Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of India's Greatest Military Victory

10 Dec 1971 : Western Sector:  Fighting flared up once again in the Chamb area with Pakistani troops making another concentrated effort to break trough the Indian Defence lines.

The attack aimed at securing the western bank of the Manwar Tawi would have resulted in the Capture of Jaurian and maybe the Akhnur Bridge in what would have been a repeat of the 1965 Scenario in Chamb. More importantly it would have outflanked our troops and forces conducting operations in the chicken neck area and the Shakargarh bulge.

However ably aided by the Indian Air Force, the Army had beaten back the attack. At approximately 6.30 am, troops of the Pakistani  III Brigade consisting of 4 Punjab and 10 Baluch , supported by T-59 tanks of the 28 Cavalry  attempted to cross at Darh and suceeded in establishinga bridghead on the East bank.

The Indian unit in the area, 9 Jat along with another battalion that reinforced it subsequenlty ambushed Pakistani troops trying to make thier way into the bridgehead. This was followed up by an attack by T-55 tanks of Indian 9 Deccan Horse and the 72nd Armoured Regiment.

By evening, Pakistani troops have begun evacuating the bridgehead , not able to take the onlslaught of the Indian Army's attacks.

Six of the Pakistani T-59 tanks have been left behind and have been captured by us. One of them is in running condition.

A radio transmission intercept also mentioned that a Pakistani Army Helicopter crashed in the rear areas, killing a high ranking officer of the Pakistani forces. This coupled with our air attacks seemed to have demoralised the enemy completely.

The Indian Air Force too was active in this area, providing Air support for the Army and also flying sorties against the Pakistani Air Force. One Hunter aircraft from the No.27 Squadron, flown by Sqn Ldr M K Jain was seen being hit by ground fire subsequently crashing.

Another Hunter of No.20 Squadron was damaged when they were bounced by F-86 Sabres of the Pakistani Air Force. However the leader of the formation, Squadron Leader R N Bharadwaj, deflty maneuvered his aircraft and shot down one of the attacking enemy aircraft. The shot down Sabre crashed in our territory. The damaged hunter flown by Fg Off B K Karumbaya landed safely back at Pathankot.

Another Hunter flown by Flt Lt A A Rozario , was damaged by Ack Ack fire and carried out a belly landing back at Pathankot

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