India-Pakistan War-1965 Module - V

Major Wars Post

Independence

18
Note
INDIA-PAKISTAN WAR-1965

Yet another war between India and Pakistan was fought in 1965. It was the second
conflict between the two countries over the state of Jammu and Kashmir. You are
aware of the problems of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan wanting Kashmir to be
part of it. Other than J&K, this time Pakistan raised a boundary dispute in the Rann of
Kutch in Gujarat. There were clashes between both the armies in the Rann of Kutch
from January 1965 onwards. In J&K Pakistan army sent Mujahideen forces in large
numbers to take over Kashmir. Both nations increased their hostilities towards each
other and finally a war broke out in September 1965. Pakistan was thoroughly defeated
in this war. International community consisting of USA and Russia prevented any further
escalation and the war came to an end on 23 September 1965. In this war the Air
Forces of both the countries participated and a number of aerial combats were seen.
Former New York Times reporter Arif Jamal wrote in his book Shadow War -This
time, India's victory was nearly total: India accepted cease-fire only after it had occupied
740 square miles, though Pakistan had made marginal gains of 210 square miles of
territory. Despite the obvious strength of the Indian wins, both countries claim to have
been victorious.

Objectives

After studying the lesson, you will be able to:

 explain the causes of war between India and Pakistan during 1965 and
 describe the areas involved in the battle and bring out the strategies adopted by
both the countries.

18.1 War between India and Pakistan (1965)

The war of 1965 was a combination of the 1947 Kashmir dispute and a territorial
claim in the area of the Rann of Kutch by Pakistan. It was Pakistan which started the
war.

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18.1.1 Rann of Kutch
Independence
Like other states Kutch was also a princely State in India. The marshy land of Rann of
Kutch is part of Gujarat. The Pakistani Government claimed some 9000 square
kilometers of the Rann of Kutch as being part of the province of Sindh. In 1956, the
Indian government established a security post in order to stop the possible infiltration
by Pakistanis. Following this, the Pakistani Government protested and expressed the
Note desire to have a peaceful solution to the problem. By 1960, several rounds of talks
were held between India and Pakistan in this regard. But all of them failed.

Map 18.1: Rann of Kutch

What happened in the Rann of Kutch in 1965?

1) In Jan 1965 Pakistan sent its troops into the Rann of Kutch and established a
track of 20 miles. They also set up a post at a place called Kanjerkote.
Subsequently Pakistan was often aggressive in this area by firing mortars and
artillery guns. A forward post was established by CRPF in the border and was
called Sardar Post. This post saw heavy attacks by the Pakistani army but was
always beaten back. They suffered heavy casualties too. India referred the matter
to the United Nations (UN). A protest was also lodged with the Pakistan
government.

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2) On 25th April 1965 Pakistan once again attacked Indian Sardar Post in Rann of
Independence
Kutch area. Though India could back her claim over Rann of Kutch with historical
facts, Pakistan could not produce any evidence supporting their claim over the
area. The British Prime Minister talked to both countries and requested to stop
the war. An international committee was set up to resolve the dispute. Both
countries agreed to accept the report of the committee. At 6.00 am on 30th June
1965 a ceasefire was declared. The International Committee gave India 90% of Note
the area and only 10% was given to Pakistan.
3) The ceasefire came about because of:
(a) The resistance put up by the Indian armed forces.
(b) The involvement of the British.
(c) Rainy season which flooded the entire area.
18.1.2 What happened in Jammu and Kashmir in 1965?
1) The next step after failure in the Rann of Kutch, by Pakistan, was to cause
trouble in Kashmir. Past 1962 war with China, Pakistan improved relations
with China. It now thought that it could now defeat Indian Army as it has not
done well against China. In August 1965 about 30000 well armed Pakistani
infiltrators crossed the borders under the protective fire cover of Pakistani regular
army, and entered into Jammu and Kashmir. They had the support of local
guerillas of Pak. Pakistan thought that the people of kashmir were not happy
with India and these fighters could cause a rebellion in Kashmir.
2) These guerilla infiltrators were the Mujahideen and Razackars. They were
divided into 10 Divisions under regular army commanders. The Operation was
code named as Op GIBRALTER by the Pakistani Army. On 5th August 1965,
two groups of Gibralter forces crossed the line of ceasefire and entered India.
On 9th August 1965, about 100 infiltrators attacked Poonch for several days
with heavy fire power but were defeated by India. This infiltration was confirmed
by the U.N Military Observer in India and Pakistan. India was left with no
option but to retaliate. On 15th August 1965 the Indian forces crossed the line of
ceasefire and occupied the Pakistan position at Kargil and the Haji Pir pass.
This action by India completely stopped the infiltration.

Intext Questions 18.1

1. Which Post of India did Pakistan troops attack in the Rann of Kutch Area in
1965?
2. How many Mujahideen were sent by Pakistan into Kashmir, in 1965?

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3. When did the Indian Forces cross the Line of Control in Retaliation?
Independence

18.1.3 The Real War

See the map 18.2. It will show the boundary between India and Pakistan after 1947
drawn in black dotted lines. This is the Line of Control as it exists even today. Pakistan
first started the war by sending army troops wearing local clothes to look like civilians.
Note But they were well armed with rifles and machine guns. They were supported in the
attack by guns firing from the Pakistani side of the border.

Map 18.2: Indo-Pak War 1965

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18.1.4 Indian Response Independence
(a) In the early hours of 1st Sep 1965, Pakistan started Operation GRAND SLAM
with artillery firing across the cease fire line in the Chamb sector in Kashmir. The
plan was to capture the important towns of Akhnoor and Jammu. The first attacks
came in Chamb because it was a plain country with mountainous terrain on the
west and the river Chenab on the east. Pakistan used armor and heavy artillery
Note
in this area, whereas it was unable to induct heavy armour and artillery in the
area because of a weak bridge across river Chenab. In the intital attack Pakistani
army could enter 5 miles deep into India.
(b) On 2nd September Pakistani aircraft started attacking Chamb-Jaurian road. This
was opposed by the Indian Brigade all by themselves without any artillery support.
The Pakistani tanks rolled into India without much effective opposition from the
Indian armed forces which did not have any heavy armed tank forces on their
side. In order to capture Akhnoor, Pakistanis fiercely attacked the Indian side.
Their next step appeared to be a massive thrust from Sialkot. Aim was to capture
Jammu and block the entire Indian army in Jammu and Kashmir including Ladakh.
(c) Meanwhile the Indian air force was called in. It was a quick decision taken by
Sh.Y.B. Chavan, Indian Defence Minister to give air support to the Indian army
in the Chamb sector. The Vampires and Mystere fighter planes of the IAF
attacked the enemy tanks, vehicles, and troops with maximum fire. 13 tanks, 2
artillery guns and 62 motor vehicles were destroyed. And it also stopped the
Pakistani attack. The Pakistani Air force was soon called out for counter offensive
action against IAF. Pakistan Airforce used the American made Sabre Jets F96
and F104 Starfighters. It was considered much superior to Indian Vampires and
Mysteres. It was also believed that the newly introduced fighter plane- the GNAT,
was not suitable against the Sabre. But the skills of the Indian pilots were so
great in the mid air attacks that Sabre aircrafts were soon shot down. The intensive
Air attack in the Chamb- Jaurian sector lasted from the 1st to 6th of September
1965.

18.2 Which other areas did we fight the war in 1965?

The Indian army launched massive attacks in Punjab in the areas close to Amritsar and
Faridkot on 06 September 1965. Airforce played an important role in the attack and
destroyed many tanks and aircrafts of the Pakistani forces.

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18.2.1 Lahore Sector
Independence
On 8th of September 1965, the Indian forces attacked areas all along the western
borders from Pathankot to Lahore. The aim was to capture Lahore and destroy
maximum weapons and equipment of the Pakistani army.Indian Army achieved great
success in all the battles fought in this Sector. A number of soldiers and officers showed
bravery and fought gallantly. Number of towns in Pakistan were captured. About 240
Note Pakistani tanks were destoryed in Sialkot area alone. In all about 460 Sq Km of
territory was captured. Indian Army reached out shirts of the town.
18.2.2 Rajasthan Sector
India opened a third front in Rajasthan sector to tie down the enemy forces in Sind. 11
Infantry Division carried operations on Barmer-Hyderabad (Pakistan) axis of this sector.
Gadra was occupied in the first sweep on 8 September and Pak Rangers were driven
out from many more areas of the desert.

Intext Questions 18.2

1. In which area of Kashmir did Pakistani Forces attack that resulted in the start of
1965 War?
2. Who was the Indian Defence during the 1965 War?
3. When did the operations by the Indian Forces start in the Lahore Sector?

18.2.3 Role of Air Force

The IAF gave substantial support to the Army in fighting the enemy on many fronts.
On the first day of war Indian Vampires and Mysteres struck heavy blows on Pak
armour, advancing on the Chhamb-Jaurian axis. Subsequently, IAF Canberras raided
major Pakistan Air Force bases at Sargodha and Chaklala at night. Pakistani bases at
Akwal, Peshawar, Kohat, Chak Jhumra and Risaiwala were also raided. The Mysteres
were employed primarily in the ground attack role whereas the Hunters were utilised
for bombing and close support missions, as well as flying combat air patrols. The Gnat
squadrons proved very effective in defending against enemy aircrafts. The astounding
success of the Gnat against the Pak F-86 earned it the title "Sabre Slayer". During this
conflict India lost 35 aircraft as against 73 by Pakistan.

18.2.4 Ceasefire
The UN Security Council took a serious view of the situation right from the start of the
war. As early as Sept 2nd 1965 the UN Secretary General U Thant appealed to both
India and Pakistan to stop the war. It also urged both the governments to cooperate
with the UN Military Observer Team. As part of the negotiations the Secretary General
met both the PM Lal Bahadur Shastri and the President Ayub Khan, and as a result

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the Security Council on 20th Sept 1965 passed a resolution unanimously on a clear Independence
cut ceasefire. On 27th Sep 1965 a mutual ceasefire agreement came into effect.
On the eve of the ceasefire India occupied nearly 700 sq miles of Pakistani territory.
Pakistan captured 196 Sq. miles. During the 22 days of war Pakistan lost 417 tanks
as against India's 123 tanks. The Pakistani loss in the air, was 73 aircrafts against
India's 35. The figures of losses are not accurate because each country will claim a
different figure against the other. However, it is fair to conclude that Pakistan lost much Note
more than India despite being numerically better in tanks, aircrafts and better American
weapons. It is not the weapon but the man behind the weapon that matters.

Activity 18.1
Search the internet and find the name of the Param Veer Chakra winners of 1965 war.
Find their images and make a collage.

Intext Questions 18.3

1. What are the major aircrafts that the Indian Air Force used during the 1965
War?
2. Who was the Prime Minister of India during the 1965 Indo-Pak war?

What You Have Learnt

 Overview of the 1965 Indo-Pak war.
 Operations in the Rann of Kutch.
 Military operations in the Kashmir Valley.
 Warfare in the Lahore and Rajasthan sectors.
 Role of the Indian Air Force in the War.
 How the ceasefire came into being.

Terminal Exercises
1. Write a brief note on the operations in the Rann of Kutch.
2. Describe the confrontation between India and Pakistan in the Kashmir Sector in
the 1965 War.
3. How did the Indian Air Force play a crucial role in the 1965 War?
4. Explain the reasons for ceasefire in the 1965 war.

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Answers to Intext Questions
Independence
18.1
1. Sardar Post.
2. Approximately 30000 Pakistan forces dressed as locals along with Mujahideen
and Razakars.
Note 3. On 15th August 1965.

18.2
1. Chamb Sector.
2. Sh.Y.B.Chavan.
3. 08 Sep 1965.
18.3
1. Mystere, Canberra and Hunter aircrafts.
2. Sh.Lal Bahadur Shastri.

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