Veterans commemorate Battle of Phillora

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 23

For veterans of the elite Poona Horse regiment, it was a nostalgic trip down the martial history as they got together at Ludhiana to commemorate the 53rd anniversary of the famous Battle of Phillora, fought on the Pakistani soil in September 1965.

During the Indo-Pak war, the regiment spearheaded the Indian advance into Pakistan and cleared the stronghold of Phillora, after a gruelling close range tank battle against Patton tanks, in which 23 enemy tanks were destroyed.

It was in this battle, fought in the Sialkot Sector that Lt Col Ardeshir Tarapore was posthumously decorated with the Param Vir Chakra (PVC).

A large number of veterans as well as serving regimental officers participated in the event. The regiment, which traces its origin to 1817, has seen action around the globe and has been awarded four Victoria Crosses and two PVCs besides numerous other gallantry awards and battle honours.