Battle of Jassar Bridge
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Battle of Jassar Bridge, also known as Battle of Jassar Enclave, was a skirmish fought around August29, 1965. As part of the Lahore frontin Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. On September 6, 1965, Indian artillery began shelling Jassar Enclave, disrupting the tranquility of the old colonial bridge and Garrison Camp.The objective was to capture the Chenab River Bridge on Main Supply Route to Indian troops north of Akhnur to cut the main logistics supply line[1][2][3][4][5].Where the Pakistani army successfully countered this attack on Jassar bridge.[6]
Background
[change | change source]On August 29, 1965, General Akhtar ordered the Brigade Commanders to attack the Indian forces in Munawer Gap. On September 1, Pakistani 12 Division artillery began Operation Grand Slam, aiming to capture the strategic town of Akhnur and penetrate deeper into Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Western Command, led by Lieutenant General Harbaksh Singh, planned a blitzkrieg operation to capture the Jammu-Srinagar road. The Garrison Camp, a peacetime accommodation for the unit deployed on border security duty at Jassar Enclave, was resonating with comrades' opinions on whether India would violate the international border or release pressure on Aknur. The Indian Army Chief, General Chaudhuri, was given green signals to cross the Rubicon, but Chaudhuri was nervous about the situation. Under pressure from the Indian Prime Minister, comforting assurances from Corps Commanders, and persuasion from Lieutenant General Kashmir Singh Katoch,Chaudhuri decided to launch an offensive across the international border. The Indian offensive was a'self-defense measure', not a feint or diversionary attack as stated by the indian Army[7]
The Indian offensive on Jassar Enclave was a self-defense measure, rather than a feint or diversionary attack. The bridge provided Pakistan with an advantage of bringing troops across the river to the Indian side, which was considered a threat to Indian forces in Lahore and Kasur sectors. General J. S. Dhillon launched the 29 Infantry Brigade to capture the bridge, aiming to ward off the threat from the right flank. The Indians were anxious of Pakistan's breakthrough across River Ravi through Jassar Enclave, a ready-made bridgehead. Pakistan was also anticipating an Indian breakthrough from Jassar into Sialkot Sector. Despite these fears, the Indians launched an attack on Jassar Enclave, synchronized with 7 and 15 Divisions' attacks in Lahore Sector. The Gurkhas managed to capture the south-eastern exit of the bridge, while the Madrassis launched an attack on the flood embankments occupied by A Company of Pakistani 3 Punjab.[8]
Battle
[change | change source]Pakistani tanks emerged at the far end of the Jassar Bridge, causing a surge in morale among A Company and C Company. D Company was Bolstered by Bravo and Delta Companies, while 3 Punjab was reinforced by D Company 4 FF. On September 6 and 7, 2 Madras Battalion Made a quick attempt to rush 3 Punjab's positions, but faced resistance. Brigadier Pritam Singh intended to use 2 Rajputana Rifles to reclaim the southern end of the bridge, which had faced of twice . The Indian attack made slow progress due to defenders' oppostion. C Company, holding the southern exit of the bridge, faced heavy resistance from two Indian battalions and an Armour squadron. Despite the odds, the Company remained firm. The southeastern end of the bridge was returned to Indian hands after a three-hour fight. The Pakistani 15 Brigade prepared the bridge for demolition, with Lieutenant Muhammad Javed commanding the platoon. The first Indian attack fell on two forward platoons of 3 Punjab at the far end of the bridge.[9][10][better source needed]
Aftermath
[change | change source]Lieutenant Javed, a team of courageous sappers, successfully prepared the Jassar bridge for tearing-down within two hours of the initial Indian attack on September 65. The bridge was under hefty enemy shelling and automatic fires, but Lieutenant Javed and his team fought through the night and up to 1600 hours until a Triumphent counterattack on the far bank of the bridge by tanks of 33 TDU and platoon of 3 Punjab met Fortunate. After the successful counterattack, Lieutenant Javed supervised the task of fixing charges and connecting the firing circuit. On September 7, a party of the enemy ambushed the home bank of the bridge, but Lieutenant Javed and Naik Abdul Aziz prevented them from breaking the firing circuit. The demolition was completed by 0130 hours on September 7.6. The 29 Indian Brigade was placed under 4 Mountain Division and launched pointless Indian attacks to capture Khem Keran on September 22. During the remaining days of the war, Jassar Enclave witnessed only artillery duels and a few airstrikes.[9][10][6][source?]
See also
[change | change source]References
[change | change source]- ↑ "1965 War — their finest hour". Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ↑ "1965 War — their finest hour". The Express Tribune. 2023-09-06. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ↑ "The spirit of 1965". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ↑ Malik, Saleem Akhtar (2018-09-06). "The graveyard of Indian tanks: the battles in the Sialkot sector in the 1965 war". Global Village Space. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ↑ "Battles that Made History – Defstrat". www.defstrat.com. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chaudhry, Shafqat Hussain (1980). "The Un Strategy for a Cease-Fire in the 1965 War". Strategic Studies. 3 (4): 69–95. ISSN 1029-0990. JSTOR 45181510.
- ↑ said, Naveen Raheja on (2023-09-22). "India-Pakistan War 1965: A Reappraisal". Indian Defence Review. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
- ↑ Amin, Agha H. (2021-01-01). "WHAT HAPPENED AFTER 420 FEET LENGTH OF JASSAR BRIDGE WAS DESTROYED? A MUCH WHITE WASHED, SUPPRESSED AND DOWNPLAYED PART OF PAKISTAN ARMY MILITARY HISTORY". Pakistan Military Review.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Chaudhry, Shafqat Hussain (1980). "The Un Strategy for a Cease-Fire in the 1965 War". Strategic Studies. 3 (4): 69–95. ISSN 1029-0990. JSTOR 45181510.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Col SG Mehdi MC The passing away of a Great Warrior - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 2023-11-12.