For smooth Ad free experience
The precursor for the 1970 Indo-Pak war, the battle that shook the morale of the enemy, reminding everyone that the Sikh battalion is the bravest there, and giving the much-needed boost to the Indian troops for the war that was to come.
Happened on 21st November 1971
Nobody said that life after independence was going to be easy, but nobody told us we'd have to face so many troubles from our neighboring nations.
Since the partition, it seemed that India and Pakistan had been two separate entities from the beginning. It's as if the border always existed. Perhaps, this strain was the price we paid for our liberation. While there was hope that Pakistan wouldn't want to sever its ties with India, our worst fears came to life when Pakistan constantly conspired against us and threatened our sovereignty.
A part of Pakistan lay in the East (now known as Bangladesh). The culture, languages, and lifestyle of the people over there were more similar to the Bengali culture in India than that of Pakistan. To regain its foothold and assert its authority, Pakistan began moving troops into erstwhile East Pakistan.
Before the Indo-Pak war of 1971 began, a battle took place in a small village 100 km from Kolkata.
The battle of a Garibppur served as a precursor for the peril that we had to overcome.
12 days before the official commencement of the Indo-Pak war, 1971, a battle broke out. The Pakistan Army went on a killing spree. Basically, it unleashed genocide in the area. When they got to know that the Mukti Bahini was being trained by the 14 Punjab (Nabha Akal), Pakistan unleashed terror in the Indian territories as well. It became a priority for the Indian forces to secure and occupy some strategic points in East Pakistan.
Keeping in mind the safety of India, it was decided that Fatehpur and Garibpur had to be occupied. Garibpur had to be secured by 21st November 1971. However, the Pakistani Army got a whiff of the plan, and a battle broke out. Since Pakistan's forces already lay armed Chaugacha and Jessore, they retaliated with heavy fire to the 14 Punjab's entry across the Boyra Salient.
Back then, Pakistan was highly favored by the USA and it was unsurprising when the Pakistani troops were armed with weapons of superior quality and the M24 Chaffee tanks. The 14 PT-76 tanks of India, though inferior to the machinery and weaponry of Pakistan, were able to defeat the enemy.
The Punjab squadron has a history of bravery. Despite the poor resources, they thwarted the enemy's attacks vigorously. As the sun rose and the fog lifted, an increasing amount of casualties became visible on the enemy's side.
The PAF and the IAF swooped in also. The fighters on the ground had a view of the combat. Pakistani pilots were taken as Prisoners of War, and when it was seen that the Indian Gnats dominated the airspace, the PAF stopped sending its sabers. Thus, paving an uninterrupted way for the battalion to occupy Jessore.
Naturally, the battle had repercussions.
General Yahya Khan raised the allegation in the UN that India had violated the UN Charter. But Indira Gandhi was tactful and determined to match any antics and responses that Pakistan might throw at us.
The battle of Garibpur was a message that fights can be won as long as the military is tactful, determined, and brave.
Even though the Punjab battalion also lost a few soldiers, they were all honored for their heroic actions.
Even today, the villagers of Garibpur reminisce about the battle. They remain grateful and indebted to the Indian army and the ones who laid down their lives. A memorial has been dedicated to the martyrs of the Nabha Akal and the Mukti Bahan.
The extensive damage and loss borne by the Pakistani army left their morale broken. They contemplated how the Indian troops, even with inferior weaponry defeated them in battle.
While India lost some of its bravest and best soldiers in this fight, the grit and determination of the Nabha Akal gave the Indian forces the much-needed boost for the bigger war to come- the Indo-Pak war of 1971.
You might be interested in reading more from
