50 years of 'The Gallant Infant'

Brig SPS Dhaliwal (Retd)

The Indian Army’s successes on the eastern front for the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 created a situation that the war spilling over to the western theatre was inevitable. Plans were put in place for offensive and defensive operations, which included straightening of the enclaves and bulges across the Ravi river.

Jassar, as known in Pakistan, or Dera Baba Nanak (DBN), as known to us, was a strategically important enclave east of the Ravi, belonging to Pakistan. This included the rail-road bridge over the river linking Passur-Narowal in Pakistan to the enclave. The Jassar or DBN Enclave gave an advantage to Pakistan for operations into the Indian territory towards the cities of Batala and Gurdaspur.

Plans were accordingly made to capture the Dera Baba Nanak Enclave to deter any Pakistani designs. The task was given to 86 Infantry Brigade Group, for which 71 Armoured Regiment was placed under its command. The operation was code-named ‘Op Akal’.

The 71 Armoured Regiment was raised in Ahmednagar in January 1971 and before it was a year old, it had the honour of being launched into battle for the capture of the strategic DBN Enclave. On the night of December 5-6, in an audacious move, 71 Regiment less a squadron was launched from the north-eastern flank of the enclave with the aim of getting behind the enemy defences. This took the enemy completely by surprise. The task of the infantry units of 86 Infantry Brigade also became easier as the enemy defences were not prepared to take on a simultaneous armour attack from the rear. A troop of the enemy’s Chafee tanks were in the enclave to support their infantry. However, on hearing the rumble of the T-55 tanks of the Regiment, they tried to make a hasty retreat towards the rail-road bridge and got bogged down in the Ravi. All this while, Charlie Squadron provided the fire support from the southern flank to own infantry and to cover the move of the rest of the Regiment from the north-east. By first light on December 6, the enclave had been captured and the Tricolour was seen fluttering on the eastern side of the bridge. While falling back, the retreating enemy blew up the home side of the bridge to prevent our advance across the river.

In order to celebrate the golden jubilee of capture of the DBN Enclave, which also coincided with the golden jubilee year of the raising of 71 Armoured Regiment, the veterans and serving officers gathered at the DBN war memorial on December 5 to pay homage to the martyrs. The veterans who participated in the battle, some in their eighties, along with their families arrived from various parts of the country, as also from Canada and USA.

Someone has very aptly written, “I know now why men who have been to war yearn to reunite; not to tell stories or look at old pictures, not to weep or laugh. Comrades gather because they long to be with the people who once acted their best; who once suffered and sacrificed…”

We were fortunate to have Billoo Chimni, the wife of our first Commandant, the late Brig Brijinder Singh Chimni, amongst us. He was at the helm when the Regiment was launched during this operation. In a solemn occasion, the Guard of Honour was presented by the 7th Battalion of Rajputana Rifles. At Ground Zero, the veterans recounted their role during that battle, sending a chill down the spines of those listening to their heroics.

The 71 Armoured Regiment displayed exemplary professionalism, raw courage and an indomitable will to win, earning the sobriquet ‘The Gallant Infant’.

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