Pakistani officers were destroying maps and documents. A few minutes later, Niazi, wearing a holstered pistol, came out from an underground bunker to his plush office now occupied by the Indians. He was silent and looked sad and anxious, recalled Brig Sant Singh, who, prior to Independence, had served in the same regiment, which Niazi later commanded.

FJ Force, comprising 13 Guards, 2 Para and 6 Bihar had rapidly advanced along the Mymensingh-Madhupur axis, securing the area and covering around 55 km before reaching Bhuri Ganga on the outskirts of Dacca. “Time was of essence and the fall of Mymensingh was among the decisive points of the war in the east,” said, Brig Sant Singh, who was decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra for his actions.

On the western frontier, the Battle of Longewala become the most notable operation, which has been immortalised by the Bollywood film Border. Fought on December 5-6 at the remote border outpost in the Jaisalmer sector, it was one of the first major engagements between India and Pakistan in the west. Touted as one of the biggest routs for Pakistan in this theatre, it goes down in the history of warfare as a classic example of human resolve and motivation in the face of extremely heavy odds, where an infantry company of about just 70 men from 23 Punjab held back an assaulting enemy brigade of over 2,800 troops supported by 65 tanks.

“We were given a choice. To stay put and defend the position or go in for a tactical retreat,” recalls Brig (then Major) KS Chandpuri, who was commanding the company and was later decorated with the Maha Vir Chakra. The first attack by Pakistani troops at night was stalled through anti-tank weapons. Reserve fuel drums kept atop tanks were exploded, throwing enough light for our gunners positioned on high ground, while their own smoke blinded their troops. “Though we were outnumbered and surrounded, Pakistani infantry was unable to advance. We held them till dawn when the IAF came in,” he added. When the operation ended, 22 Pakistani tanks had been destroyed.

Giving an example of another classic close-quarter battle, Maj Gen DD Dwivedi recalled the capture of the Bander Railway Station near Narainganj in the eastern sector. The attack commenced after last light and around mid-night close contact was made with forward bunkers. The leading echelons managed to break the crest and gain a foothold, but suffered heavy casualties in the process.

“Given the typical cliff-hanger situation, scales could have tipped either way. The clock was ticking fast and had the logjam persisted, the defender was sure to gain the upper hand,” he said. “But somehow we did manage to push through and break the stalemate. By wee hours, the defenders’ resistance began to weaken and by early morning Bander had new occupants,” he added. As the troops consolidated their position and got ready for the next assault in the final race to Dacca, fresh orders were received and the operation was called off.