Page 6 - ch 18

Module - V India-Pakistan War-1965

Major Wars Post
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
Pakistani tanks were destoryed in Sialkot area alone. In all about 460 Sq Km of
Note
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
nd
war. As early as Sept 2 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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MILITARY HISTORY