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Revision as of 01:40, 8 July 2005 by Josh Parris (talk | contribs) (→References: ISBN)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Battle of Basantar or the Battle of Barapind was one of the vital battles fought as part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in the western sector of India. Despite being outnumbered, the Indian troops won a hard fought battle due to individual brilliance that secured the vital area in the Punjab/Jammu sector. The result was that more than 350 square miles of Pakistan territory was occupied by Indian forces. The name Battle of Basantar actually encompasses the entire gamut of battles and skirmishes fought in the Shakargarh sector.
Location of battle
Basantar river is a tributary of the Ravi River that flows in the states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. This battle took place in the Shakargarh Sector or the Shakargarh Bulge that includes Jarpal and surrounding areas. The bulge is a protrusion of Pakistan boundary into Indian territory. It was a strategic area for both sides as it comprised road links to Jammu from Punjab, which could be cut off by Pakistan if it wished to launch an offensive. It was also a economically vital for both sides as it straddled the fertile area of the Indus river belt.
Reasoning behind the battle
As the war began on the eastern front Pakistan decided to open up the western sector to divert Indian troops away and prolong the war. However Indian troops chose to attack right at the most offensive part of the Punjab sector in Shakargarh sector. This was despite taking into account that a main base of the Pakistan Army was at Sialkot, just a couple of hundred miles from the thick of the battle.
Battle plan
Both the opposing sides were led by I Corps. Pakistan's I Corp included three infantry divisions, an armoured division and an armoured brigade. The Indian I Corps had three infantry divisions, 2 Armoured Brigades, two independent artillery brigades and an engineer brigade. The aim of the Indian Army was to bridge the basantar river and take control of the Shakargarh bulge. Such an offensive would also secure the Pathankot army base from any attacks from Pakistan it was reasoned.
Awards
- Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour was awarded to Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, 17th Poona Horse
- Param Vir Chakra for Major Hoshiar Singh, 3rd Battalion, Bombay Grenadiers
- It was probably the first time in the history of wars, that an enemy recommended a soldier for an award. Colonel Mohammed Akram Raja was awarded Hilal-e-Jurat by the Pakistan Government on the basis of a citation written by Lieutenant Colonel, Ved Airy, who was Commanding Officer, 3Grenediars, Indian Army
References
- . ISBN 8174362622.
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