KASHMIR-21

Indo-Pak War of 1965

1.       Relations between India and Pakistan deteriorated in the early 60’s due to incoherent Pakistani fears that all parts of Jammu and Kashmir would soon merge with the Indian Union thus forever closing the Kashmir issue. In the meanwhile, Lal Bahadur Shastri had taken over as Prime Minister after the death of  Jawaharlal Nehru on 27 May 1964. On 4 December 1964, it was decided that Articles 356 and 357 of the Indian Constitution, which covered aspects of imposition of President’s rule and to the scope of Indian Parliamentary legislation, would now be applied to Kashmir. Commencing in 1965, there were a rising number of border ‘incidents’ between India and Pakistan. Soon, Pakistan invaded Indian Territory in the Rann of Kutch and a major clash took place. Due to British mediation, a cease-fire was put into effect in June 1965 in which a status quo was to be observed by both countries by which, they would withdraw to respective positions as held on 1 January 1966. A tribunal was set up with an aim to arrive at a permanent settlement in the Kutch. This international arbitration led to the demarcation of the boundary in the Rann of Kutch, which was accepted by both sides and a formal agreement signed between the two countries in July 1969.

2.       Sheikh Abdullah was arrested on 8 May 1965, for expressing views that were perceived as being conspiratorial in nature and his actions were seen to support a ‘Pindi-Peking’ conspiracy against India. Border incidents between India and Pakistan became serious in nature and Pakistani mujaheddin infiltrated Indian territory in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistani plan was to foment a rebellion in the state by sending across trained guerrillas and then supporting the resulting ‘peoples rebellion’ to send in regular troops. Their plan, (code named Operation Gibraltar) was based on the absurd presumption that Indian forces were weak (due to the 1962 aggression) and that people in the state would rise in mass rebellion against the Indian Government.

3.       Pakistan trained ‘mujaheddin’ who had infiltrated into India began a systematic campaign of sabotage by blowing up bridges and police stations. The Indian Army responded vigorously by capturing passes on the main routes of infiltration in the Kargil sector and also areas in Uri and Poonch. These actions were purely defensive in nature and solely aimed at cutting off the routes used by the Pakistani infiltrators. On 1 September, Pakistani troops backed by armour attacked Indian positions in the Chaamb sector with an aim to cut the main Indian lines of communication along the road from Pathankot through Jammu to Srinagar. Pakistani forces captured Jaurian and reached quite close to Jammu city. India’s response was swift and attacks were launched along a wide frontage.

4.       19 Infantry Division, which was responsible for operations in Valley, was tasked by HQ 15 Corps,  to  operate  from  the North and capture Hajipir Pass. 68 Infantry Brigade, the Corps reserve was placed under the Division for this task. The code name given to this operation was ‘OP BAKSHI’.

5.       1 Para under 68 Infantry Brigade captured Sank, Sar and Lediwali Gali. 19 Punjab captured Kuthnar Di Gali and by 5 September 1965 the brigade captured the Hajipir pass and then the Hajipir Bulge. And by 21 September the brigade had captured Kahuta and Gitian, thus successfully reduced the infiltration threat along the Hajipir Pass.

6.       After the Tashkent declaration (1965), the Indian troops withdrew and Pakistan forces reoccupied the Hajipir Bulge.

7.       Due to UN intervention  (Security Council resolutions),  a cease-fire was declared by both countries on 23 September 1965. It is interesting to note that during this conflict, Chinese applied diplomatic pressure on India and threatened action against it on the basis of a non-existent ‘Indian aggression on its (Chinese) territory’.

8.      Tashkent Declaration. The Tashkent conference, between India and Pakistan, and mediated by Russia opened on 3 January 1966 and the declaration was signed on 10 January 1966. This declaration focussed on the withdrawal of both armies behind the 1947 cease-fire line, which was implemented.