Phillora 1965: How India won one of South Asia's biggest tank battles

Business Standard

20-05-2025

The Battle of Phillora, which took place between September 10 and 12, 1965, in the Sialkot area of Punjab, Pakistan, was one of the largest tank battles since World War II. The battle was part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and was a decisive turning point for the Indian Army in the Sialkot offensive, soon followed by the larger Battle of Chawinda.
India's 1st Armoured Division led the assault, equipped mainly with Centurion tanks and supported by a lorried infantry brigade. The Pakistani counter consisted of its 6th Armoured Division and elements of the 15th Infantry Division, relying heavily on US-supplied M48 Patton tanks. The Indian Army captured Phillora on September 11, forcing a Pakistani retreat to Chawinda despite difficult terrain and weather conditions.
What role did terrain and weather play in the battle?
The Phillora sector was dominated by dense paddy, sugarcane and maize fields, making armoured manoeuvre difficult. Post-monsoon soil was soft, and visibility was poor. Indian forces capitalised on these conditions. The 1st Armoured Division used the tall crop cover to conceal movement and concentrate firepower without detection.
Indian troops advanced on a narrow 2,000-yard frontage in single-squadron-up formations for tighter coordination. Units like 17 Horse captured high ground northeast of Phillora, gaining advantageous firing positions.
Pakistani defences were built around conventional routes and were caught off guard by India's cross-country approach. Their static fortifications were outmanoeuvred, clearing the way for India's push.
What challenges did the Indian Army face in this tank engagement?
Indian forces encountered multiple operational difficulties during the three-day battle:
Terrain and weather: Waterlogged fields and heavy rain hampered tank and infantry mobility
Narrow approach routes: Restricted manoeuvrability, causing congestion and limited deployment
Pakistani defences: Reinforced positions with artillery and infantry support increased assault complexity
Air attacks: Pakistani aircraft targeted Indian armour and supply lines, but had limited impact on Centurion tanks
Outdated tanks: Indian Sherman tanks underperformed against the more modern Pakistani Pattons
What military strategies did India and Pakistan use?
India's 1st Armoured Division, under Maj Gen Rajinder Singh Sparrow, adopted a bold strategy. A diversion at Sabzpur misled Pakistan into expecting the main attack via the Chobra–Phillora axis. Indian tanks instead advanced across difficult terrain to gain surprise.
On September 11, three Centurion regiments launched coordinated attacks, surrounding Phillora from multiple directions. Roadblocks cut off reinforcements, and tank crews aggressively pursued retreating forces, capturing weapons and maintaining momentum.
How did Pakistan's forces respond to India's manoeuvre?
Pakistani troops had dug in along expected axes such as the Zafarwal–Phillora road. Units like Guides Cavalry and 14 FF attempted counterattacks from Bhagowal–Bhureshah, while airstrikes targeted Indian positions.
However, as Indian columns bypassed static defences and gained the upper hand, Pakistani forces withdrew to regroup at Chawinda.
What were India's key objectives at Phillora?
The Indian 1st Armoured Division aimed to:
Capture Phillora: A key node in Pakistan's Sialkot sector defence
Enable deeper advances: Toward Chawinda and Sialkot
Encircle and isolate enemy units: Using flanking and pincer tactics
Disrupt reinforcements: By holding junctions and imposing roadblocks
The successful capture of Phillora allowed further advance, although Indian forces faced strong resistance at Chawinda.
What were the casualties and equipment losses in the battle?
India lost between 6 and 9 Centurion tanks. Total casualties included five officers and 64 other ranks. Lieutenant Colonel A.B. Tarapore of 17 Horse, killed in action, was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India's highest military honour.
Pakistan reportedly lost 60–66 tanks. The 11th Cavalry regiment suffered heavy losses and was rendered ineffective. Many Patton tanks were destroyed or captured and later displayed as trophies by the Indian Army.
What was the outcome and legacy of the Battle of Phillora?
The battle was a tactical win for India—Phillora was captured, Pakistani armoured strength was degraded, and Indian tank tactics proved effective against technologically superior US-supplied Pattons.
However, the broader advance was halted at the Battle of Chawinda, where Pakistan managed to stabilise its lines. The Sialkot offensive, including Phillora, ended with the UN-mandated ceasefire on September 22, 1965.
India retained approximately 518 square kilometres in the sector by war's end. The battle remains one of the largest armoured engagements in South Asian military history and a defining moment in India's armoured warfare legacy.