Ranjan Mahajan
There were major engagements between Pakistan and India during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 as part of the Sialkot campaign. It is well known as being one of the largest tank battles in history since the Battle of Kursk, which was fought between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany in World War II.
4th Battalion the Rajputana Rifles (Outrams), is one of the elite battalions of the Indian Army with a rich war history. Lieutenant Colonel PAR Chaudhary, VSM, Colonel Slim was the Commanding Officer of Outram’s which took part in this war.
On 07 Sep 1985 the Battalion spearheaded the advance of 1 Corps to Charwa and made a lightning attack and captured Charwa by early morning on 08 Sep 1965. The Battalion further advanced to Phillora, giving no respite to the Pakistani forces, withdrawing to the rear leaving behind two RCL guns mounted jeeps, three MMG, five LMGs and large quantities of ammunition.
As the assault commenced, Outram’s had to face very heavy volume of fire from the enemy positions but the dauntless Outram’s kept on moving forward without caring for their lives. During this time, Riflemen Mahi Lal showed exceptional courage and silenced the enemy’s Machine Gun. For this act of bravery, he was awarded Vir Chakra (Posthumously), the third highest gallantry award. With their valour and skills, the Outram’s captured the objective by midnight 7/8 Sep 1965. It was the very first victory for the Indian Army in Sialkot Sector.
On 15/16 Sep 1965 with Hudson’s Horse, Outram’s cleared the vill of Changa, Tallowali and Changora of enemy and then moved to capture the Alhar Railway Station on the Sialkot Chawinda-Pasrur line. In Spite of seven attempts by the enemy’s Armor and infantry to re-capture the Alhar Railway Station, the position was held, inflicting heavy losses to the enemy. It was the valour and spirit of Outram’s which held the thin red line against all odds.
Our palton having captured the given objective, crossed the line Pasrur- Sialkot and took hasty defences.
The Pakistan Army was fighting a pitch battle and there was heavy concentration of Pakistani tanks opposite us. Colonel Slim was known for his strong character and leadership. Worthwhile to mention here that he remained without any weapon and wearing his full ranks as he was always openly stating that “If I cannot be saved by my palton then we are not worth anything else”.
The enemy armour with a clear numerical superiority over us had already started advancing. The tank versus tank battle was happening ahead of us, but we suddenly witnessed our own armour, tactically withdrawing.
Keeping in view the strategic and tactical battle situation, orders were received from headquarters to immediately withdraw. But the ground situation was different.
Colonel Slim, called the Order “O” Group (main command elements of the battalion under any CO) and said that we have received the orders to withdraw, but my orders are that “we will not withdraw”.
Because if we withdraw now, the entire battalion will get butchered which I can not let happen and the battle will go into the hands of our adversary- Pakistan and will have a devastating turn off the tide. We were having a limited number of anti tank weapons and were low on ammunition as well.
He further ordered that no one will open fire till the time enemy tanks are within 50 metres of firing range. And also his orders were that we will not withdraw at any cost and give a bloody nose to the enemy and will either lay down our lives fighting or push the enemy back. This boosted the morale of the unit and everybody in their open trenches were getting ready for the close quarter battle.
As a matter of fact what I’m going to narrate now is the main turning point in the “Battle of Alhar” which proves the fact that the solid Indian Army Infantry Paltons and our brave young leaders can do wonders during war.
Guarding the main axis of advance of Pakistani tanks were officiating Charlie Company Commander, Lt (Later Brig) H S Sandhu (as the actual Company Commander Major Venu Gopal was evacuated after having suffered a splinter injury), RCL (Major anti tank weapon) Platoon commander, Lt D R Singh Yadav & 3 Inch Mortar (CO ka topkhana) was Lt (Later Brig) GL Verma. All three officers were with less than two years service. There was another equally dynamic NCO, Havaldar Kedar Singh who was the RCL platoon NCO.
Interestingly, our unit had arrived from a different formation, and we were handed over the RCL guns by a different Infantry Battalion. These weapons were to be zeroed and bore-sighted before war, but neither there was any time for it, nor was there much ammunition. Lt D R Singh Yadav had asked the Commanding officer for the same and there came the quick reply from Colonel Slim.. “Don’t worry, you will get real bloody targets of the enemy to zero your guns!!” And the same thing happened too.
Now on 20 September 1965, just 59 years ago, in the early morning hours, the troops guarding the main axis of advance of the enemy tanks under the team of brave Young officers and the RCL platoon witnessed advancing enemy tanks. They were tactically firing the main guns and giving covering fire to each other. On seeing this, Havaldar Kedar asked the company commander, Lt Sandhu permission to open fire and engage the tanks.
At this time, the enemy tanks were 300 to 400 m away, and Lt Sandhu told him that the CO’s orders are not to open fire till the enemy is within 50 m of range. At this time, the position of these three brave young officers was behind a huge tree taking the natural cover and protection. In the heat of battle, Havaldar Kedar once again submitted to the young Company Commander that if we permit enemy tanks to get more closer, the battle will be over, so order me to open fire.
This brave and dynamic young Company Commander Lt H S Sandhu issued orders to open fire. And the battle started. Havaldar Kedar fired the first tracer (spotter) round and it shot off the tank, second tracer hit closer to the tank and third tracer finally hit the tank. And there glazes the main gun, hitting the enemy tank in the perfect shot. And the second round hit the second tank. The third enemy tank also was hit simultaneously. All these three tanks caught fire and the enemy was seen jumping out of the tanks, running backwards. Effective 3 inch mortar fire under Lt GL Verma was also brought on the enemy causing heavy casualties and forcing them to withdraw.
With this brave action, the entire advance of the enemy tanks was brought to halt enabling a proper tactical withdrawal for the rest of the Indian Army from that area as required under the prevailing situation.
So the defiance of orders, firstly, Higher HQs orders by the CO and later orders of the CO by young Company Commander due to ground realities actually were the turning points of the battle in our favour. Havaldar Kedar was awarded the Vir Chakra, the third highest gallantry award.
As reported By higher HQs “Outram’s fought a gallant action against all odds on 19 & 20 Sep 1965, destroyed three enemy tanks by their RCL guns.
Later, the President of India honoured the Outram’s by awarding them the Theatre Honour- ‘Punjab’ and Battle Honour ‘CHARWAH’.
Brigadier and Mrs H S Sandhu presented a silver Trophy with embossed Alhar Railway Station to our Officers Mess.
(The author is ex-Maj Gen who was also commissioned into 4th Battalion the Rajputana Rifles (Outram’s)
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