#Must_Read Battle of Longewala: India-Pakistan War 1971 Indian Army - 120 Men, 1 Anti tank Jeep Pakistan Army - 2800 soldiers, 65 tanks, 138 military vehicles, 5 field guns and 3 anti-aircraft guns Battle of Longewala is known as one of the most crucial battles during the Indo-Pak war of 1971. This battle took place at Longewala, an Indian post near international border in the desert of Rajasthan. In spite of of the heavy attack from by armored regiment of Pakistan, a small number of Indian soldiers successfully held the post until they got air support and reinforcement.This victory of Indian Army and Air Force foiled the enemy plan to capture Jaisalmer Airbase and then the city of Jodhpur. The Longewala outpost was held by Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri and his 120 men. Apart from their usual rifles, the Indian men had only one Jeep mounted M40 anti-tank gun. The attacking Pak force had 2800 soldiers, 65 tanks, 138 military vehicles, 5 field guns and 3 anti-aircraft guns. Pakistani forces, led by Brigadier Tariq Mir, attacked Indian outpost on the intervening night of 4th and 5th December 1971. The attack began at 12:30 in the night. Indians had no time to lay a proper minefield -so they hastily laid as many mines as possible near to the outpost. As the column of 65 Pakistani tanks advanced the Indian soldiers patiently held fire. When the tanks were about 20 meters away -the Indians opened fire and using the only anti-tank gun they had they destroyed two foremost tanks in the column. The outpost was to get support from Indian Air Force but the IAF plane could not fly because they were not equipped with the night vision. So, the outpost was told either to hold ground until dawn or flee. Major Chandpuris men, brave as they were, decided to defend their post. And they did. They held the advance of Pakistani forces until the sun rose above the horizon. That rising sun brought nightmare for the Pakistani troops. The Indian Air Force sent four Hawker Hunter fighter jets to help the Indian soldiers. Pakistani troops had not planned for this. They had thought that they will easily win the outpost in the cover of night. But as the night waned they found IAF jets hovering over their heads. And then began destruction. For Indian jets the Pakistani tanks proved to be sitting ducks. The desert was open, no place to hide, tanks guns were not able to hit the aircraft and were under fire from the ground Indian soldiers. The Pakistani forces sent messages to ask for air support but the Pakistan Air Force was busy elsewhere. So, Indian jets had no resistance at all. 36 tanks of Pakistan were destroyed or captured, 200 soldiers were killed and 100 military vehicles were destroyed. Arrival of Indian jets had stopped the advance of Pak army -and when Indian tanks arrived -the Pakistani troops were forced to withdraw from the area. Major Chandpuris men destroyed 12 tanks whereas 22 tanks were destroyed by the Indian jets. Some of the tanks were captured by Indian forces. The IAF attack was led by Wing Commander M.S. Bawa. #Respect_Indian_Army #Jai_hind
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 17:28:52 +0000