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Business Standard
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Business Standard
Phillora 1965: How India won one of South Asia's biggest tank battles
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Air attacks: Pakistani aircraft targeted Indian armour and supply lines, but had limited impact on Centurion tanks Outdated tanks: Indian Sherman tanks underperformed against the more modern Pakistani Pattons What military strategies did India and Pakistan use?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.
India.com
30-04-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Pakistan in Massive fear, puts Air Force on high alert, defense assets deployed to the Borders, Shehbaz Sharif likely to..., PM Modi plans to...
Islamabad: The cowardly Pahalgam attack by Pakistan-backed terrorists on innocent Hindu tourists has shocked the entire world. Now, the Modi government is getting prepared to teach Pakistan a lesson. There is a concern in Pakistan that India is planning a major military operation in response to the Pahalgam attack. On Tuesday night at around 2 AM, Pakistan's Information Minister hastily released a statement claiming that India is planning to launch an attack within the next 24 to 36 hours. Meanwhile, reports suggest that a worried Pakistan has also begun its preparations. The Pakistan Air Force has been ordered to remain on constant alert. Pakistan's Defense Minister, Khawaja Asif, has stated that the country is ready to respond to any Indian aggression. Pakistan Deploying Defense Assets at Border According to the reports, the Pakistani government has deployed key air defense assets and electronic warfare units to forward positions near the border. Pakistan is conducting continuous aerial preparedness exercises. These activities come at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a meeting on Tuesday, stated that the armed forces have been given a free hand to decide on action in response to terrorist attacks. Citing the people familiar to the matter, The Economic Times reported that the Pakistani activities have been detected at several locations across the border. Pakistan has strengthened its radar systems in the Sialkot sector to detect Indian aerial movements. Similar activities have also been observed near Lahore. Pakistan has also deployed additional troops from regions such as Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK). According to the reports, these new troops are being stationed as backup support for the Pakistani Army units deployed along the Line of Control (LOC) with India. Tensions have escalated along the LOC following the Pahalgam attack, with continuous gunfire being reported for the past six days. According to people familiar with the matter, electronic warfare equipment has also been deployed to the front lines and is active in the Ferozepur sector. These activities indicate that Pakistan is preparing to prevent long-range strikes on the headquarters or hideouts of major terrorist groups. Activity Observed in Two Divisions Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that they have strengthened their military, as an Indian incursion is highly likely. According to people familiar with the matter, activities of the Pakistani Army's 6th Armoured Division and 7th Infantry Division have been observed in Bagh, Rawalakot, and Toli Pir areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This movement is being described as unusual, as the 6th Armoured Division is based in Gujranwala and the 7th Infantry Division is generally deployed along the Punjab border.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Pakistan rushes air defence, electronic assets forward; steps up readiness drills
Pakistan has moved key air defence assets and electronic warfare detachments to forward locations near the border and has been conducting continuous air readiness drills, even as its defence minister Khwaja Asif said the country is bracing for an "imminent" attack by India in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack . #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack The groundwork before India mounts a strike at Pakistan India considers closing airspace to Pakistani carriers amid rising tensions Cold Start: India's answer to Pakistan's nuclear threats Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the armed forces have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets and timing of the Indian response to the terrorist attack. Pakistani moves have been detected at several locations across the border, with the Sialkot sector being reinforced with radar systems to detect Indian aerial assets and similar movement observed near Lahore as well, said people with knowledge of the matter. Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like In Brandenburg tragen Seniorinnen jetzt diese Sandalen Sandalen im Trend Undo Electronic warfare assets have also been sent to the front and are active across the Ferozepur sector, according to the people. The movements indicate that Pakistan is bracing for a long-range attack on headquarters or bases of key terrorist groups, they said. Live Events Other key moves include moving additional troops to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) from other areas such as Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The new troops are reinforcement for the regular Pakistan Army deployments along the Line of Control (LoC) with India which has seen increased tension since the Pahalgam attack, with continuous firing exchanges for the past six days. In an interview to Reuters, Pakistan's defence minister Asif said, "We have reinforced our forces because it (incursion by India) is something which is imminent now." Movements of the Pakistan Army's 6th Armoured Division and 7th Infantry Division have been observed at Bagh, Rawalakot, and Toli Peer in PoK, said people in the know. This is unusual, they said, as the 6th Armoured Division is based in Gujranwala and the 7th Infantry Division is typically deployed along the Punjab border. Some of these deployments are likely to be targeted at the Poonch sector in Jammu and Kashmir. Positioning of Pakistani artillery systems and long-range rockets has also been observed in Bagh, Toli Peer and Rawalkot areas. The Pakistani side is believed to have deployed Chinese origin A-100 multi-barrel rocket launchers (MBRL) in PoK that have a range of more than 100 km. In the Chhamb sector, deployment of KRL-122 MBRLs, which have an estimated range of close to 40 km, has been observed, besides Al Khalid main battle tanks. The Pakistani Army has also ordered elements from the 33rd and 41st Infantry Divisions of XII Corps from Balochistan to move to the border with India, the people said. Besides, the Pakistan Air Force has been observed to be on heightened alert for the past few days, with several exercises ongoing and intense flying being carried out. It is believed that the Nur Khan base at Rawalpindi has been recently reinforced with F-16C fighter jets and other assets. The Quadri air force base at Skardu is believed to have received a detachment of around 18 fighter jets in recent days, likely to be Chinese-made JF-17s. In Pakistan's south, its air force has been undertaking an exercise named Zarb e Haideri, which involves J-10C, JF-17 Block III and F-16 fighter jets. Pakistan is particularly worried about Karachi. Its most advanced HQ 9/P air defence systems have been deployed to protect Karachi from airborne and sea-side threats.
