State's 1st Military Heritage site inaugurated at Asal Uttar

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, GOC-in-C Western Command, on Tuesday dedicated the upgraded Asal Uttar War Memorial and Museum to the nation, marking it as Punjab’s first military heritage site.

Located in the paddy fields of the Khemkaran sector, Asal Uttar village holds one of India’s most decisive wartime legacies. In September 1965, it became the battleground where Indian troops halted Pakistan’s armoured thrust into Punjab in a fierce three-day clash, turning the tide of war and earning the site its place in military history.

The project, led by the Indian Army in collaboration with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), has been developed as part of the diamond jubilee commemoration of the 1965 war. Lt Gen Katiyar hailed the effort as a tribute to soldiers’ valour, while INTACH Punjab convenor Maj Gen Balwinder Singh (retd), VSM, described it as “a blueprint for how a community, a state, and a nation can preserve, interpret and learn from military history in situ.”

The initiative, led by the Army’s Golden Arrow Division and INTACH Punjab headed by Maj Gen Singh, coincides with the diamond jubilee of the 1965 war. The objective, he said, is to create a memorial, museum and curated experience anchored in the very terrain where history was made. “The Army brings custodianship of regimental memory and artefacts, while INTACH Punjab contributes conservation, curation and visitor-experience expertise. Together, we can balance authenticity with accessibility,” he noted.

Maj Gen Singh pointed out that Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh, then GOC-in-C Western Command, played a decisive role in defending India’s territorial integrity during the 1965 conflict. His strategic brilliance, he said, was instrumental in defeating Pakistan’s forces.

The Battle of Asal Uttar, fought between September 8 and 10, 1965, stands as a shining example of courage, tactical acumen and the indomitable spirit of the Indian armed forces. Indian troops halted the enemy advance and destroyed or captured 97 Patton tanks, earning the battlefield its enduring sobriquet—the “Graveyard of Pattons.” The wreckage scattered across the fields gave rise to “Patton Nagar,” an open-air display of captured and destroyed tanks near Bhikhiwind and Khemkaran. For decades, the rusting hulks served as reminders of how strategy, grit and good soldiering neutralised a perceived technological edge.

Among the celebrated episodes of the battle was the exceptional bravery of CQMH Abdul Hamid of 4 Grenadiers, whose actions earned him a legendary place in Indian military history. The memorial and museum also showcase other historic engagements. The Battle of Barki (1965) is commemorated for its outstanding acts of leadership and bravery. Lt Col Anant Singh, commanding officer of 4 Sikh, led from the front, inspiring his men to achieve what seemed almost impossible. Many were decorated for gallantry.

The Battle of Sehjra (1971) too finds a place of honour. Here, Brig M C S Menon, commander of 48 Infantry Brigade, tasked 1/5 GR (FF), 6 MAHAR and an armoured squadron to capture a heavily fortified Pakistan salient north of Ferozepur. After a fierce fight, Indian troops secured the Sehjra defences on December 6, 1971.

INTACH will also host annual homage at Abdul Hamid’s mausoleum, while encouraging coordination between the district administration, tourism bodies, local panchayats and veterans’ groups. “Exhibits should acknowledge that any battle has two sides. Naming Pakistani casualties and units—accurately and respectfully—transforms a victory narrative into a human narrative. It also elevates India’s moral confidence: we can celebrate valour without dehumanising an adversary,” said Dr Baljit Kaur, convener of INTACH Tarn Taran chapter.