. Since the Indians were able to use the defenders advantage, they managed to inflict heavy losses on the Pakistanis. Indian casualties in the battle were only two soldiers. Pakistan lost 200 soldiers as killed. The Pakistanis also suffered the loss of 34 tanks destroyed or abandoned, and lost 500 additional vehicles. This legendary battle reaffirmed the supremacy of the Indian soldier in the battle field and dissuaded Pakistan from carrying out any such mis-adventure in the rest of the Indo-Pak war which culminated on 16 December in a comprehensive Indian victory.  For this action Major KS Chandpuri was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra, the second highest gallantry award of India.

Raid on Chachro by 10 Para Commando Battalion

6. Raids are extremely difficult operations of war testing acme of skills. Operating behind enemy lines requires discipline, mental and physical fitness, agility and courage. Chachro Raid is one such operation under taken by 10 Para Commandos during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. In a surgical strike, 10 Para Commandos led by their iconic Commanding Officer, Lt Col Bhawani Singh, the erstwhile ruler of Jodhpur, went 80 Km deep inside Sind Province of Pakistan to raid and destroy enemy garrison at Chachro and other places of military significance in the vicinity.
7. The raid was carried out to meet all the goals set by the team of brave Paratroopers on the night of 05/06 December 1971. The force was divided into two groups each supposed to raid Umarkot and Chachro towns. But the plan was changed at the last moment to attack only Chachro town. Each force was mounted on Jonga 4X4 vehicles equipped with MMGs and packed with supplies. The attack on Chachro started at 3.00 am in the morning, “A” Group was led by the Maj G K Sanan and B Group was led by Maj B D Dogra, MVC. The raid was a resounding success and was the first such operation carried out by the Indian Army against Pakistan behind the enemy lines. A large amount of arms, ammunition and equipment was captured during the raid.

8. The Battalion, for this gallant action, was given the unique privilege to march past before the President on 26 January 1972. The whole battalion mounted on Jongas and Jeeps rode through Rajpath. No other battalion in the history of our nation has been bestowed with such honour.

9. The above are only two of the many gallant actions undertaken by the troops of Southern Command which facilitated a comprehensive victory for the Indian Army in an extremely short duration of 13 days. The Indo-Pak war of 1971 remains a major milestone in the military history of the world for the creation of nation through a short duration war and also for the large number of prisoners of war surrendered by the Pakistan army. Thus, 16 December is commemorated annually at all military stations as ‘Vijay Diwas’.