Battle of Hilli
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| 1971 Indo-Pakistani War |
|---|
| Battle of Hilli – Battle of Longewala – Battle of Basantar |
Battle of Hilli or the Battle of Bogra was a major battle fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War. It is generally regarded as one of the most pitched battles that took place in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. The attack on the north western border town Hilli even preceded the war and there was continual fighting for nineteen consecutive days from November 22, 1971 to December 13, 1971. Sporadic fighting continued until December 16 when Pakistanis surrendered formally.
Battle
The main objective of the Indian Army was to control Bogra, thereby cutting off Pakistan forces in the north from the rest of East Pakistan. The best way of getting to Bogra was through Hilli. The frontal assault on the Pakistan fortifications took a huge toll on both sides - the Indian Army suffering the greater number of casualities - before Indian forces finally broke through.The Indian side consisted of the 20 Indian Mountain Division led by Maj-Gen. Lachhman Singh. The constituent units of this division were 66 Brigade, 165 Brigade, 202 Brigade and 340 Brigade (all infantry units), 3 Armoured Brigade, 471 Engineer Brigade and two artillery brigades augmented by 33 Corps Artillery. The ground troops were aided by aerial support provided by the Indian Air Force which had acquired air superiority in the east and were armed with rockets, guns, napalm and 100 lb bombs.
The Pakistan Army forces were a single brigade, 205 Brigade, led by Brigadier Tajjamal Hussain Malik (who would later retire as a Major General). He put up a stiff resistance that earned praise from many quarters, and had prepared a stout defence with tactical finesse. He had placed screens along the railway line nearby and at the Railway Station complex in the area. The defensive positions were sited in depth to cover all routes leading into East Pakistan. As the Indians closed in he decided to fall back and join a battalion at Naogaon from where he intended to continue and fight. However, en route his orderly was shot dead and he was caught badly wounded and semi-unconscious by the Indian Paratroopers and Mukti Bahini. However his valour and military thinking during this war was appreciated by General Niazi as he later recollected in his book and even the Hamoodur Rahman Commission highlighted this "determined battle" in its report.
On December 16, Major General Nazar Hussain surrendered to the Indians at the Battle of Hilli. On the same day, General A. A. K. Niazi, commander of Pakistan Army in the east surrendered.
The battle was a significant one as it involved great personal valour on both sides. This is highlighted by the fact that soldiers on either side won their nation's highest military honours. This battle was also unique in that it had started before the official start of the India Pakistan war but continued right until the formal surrender of Pakistan. Unlike other battles in the East where the invading army dominated, Pakistan forces gave a very good account of themselves before the combined might of the Indian military managed to occupy the area. After the war the Indians had sent a team of experts to study the battle on the ground and determine reasons why such a heavy force as described above could not break through that sector till the end.
Awards
- Lance Naik Albert Ekka, 14 Guards of the Indian Army, who fought in this battle, received the only Param Vir Chakra to be awarded in the Eastern Sector during the 1971 War.
- Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed of Pakistan won the Nishan-E-Haider, the highest military honour of the country.
See also
Further reading
- 'Story of my Struggle' by Major General Tajamal Hussain Malik
- Indian Sword Strikes in East Pakistan by Major General Lachhman Singh Lehl
- Victory in Bangladesh by Major General Lachhman Singh Lehl
References
- [Indian Air Force]
- [Defence Journal of Pakistan]
- Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report.
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