Diamond Jubilee of 1965 Indo-Pak war: Army, INTACH to open first military heritage site for Punjab at Asal Uttar

As part of the diamond jubilee (60th anniversary) of the 1965 Indo-Pak war, the Army in collaboration with INTACH Punjab, led by Maj Gen Balwinder Singh, who is convener, INTACH Punjab, is going to throw open the first military heritage site of Punjab which will contain a selfie point, Company Quarter Master Havildar (CQMH) Abdul Hamid with an RCL gun mounted on a jeep with which he destroyed seven Patton tanks, a photo gallery on him, the audio-visual room narrating the story of the war and a museum showing the three wars. A 72-feet high flag will also be unfurled this year.

The first “Military Heritage War Museum” of Punjab with audio-visual depiction is going to open for public on this day with the motto of “Let this site forever echo the legacy of sacrifice, resilience and patriotism”. It has been erected by the Golden Arrow Division of the Indian Army in collaboration with INTACH Punjab.

Ever year on September 9, personnel of the Army’s Golden Arrow division, gather at the mausoleum of Abdul Hamid at Asal Uttar village in Tarn Taran to acknowledge his valour in stopping the advancing Pakistani tanks, saving the nation from the ignominy of defeat and helped thwart the Pakistan’s attempts to cut off Amritsar and Tarn Taran which were then one district.

This year, they will gather here in the last week of September due to floods hitting the region.

The 1965 war is known for Pakistan pressing in its most advanced Patton tank and the exemplary leadership displayed by Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh, GOC-in-C of the Western Army Command, and the valour displayed by Abdul Hamid.

Dr Baljit Kaur, convener, Tarn Taran chapter of INTACH, said the 1965 war had come after the 1962 India- China war in which India had lost men and weapons. India was raising divisions to fight the world’s second largest tank battle. The Indian Army destroyed 97 enemy tanks which included 72 Patton tanks which were lined up in Bhikhiwind, attracting people from the rest of the country to visit the place to see themselves the trophies of war.

After losing in Jammu and Kashmir and Sialkot sectors, Pakistan had planned a move to cut off the Majha region through a well-orchestrated armoured move by deploying the American Patton tanks on the Khemkaran side for fast movement towards the Beas river to isolate the city of Amritsar and adjoining areas to gain an upper hand and bargaining power.

However, Lt-Gen Harbaksh Singh gained credible information through the wireless communication of the Pakistani Division Commandant about their move, regrouped armoured and infantry troops in that area and breached the strategic canal to halt the advancement of the Patton tanks.

Lt Gen Harbakhsh Singh displayed exemplary leadership that was crucial in maintaining India’s defensive posture and morale. His ability to anticipate enemy moves and prepare accordingly was a key factor in India’s successful defence. The successful defence of Punjab, particularly the decisive victory at Khemkaran, stands testament to his military genius. His legacy serves as an inspiration for future generations and a reminder of the importance of strategic thinking, adaptability and unwavering commitment in the face of national security challenges.

In the 1965 Indo-Pak war, the Pattons were the pride of Pakistan army and were considered unmatched and unbeatable. These Patton tanks suffered heavy attrition along the western front. In the famous battle of Asal Uttar in Khemkaran sector, Tarn Taran, a total of 97 tanks were destroyed of which 72 were Pattons.

The area of Asal Uttar and Chima became the ‘Graveyard of Pattons’. These tanks were later collected and brought to Bhikhiwind, which was rechristened at that time as “Patton Nagar”.

The Indian Army repulsed a formidable armoured offensive, halting the advance of the enemy and securing a historic victory that safeguarded the sovereignty of India. This clearly brings out the fact that, “It is not the machine, but the man behind the machine that matters”.