The Glorious Saga of the Indian Army: Difference between revisions

== The Glorious Saga of the Indian Army ==

'''शूराबद्धु लोकस्य लभते पुनरपि सदा।'''

----

At dawn on '''22 October 1947''', tribal raiders crossed the Kashmir frontier. In rapid succession, they seized '''Muzaffarabad, Domel, and Uri'''. At Uri, state forces mounted a resolute defence, holding the raiders at bay for four crucial days. Their determined resistance proved decisive in preventing the immediate fall of the Valley.

----

The decisive engagement in the defence of Srinagar was fought at '''Badgam''', merely two kilometres short of the airfield, on '''3 November 1947'''. In this critical action, '''‘A’ Company of 4 Kumaon''' withstood repeated enemy assaults for six hours, successfully preventing the enemy from overrunning the airfield.

During this battle, '''Major Somnath Sharma''' displayed exceptional courage, leadership, and devotion to duty under intense fire—conduct that would later be remembered as a defining example of Indian military valour.

At first light on '''22 October 1947''', the raiders crossed the Kashmir frontier and advanced with speed and brutality. '''Muzaffarabad, Domel, and Uri''' fell in rapid succession. At Uri, however, the State Forces mounted a determined defence, holding the enemy at bay for four critical days. This resolute stand proved decisive; it delayed the invaders long enough to prevent the Valley from being overrun and subjected to widespread plunder.

The decisive engagement for the defence of Srinagar was fought at '''Badgam''', barely two kilometres short of the Srinagar airfield, on '''3 November 1947'''. In this critical battle, '''‘A’ Company of 4 Kumaon''' repulsed repeated enemy assaults and held its ground for six hours under intense pressure. In the course of this action, '''Major Somnath Sharma''' displayed exceptional courage, inspiring leadership, and supreme devotion to duty—conduct that would stand as a benchmark of Indian military valour.

On '''5 November 1947''', '''Major General Kalwant Singh''' assumed command of Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir. With the immediate defence of Srinagar secured, the initiative now passed to the Indian Army. The moment had arrived to take the battle to the enemy.

Together, these sustained and coordinated operations marked the decisive transition of the Indian Army from defence to offence—demonstrating superior leadership, endurance, and battlefield resolve in the face of determined opposition.

In early '''May 1948''', Indian forces in '''Jammu and Kashmir''' were comprehensively reorganised to prosecute sustained offensive operations. The '''Northern Sector''', extending from '''Uri to Leh''', was placed under '''Uri Division''' (later redesignated '''19 Infantry Division'''), commanded by '''Major General K. S. Thimayya'''. The '''Western Sector''', stretching from '''Rajouri to Jhangar''', was entrusted to '''2 Airborne Division''' (later '''26 Infantry Division'''), under '''Major General Atma Singh'''. Overall operational control of these campaigns rested with '''Lieutenant General K. M. Cariappa''', '''GOC-in-C, Western Command'''.

During renewed enemy attacks on '''Jhangar'''—which had been recaptured by Indian forces in March—'''Brigadier Usman''', a distinguished and inspirational leader, was killed in action on the night of '''3 July 1948'''. His death marked a grievous loss and stands as a testament to the supreme sacrifices made by Indian commanders and soldiers in the defence of the nation.

While Indian forces were making steady gains in the western sector, the enemy sought to outflank the Valley from the '''north''', advancing through the '''Gilgit axis'''. By late '''April 1948''', raiders had passed through '''Gurais''' and reached the vicinity of '''Wular Lake''', posing a grave threat to the heart of Kashmir. Their eviction demanded sustained and coordinated effort, particularly in terms of airlift, logistics, and engineering support under extreme terrain and weather conditions. After determined operations, '''Gurais was recaptured by Indian forces on 28 June 1948''', restoring control over this critical northern approach.

With these operations, the northern thrust was effectively contained, and the threat to '''Leh''' was finally eliminated—securing India’s strategic hold over Ladakh and reaffirming the Indian Army’s capacity to prevail under the most demanding conditions of high-altitude warfare.

Pakistan never reconciled itself to the setback suffered in the '''Tithwal sector''' and launched repeated counter-attacks in an attempt to dislodge Indian forces. In the process, the enemy succeeded in occupying certain tactically important features and maintained constant pressure through harassment and local assaults. During one such action, '''Company Havildar Major Piru Singh of the Rajputana Rifles''' made the supreme sacrifice while defending his position, exemplifying the highest traditions of courage and selflessness.

----

The '''Royal Indian Air Force''' played a decisive and multifaceted role in the Jammu and Kashmir operations of '''1947–48'''. Detachments operating from '''Srinagar, Amritsar, and Jammu''' conducted offensive reconnaissance over enemy-held territory and ensured the continuous airlift of ammunition, supplies, and reinforcements to beleaguered garrisons. Air strikes and sorties were carried out over a wide area, extending from '''Domel to Mirpur'''.

Operation Polo thus concluded swiftly and decisively, ensuring the peaceful integration of Hyderabad into the Indian Union and reaffirming the authority of the Indian State through disciplined, restrained, and effective military action.

A parallel advance was undertaken along the '''Vijayawada–Hyderabad axis''' by the '''Eastern Striking Force''', comprising '''2/5 Rajputana Rifles Group, one tank squadron, and ancillary elements'''. The force advanced rapidly until it encountered organised resistance near '''Suriapet''' at '''0830 hours on 14 September'''. The position was held by '''5 Hyderabad Infantry''' supported by '''1 Hyderabad Lancers'''. After a deliberate and methodical engagement, the enemy position was reduced by '''1600 hours'''. Enemy losses amounted to '''35 killed''' and '''50 captured'''.

The '''easternmost column''', '''2 Para Maratha''', advanced along the '''Sanquelim–Usgao–Ponda axis''', reaching '''Ponda''' at '''1345 hours''' on '''18 December'''. The town was stabilised, and the column conducted patrols in the '''Ponda–Benastarim sector''', establishing contact with the rear elements of '''1 Para Punjab''' on the morning of '''19 December'''.

----Operation Vijay thus unfolded with speed, coordination, and restraint, culminating in the swift collapse of Portuguese resistance and the successful liberation of Goa—bringing to a close more than four centuries of colonial rule on Indian soil.

'''63 Infantry Brigade''' advanced into '''Goa''' from '''Anmod''' in two columns. The '''right column''' ('''2 Bihar''') progressed along a track, while the '''left column''' ('''3 Sikh''') advanced along the metalled road. The two columns linked up at '''Mollem''' and thereafter advanced towards '''Ponda''' on separate routes. On '''18 December''', '''3 Sikh''' was held up short of '''Darbandora''', while '''2 Bihar''' pressed on and halted at '''Candapar''' for the night. Meanwhile, '''4 Sikh''', the rear battalion, reached the '''Candapar river crossing''' around midnight.

In the Daman operation, Indian forces captured approximately '''600 Portuguese soldiers''', along with several '''guns and mortars'''. Indian casualties amounted to '''one JCO and three ORs killed''', and '''one JCO and thirteen ORs wounded'''. Portuguese losses were '''ten killed''' and '''two wounded'''.

----This coordinated and decisive execution of the eastern thrust underscored the Indian Army’s operational speed, jointmanship, and restraint—bringing Operation Vijay to a swift and conclusive end.

'''Diu''', the smallest Portuguese possession in India, was assaulted through a '''two-pronged operation'''—one thrust from the '''north-west''' and the other from the '''north-east'''. The north-western advance along the '''Kob–Forte do Passo–De Covo axis'''was undertaken by '''two companies of 20 Rajput''' with the tasks of establishing a bridgehead and securing the airfield. This effort, however, was checked by accurately sited '''medium and light machine-gun fire''' across the creek, which imposed severe constraints on movement.

The Sino–Indian Conflict of 1962 thus stands as a stark chapter in India’s military history—one of strategic failure, but also of individual heroism, endurance, and unwavering commitment to duty under the most adverse conditions.

In the eastern theatre, Chinese forces launched a major offensive against the '''Walong sector''' of the '''Lohit Division''' on '''22 October 1962'''. Indian positions in the area were held by '''6 Kumaon''', '''4 Sikh''', and elements of the '''Assam Rifles'''. From the outset, '''6 Kumaon''' fought with exceptional determination, inflicting heavy casualties on the attacking enemy. However, sustained pressure from superior Chinese numbers and firepower compelled the battalion to withdraw towards '''Walong''', where '''4 Sikh''' had prepared defensive positions.

In the battle of Walong, '''11 Infantry Brigade''' sustained approximately '''one thousand casualties''', including killed, wounded, and captured. For acts of gallantry during these operations, the brigade was awarded '''one Maha Vir Chakra''', '''nine Vir Chakras''', and '''one Mention-in-Despatches'''—a solemn recognition of the courage, sacrifice, and steadfastness displayed by Indian soldiers in the face of overwhelming adversity.

A second major theatre of operations during the '''Sino–Indian Conflict of 1962''' unfolded in '''Ladakh'''. By '''1959''', Chinese forces had already occupied '''Aksai Chin''' and had penetrated deep into the '''Galwan''' and '''Chip Chap valleys''', significantly altering the status quo. When India initiated measures to prevent further encroachments, China responded with a full-scale military offensive.

Each division was allotted appropriate '''armour and artillery''' to support its tasks. The corps objective was the '''capture of Pakistani territory east of the Ichhogil Canal'''. The offensive commenced at '''0400 hours on 6 September 1965'''.

Initial operations progressed favourably. The advance brigade seized '''Dograi''' in the opening thrust, established a bridgehead across the Ichhogil Canal, and advanced to '''Batapore''' on the outskirts of '''Lahore'''. However, these gains could not be exploited. Strong Pakistani counter-attacks, well supported by armour, compelled a withdrawal. A renewed attempt initiated on '''10 September''' achieved limited success. The sector’s defining action was the '''recapture of Dograi by 3 Jat''' at midnight on '''21 September''', during which Pakistani forces suffered approximately '''150 killed''' and '''100 captured'''.

Operations in the central sector were executed with speed and determination. Advancing along the '''Khalra–Barki axis''', '''7 Infantry Division''' completed its assigned tasks by '''11 September 1965'''. The hardest-fought engagement occurred at '''Barki''', defended by a dense network of bunkers. In a decisive night action, '''4 Sikh''' broke the enemy’s resistance and captured Barki by '''2130 hours on 10 September'''. The battle was costly, with heavy casualties on both sides.

The southern sector proved the most demanding. '''4 Mountain Division''' bore a dual responsibility: seizing Pakistani territory east of the Ichhogil Canal and '''containing a major enemy thrust''' along the '''Kasur–Khem Karan axis'''. Although the division achieved early gains, a powerful Pakistani counter-offensive arrested the advance. Indeed, Pakistan had planned a major armoured envelopment in this sector aimed at destroying '''XI Corps'''.

Indian forces made efforts to recover lost ground in this sector, but Pakistani troops retained their positions until the ceasefire, which denied further opportunities for decisive counter-action.

The '''right flank of XI Corps''' was secured by '''29 Infantry Brigade Group''', which attacked and captured '''Dera Baba Nanak''' on '''7 September'''.

----

The war lasted '''fourteen days'''. Pakistani forces in '''East Pakistan (now Bangladesh)''' were decisively defeated, with approximately '''93,000+ personnel''' taken prisoner. In the west, Indian forces occupied substantial areas of Pakistani territory.

As the IPKF had been deployed under a peace accord, India agreed to a '''phased withdrawal''' when the Sri Lankan government later expressed its desire for the force’s departure. The final contingent of the IPKF left Sri Lanka on '''24 March 1990'''. In the course of its mission, '''more than 1,000 Indian soldiers''' laid down their lives in the cause of peace—an enduring testament to India’s commitment to regional stability and responsible international engagement.