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The India – Pakistan War of 1965.
September is the anniversary of the India – Pakistan War of 1965.
The 1965 war was a watershed for both India and Pakistan.
Though we were able to defeat the neighbour in East Pakistan and help create a new nation, Bangladesh, we still continue to receive the aftershocks of the wars even after more than five decades. Kashmir remains a festering wound for both sides.
During the 1965 war, the superpowers, USA and the Soviet Union, were pressing for a cease-fire. Prime Minister Shastri asked the Army Chief for a report. He informed the PM that 80% of the arms and ammunition were exhausted and we could not continue the war for more than three days. Shastri was thus forced to agree to the ceasefire proposed by the Soviet Union.
A later enquiry found that only 30% of the arms and amunitions had actually been used in the war.
India returned the Kargil heights captured at great cost, on the UN guarantee of the safety of the Srinagar – Leh Highway. In later years, we had to sacrifice hundreds of men in another Kargil war to recapture the heights and ensure the safety of the Srinagar – Leh road. The road is the crucial link that ensures the safety of the Srinagar valley and beyond.
The book reveals some shocking facts.
There was a total failure of military intelligence in the 65 war.
India could not achieve the objective of capturing Lahore. The Army was unaware that Pakistan had constructed three underground aqueducts under the Ichogil Canal ( constructed to protect Lahore), through which the Pakistani Patton tanks were able to cross over to the Indian Punjab.
There was command failure among the Pakistan Army too. They could have easily captured the Akhnoor bridge and cut off Srinagar, but withdrew inexplicably, allowing time for the Indian troops to regroup.
Both the countries could ill afford the
horrific costs of yet another war.
The book, edited by military experts SN Prasad and UP Thapliyal provides deep insights to the conduct of the 1965 war, considered as a draw, with both sides gaining little.
– Joy Kallivayalil.
