Saga of Strategy & Courage

Pakistan's superiority in armour was dealt a crushing blow by the splendid strategy and superior tactics of the Indian officers and jawans in the Khem Karan sector. It was here that a decisive tank battle was fought, the back of the enemy broken and Pakistan's 1st Armoured Division, consisting mainly of M-47 and M-48 Patton tanks, badly mauled. Brigadier Thomas K. Theograj commanded an Armoured Brigade which made kheema [mince-meat] of the Pakistani Army tanks in the epic battle of Assal Uttar (True North) at Khem Karan. The battle was so intense, that Brigadier Theograj could say only one word - MARO (SHOOT). After the battle, Brigadier Theograj proudly wore the badges of the Pakistani armoured regiments that had opposed him at Assal Uttar, namely the 4th Cavalry, the 6th Lancers, the 5th Horse and the 24th Cavalry.