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{{Short description|Battle of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965}}
{{Short description|Battle of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965}}
{{page numbers needed|date=September 2020}}
{{multiple issues|
{{Third-party|November 2022|date=November 2022}}
{{Tone|date=November 2022}}
{{Puffery|date=November 2022}}}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{EngvarB|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = Battle of Burki
| conflict          = Battle of Burki
| width            =  
| image            = {{multiple image
| border                  = infobox
| total_width              = 300
| image_style              = border:1;
| perrow                  = 1/1
| image1                  = 1965 war.jpg
| caption1          = Officers of ''4 Sikh Regiment'' posing outside a captured [[Pakistan]]i police station (in Burki) in [[Lahore District]].
| image2                  = Sculpture showing Indo-Pak war.jpg
| caption2          = Sculpture showing the Indo-Pakistani War
}}
 
{{OSM Location map
| coord = {{coord|31.4771|74.5125}}
| float = center
| zoom = 16
| width = 290 <!-- width and height of the frame. numeric input - do not add px -->
| height = 300
| mark-coord = {{coord|31.4771|74.5125}}
| caption = {{center|Village of Burki}}
}}
| date              = 8–11 September 1965<ref name="Major_1965"/><ref name="Gupta_1965"/><br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=9|day1=8|year1=1965|month2=9|day2=11|year2=1965}})
| place             = [[Barki, Pakistan|Burki]], [[Lahore]], [[Pakistan]]
| coordinates      = {{coord|31.4771|N|74.5125|E|type:event|display=inline}}
| partof            = the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]
| partof            = the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]]
| image            =
 
| image_size        = 300
| result            = Indian victory<ref name="sainik">{{cite web |url= http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2009/jan15-09/h61.html|title= Battle of Burki was another outstanding infantry operation|author= Melville de Mellow|date= 28 November 1965|publisher= Sainik Samachar|accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="Singh_1965"/>
| caption          = Lt. Col. [[Hari Singh (soldier)|Hari Singh]] of the India's [[Indian 1st Armoured Division|18th Cavalry]] posing outside a captured Pakistani police station (Barkee) in Lahore District
| date              = 8–11 September 1965<ref name="Major_1965"/><ref name="Gupta_1965"/>
| place            = [[Barki, Pakistan|Burki]], [[Lahore]], [[Pakistan]]
| coordinates      = {{coord|31.4771|N|74.5125|E|display=inline,title}}
| map_type          =
| map_relief        =
| latitude          =
| longitude        =
| map_size          =
| map_marksize      =
| map_caption      =
| map_label        =
| territory        =
| result            = Indian victory<ref name="sainik">{{cite web |url= http://sainiksamachar.nic.in/englisharchives/2009/jan15-09/h61.html|title= Battle of Burki was another outstanding infantry operation|author= Melville de Mellow|date= 28 November 1965|publisher= Sainik Samachar|accessdate=}}</ref><ref name="Singh_1965"/><br/>
*Failure of the Pakistani tank assault and commencement of successful Indian counterattack towards the Lahore front thereafter<ref name="sainik"/><ref name="Singh_1965"/>
| status            =  
| status            =  
| combatants_header =  
| combatants_header =  
| combatant1        = {{flag|India}}
| combatant1        = {{flag|India}}
| combatant2        = {{flag|Pakistan}}
| combatant2        = {{flag|Pakistan}}
| commander1        =  
| commander1        = {{flagicon|India}} Major General Har Krishan Sibal<br/>{{flagicon|India}} Lt Col FS Sondhi<br/>{{flagicon|India}} Lt. Col Satish Chandra Joshi{{KIA}}<br/>{{flagicon|India}} Anant Singh
{{flagicon|India}} Lt. Col Satish Chandra Joshi
{{flagicon|India}} Har Krishan Sibal<br/>{{flagicon|India}} Anant Singh
| commander2        = {{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Raja Aziz Bhatti]]{{KIA}}
| commander2        = {{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Raja Aziz Bhatti]]{{KIA}}
| units1            = 18th Cavalry Regiment<br/>[[5th Gorkha Rifles]]
{{flagicon|Pakistan}} [[Squadron Leader]] Sajjad Haider
| units2            = 17th Punjab Regiment
| units1            = [[7th Indian Infantry Division|7 Infantry Division]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://salute.co.in/wrong-timing-the-battle-khem-karan-and-afghanistan/|title=Wrong Timing the Battle: Khem Karan and Afghanistan|date=2021-10-23|access-date=2022-08-25}}</ref><br/>48 Infantry Brigade<br/>65 Infantry Brigade<br/>5 GUARDS<br/>[[Central India Horse]]<br/>[[9th Battalion, Madras Regiment|9 Madras]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianarmy.nic.in/writereaddata/documents/Articles1965/Kanwaljitsingh230915.pdf|title=Capture of Barki by 4 Sikh|date=2015-09-01|access-date=2022-08-25}}</ref><br/>[[Sikh Regiment|4 Sikh]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/saragarhi-battalion-to-commemorate-valour-of-its-soldiers/articleshow/71049384.cms|title=Saragarhi Battalion to commemorate valour of its soldiers|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=2019-09-12|access-date=2022-08-25}}</ref><br/>[[Punjab Regiment (India)|16 Punjab]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/veterans-celebrate-battle-honour-day/|title=Veterans celebrate Battle Honour Day|date=2019-09-12|access-date=2022-08-25}}</ref><br/>[[8th Gorkha Rifles|6/8 Gorkha Rifles]]
| strength1        = 1 infantry division<ref name="Major_1965"/><br/>1 armoured regiment<ref name="Chand_1965">{{citation |last=Das |first=Chand N. |title=Hours of Glory: Famous battles of the Indian army, 1801–1971 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6QpuAAAAMAAJ |year=1997 |publisher=Vision Books}}</ref>
| units2            = ;Army
| strength2        = <small>(3 Regiments)</small><br/>2 Companies of 17th Punjab Regiment<br/>10 F-86 Sabre jets
10 Infantry Division<br/>103 Infantry Brigade<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defstrat.com/magazine_articles/battle-honours-of-the-indian-army-18-1965-indo-pak-war-barki-assaulting-the-ichhogil-canal/|title=BATTLE HONOURS OF THE INDIAN ARMY – 18, 1965 INDO PAK WAR: BARKI, ASSAULTING THE ICHHOGIL CANAL|date=2020-04-02|access-date=2022-08-25}}</ref><br/>17th Punjab Regiment
| casualties1      = 4 tanks destroyed<ref name="sainik"/>
;Air Force
| casualties2      = 84 tanks destroyed or abandoned<ref name="sainik"/>
No. 19 Squadron <ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010923002645/http://www.defencejournal.com/2001/september/lahore.htm |url=http://www.defencejournal.com/2001/september/lahore.htm|website=DefenceJournal.com|author=Air Commodore Qadeer Ahmad Hashmi|archive-date=23 September 2001|title=PAF in Defence of Lahore}}</ref>
| strength1        = 1 infantry division<ref name="Major_1965"/><br/>1 armoured regiment<ref name="Chand_1965">{{citation |last=Das |first=Chand N. |title=Hours of Glory: Famous battles of the Indian army, 1801–1971 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6QpuAAAAMAAJ |year=1997 |publisher=Vision Books|isbn=9788170940692|page=106 }}</ref>
| strength2        = <small>(3 Regiments)</small><br/>2 Companies of 17th Punjab Regiment<br/>10 F-86 Sabre jets{{Citation needed|date=July 2022}}
| casualties1      = 4 tanks destroyed (According to Indian Sources)<ref name="sainik"/>
| casualties2      = 84 tanks captured or destroyed<ref name="sainik"/>
| notes            =  
| notes            =  
| campaignbox      = {{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani War of 1965}}<br/>{{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani Wars}}
| campaignbox      = {{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani War of 1965}}<br/>{{Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani Wars}}
}}
}}
The '''Battle of Burki (Barki)''' was a battle fought by Indian infantry and Pakistani armour in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]].<ref name="sainik"/> [[Barki, Pakistan|Barki]] is a village that lies south-east of [[Lahore]] near the border with [[Punjab, India|Punjab]], India.<ref name="Ram_1965">{{citation |last=Gopal |first=Ram |title=Indo-Pakistan war and peace, 1965 |publisher=Pustak Kendra |year=1967 |p=118 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sfi1AAAAIAAJ}}</ref> and is connected with Lahore by the Bridge of [[Ichogil canal]]. During the fighting, the relative strengths of the two sides were fairly even and Indian infantry clashed with Pakistani forces that were entrenched in pillboxes, dug-outs and slit trenches that had been carved into the canal banks. The Pakistanis were supported with a large number of tanks, as well as fighter jets.<ref name="sainik"/> The battle resulted in an Indian victory.<ref name="sainik"/><ref name="Singh_1965"/>
 
The '''Battle of Burki (Barki)''' was a battle fought by Indian infantry and Pakistani armour in the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1965]].<ref name="sainik"/> [[Barki, Pakistan|Barki]] is a village that lies south-east of [[Lahore]] near the border with [[Punjab, India|Punjab]],Just 11 km from the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, India and is connected to Lahore by the a bridge over the(BRB) [[Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian Canal]].<ref name="Ram_1965">{{citation |last=Gopal |first=Ram |title=Indo-Pakistan war and peace, 1965 |publisher=Pustak Kendra |year=1967 |page=118 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Sfi1AAAAIAAJ}}</ref> During the fighting, the relative strengths of the two sides were fairly even and Indian infantry clashed with Pakistani forces that were entrenched in [[Pillbox (military)|pillboxes]], dug-outs and [[slit trench]]es that had been carved into the canal banks. The Pakistanis were supported by a large number of tanks, as well as fighter jets.<ref name="sainik"/>{{Failed verification|date=July 2022|reason=Source mentions "air-strafing", nothing about type of aircraft}} The battle resulted in an Indian victory.<ref name="sainik"/><ref name="Singh_1965"/>


==Background==
==Background==
Pakistan launched [[Operation Grand Slam]] on 17 August 1965 in an effort to relieve infiltrators who had been surrounded after the failure of [[Operation Gibraltar]] on 15 August and to attempt to cut off the Indian supply lines.<ref name="global">{{cite web |url= http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/indo-pak_1965.htm|title= Indo-Pakistan War of 1965|author= |publisher= globalsecurity.org|accessdate=}}</ref> With supply lines under severe stress due to Operation Grand Slam, India launched an offensive towards Lahore to open up a second front in the war and distract Pakistani attention from [[Kashmir]].<ref name="global"/> After opening the Lahore front, Indian troops advanced towards Lahore along three axes— Amritsar-Lahore, Khalra-Burki-Lahore and Khem Karan-Kasur roads—overwhelming the small Pakistani force.<ref name="Johri_1965">{{citation |last=Johri |first=Sitaram |title=The Indo-Pak Conflict of 1965 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YWjP1pfs78sC |year=1967 |publisher=Himalaya Publications |pp=129–130}}</ref>
Pakistan launched [[Operation Grand Slam]] on 17 August 1965 in an effort to relieve infiltrators who had been surrounded after the failure of [[Operation Gibraltar]] on 15 August and to attempt to cut off the Indian [[supply lines]].<ref name="global">{{cite web |url= http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/indo-pak_1965.htm|title= Indo-Pakistan War of 1965|author= |publisher= globalsecurity.org|accessdate=}}</ref> With supply lines under severe stress due to Operation Grand Slam, India launched an offensive towards Lahore to open up a second front in the war and distract Pakistani attention from [[Kashmir]].<ref name="global"/> After opening the [[Lahore Front]], Indian troops advanced towards Lahore along three axes – the Amritsar-Lahore, Khalra-Burki-Lahore and Khem Karan-Kasur roads – overwhelming the small Pakistani force.<ref name="Johri_1965">{{citation |last=Johri |first=Sitaram |title=The Indo-Pak Conflict of 1965 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YWjP1pfs78sC |year=1967 |publisher=Himalaya Publications |pages=129–130}}</ref>


Indian infantry, supported by the only Indian armoured division, quickly pushed back unprepared Pakistani defenders with the aim of encircling and possibly besieging Lahore. Due to the element of surprise, India was able to capture a large amount of Pakistani territory from the town of [[Khalra]], an Indian border town which lies on a straight road to Lahore through Burki.<ref name="Gupta_1965">{{cite book |last=Gupta |first=Hari Ram |title=India-Pakistan war, 1965, Volume 1 |publisher=Hariyana Prakashan |year=1967 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.111576/page/n181 154]–157 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.111576 |via=archive.org}}</ref><ref name="sainik"/> In the meantime, the Pakistani Army mobilized the troops in the region and mounted a three-pronged counter-attack to recapture lost ground. The Battle of Burki was subsequently fought on Khalra-Burki-Lahore road.<ref name="sainik"/><ref name="Johri_1965"/>
Indian infantry, supported by the only Indian armoured division, quickly pushed back unprepared Pakistani defenders with the aim of encircling and possibly besieging Lahore. Due to the element of surprise, India was able to capture a large amount of Pakistani territory from the town of [[Khalra]], an Indian border town which lies on a straight road to Lahore through Burki.<ref name="Gupta_1965">{{cite book |last=Gupta |first=Hari Ram |title=India-Pakistan war, 1965, Volume 1 |publisher=Hariyana Prakashan |year=1967 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.111576/page/n181 154]–157 |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.111576 |via=archive.org}}</ref><ref name="sainik"/> In the meantime, the Pakistani Army mobilised the troops in the region and mounted a three-pronged counter-attack to recapture lost ground. The Battle of Burki was subsequently fought on Khalra-Burki-Lahore road.<ref name="sainik"/><ref name="Johri_1965"/>


Pakistan's main goal was to force the Indian infantry into retreat before their armoured support and supply lines could catch up. The Pakistani Army's aim also was to capture much of the territory it had lost earlier in the fighting.<ref name="Gupta_1965"/> The Indian infantry's aim was to capture and hold the town of Burki until reinforcements, including armour and supplies, could arrive.<ref name="Major_1965">{{citation |last=Capt |first=Ranbir Singh Gp |title=Major Defence Operations Since 1947 |year=2005 |publisher=Ocean Books |isbn=978-81-88322-67-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kzo9wyl0AK0C}}</ref><ref name="Gupta_1965"/><ref name="Singh_1965"/>
Pakistan's main goal was to force the Indian infantry into retreat before their armoured support and supply lines could catch up. The Pakistani Army's aim also was to capture much of the territory it had lost earlier in the fighting.<ref name="Gupta_1965"/> The Indian infantry's aim was to capture and hold the town of Burki until reinforcements, including armour and supplies, could arrive.<ref name="Major_1965">{{citation |last=Capt |first=Ranbir Singh Gp |title=Major Defence Operations Since 1947 |year=2005 |publisher=Ocean Books |isbn=978-81-88322-67-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kzo9wyl0AK0C|page=100}}</ref><ref name="Gupta_1965"/><ref name="Singh_1965"/>


==Battle==
==Battle==
India began their advance from [[Khalra]] under Major-General Har Krishan Sibal and tank operations under Lieutenant-Colonel Anant Singh with a village called Jahman being the first major Pakistani outpost to fall.<ref name="Gupta_1965"/> Pakistani troops pulled back towards the next major town, which was Burki, leaving small pockets of resistance at each village to slow down Indian advance.<ref name="Saxena_1965">{{citation |last=Saxena |first=K. C. |title=Pakistan, Her Relation with India 1947–1966 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=frY5AQAAIAAJ |year=1966 |publisher=Vir Publishing House}}</ref>
[[File:Golden Arrow Division celebrated its 60th Raising Day at Barki War Memorial.jpg|thumb|7 Infantry Division celebrating its 60th Raising Day at '''Burki War Memorial''', July 2022. The division fought decisive battles to capture Burki during 1965 War.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/westerncomd_IA/status/1542805325690023936|title=Golden Arrow Division celebrated its 60th Raising Day at Barki War Memorial|date=2022-07-01|access-date=2022-08-25}}</ref>]]
India began their advance from [[Khalra]] under Major-General Har Krishan Sibal and tank operations under Lieutenant-Colonel Anant Singh with a village called Jahman being the first major Pakistani outpost to fall.<ref name="Gupta_1965"/> Pakistani troops pulled back towards the next major town, which was Burki, leaving small pockets of resistance at each village to slow down Indian advance.<ref name="Saxena_1965">{{citation |last=Saxena |first=K. C. |title=Pakistan, Her Relation with India 1947–1966 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=frY5AQAAIAAJ |year=1966 |publisher=Vir Publishing House|page=169}}</ref>


On 8 September, Pakistan began the counter-attack with Pakistani artillery pounding the Indian advance on 8, 9 and 10 September.<ref name="Gupta_1965"/> This constant shelling slowed down the Indian advance but was unable to stop it completely.<ref name="Gupta_1965"/> This was followed by a counterattack by Pakistani armor consisting of considerable part of Pakistan's 1st Armored Division.<ref name="Major_1965"/> Indian infantry eventually clashed with Pakistani tanks at Burki, which resulted in most of the Pakistani armor being damaged or destroyed by 10 September.<ref name="sainik"/>
On 8 September, Pakistan began the counter-attack with Pakistani artillery pounding the Indian advance on 8, 9 and 10 September.<ref name="Gupta_1965"/> This constant shelling slowed down the Indian advance but was unable to stop it completely.<ref name="Gupta_1965"/> This was followed by a counterattack by Pakistani armour consisting of considerable part of Pakistan's 1st Armoured Division.<ref name="Major_1965"/> Indian infantry eventually clashed with Pakistani tanks at Burki, which resulted in most of the Pakistani armour being damaged or destroyed by 10 September.<ref name="sainik"/>


The Indian infantry was able to hold off the Pakistani armored units until Indian tanks from the 18th Cavalry Regiment arrived. They were then able to subsequently launch the main assault on 10 September with armor support. As most of the Pakistani tanks had already been incapacitated, the Pakistani defenders had little armored support from the remaining tanks. A few Pakistani fighter jets were called in to provide air cover for Pakistani troops and to target Indian positions.<ref name="Singh_1965"/> However, the use of fighters to perform ground [[strafing]] against ground troops instead of bombers with bombs and missiles meant that little was achieved through air support.<ref name="Singh_1965"/> The limited number of jets and the easy availability of trench and defensive structures for cover added to the ineffectiveness of Pakistani air operations. As a result, after intense fighting, Indian infantry captured Burki on 11 September and held it throughout the rest of the war despite the use of defensive structures like trenches and pillboxes as well as anti-tank weapons by Pakistani defenders during the defence of Burki.<ref name="Singh_1965">{{citation |first=Gp Capt Ranbir |last=Singh |title=Memorable War Stories |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jk0WIQsAlPEC |year=2009 |publisher=Ocean Books/Prabhat Prakashan |isbn=978-81-88322-66-4}}{{unreliable source inline|date=September 2020}}</ref>
The Indian infantry was able to hold off the Pakistani armoured units until Indian tanks from the 18th Cavalry Regiment arrived. They were then able to subsequently launch the main assault on 10 September with armour support. As most of the Pakistani tanks had already been incapacitated, the Pakistani defenders had little armoured support from the remaining tanks. A few Pakistani fighter jets were called in to provide air cover for Pakistani troops and to target Indian positions.<ref name="Singh_1965"/> However, the use of fighters to perform ground [[strafing]] against ground troops instead of bombers with bombs and missiles meant that little was achieved through air support.<ref name="Singh_1965"/> The limited number of jets and the easy availability of trenches and defensive structures for cover added to the ineffectiveness of Pakistani air operations. As a result, after intense fighting, Indian infantry captured Burki on 11 September and held it throughout the rest of the war.<ref name="Singh_1965">{{citation |first=Gp Capt Ranbir |last=Singh |title=Memorable War Stories |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Jk0WIQsAlPEC |year=2009 |publisher=Ocean Books/Prabhat Prakashan |isbn=978-81-88322-66-4}}{{unreliable source inline|date=September 2022}}</ref>


==Aftermath==
==Aftermath==
After the capture of Burki, the Indian advance continued towards [[Dograi]] ({{coord|31.528300|N|74.446087|E}}), a town in the immediate vicinity of Lahore. They subsequently went on to capture Dograi on 20 September, thus bringing the main city of Lahore within range of Indian tank fire.Despite Indian Army's efforts of relatively easily capturing of the Burki sector through the BRB Canal, the outnumbered military companies under [[Major aziz bhatti|Major Aziz Bhatti]] had forced the Indian Army to engage in hand-to-hand combat during the night of the 7/8 September 1965, and the fighting continued till the next three days despite Indian Army having numerical advantage. Subsequently, the Indian Army's armory had to halt its plans of capturing Lahore but to focus of capturing the Burki sector and destroying the bridge connecting the [[Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian Canal|BRB Canal]].<ref name="Britannica_1965">{{cite book
After the capture of Burki, the Indian [[Battle of Dograi|advance]] continued towards [[Dograi]], a town in the immediate vicinity of Lahore. The town and surrounding areas were captured on 22 September, bringing the city of Lahore within range of Indian tank fire. Despite the Indian Army's capture of the Burki sector through the [[Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian Canal]], the outnumbered military companies under [[Raja Aziz Bhatti|Major Raja Aziz Bhatti]] had forced the Indian Army to engage in hand-to-hand combat during the night of the 7–8 September 1965, and the fighting continued through the next three days despite the Indian Army's numerical advantage. Subsequently, the Indian Army's armour columns had to halt their plans of capturing Lahore but focus of securing the Burki sector and destroying the bridge connecting the Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian Canal.<ref name="Britannica_1965">{{cite book
   |last = fgdd
   |last = fgdd
   |title = The New Encyclopædia Britannica
   |title = The New Encyclopædia Britannica
   |publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica, 2002
   |publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica, 2002
   |isbn =978-0-85229-787-2}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web|title=PAKISTAN ARMY|url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/1965-war.php|access-date=2022-01-01|website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk}}</ref>
   |isbn =978-0-85229-787-2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=PAKISTAN ARMY|url=https://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/1965-war.php|access-date=2022-01-01|website=www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
The [[5 Gorkha Rifles|Fighting Fifth Battalion]] of the [[Indian Army]], which played an important part in capturing Burki, was later was conferred with the Battle Honour of "Burki" and Theatre Honour of "Punjab".<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100826/bathinda.htm#2| title= War memorial inaugurated|author= |date= 25 August 2010|publisher= Tribune News service|accessdate=7 April 2011}}</ref>
Battle Honour of ‘Barki’ & theatre honour of Punjab 1965 was conferred on 16 Punjab, 4 Sikh and 9 Madras of 65 Infantry Brigade.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.babushahi.com/full-news.php?id=63347&headline=Golden-Arrow-Division-celebrates-Barki-Day-to-commemorate-%E2%80%98Battle-of-Barki%E2%80%99|title=Golden Arrow Division celebrates Barki Day to commemorate 'Battle of Barki'|date=2017-09-10|access-date=2022-08-25}}</ref>
 
The [[Brigade of the Guards|5 GUARDS]] of the [[Indian Army]], which played an important part in capturing Burki, was also conferred with the "Battle Honour Burki" and "Theatre Honour Punjab".<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100826/bathinda.htm#2| title= War memorial inaugurated|author= |date= 25 August 2010|publisher= Tribune News service|accessdate=7 April 2022}}</ref>


The Pakistani commander, Major [[Raja Aziz Bhatti]], was later awarded the [[Nishan-e-Haider]], the highest military decoration given by Pakistan, posthumously. Each year he is honored in Pakistan on 6 September, which is also known as [[Defence Day]].{{citation needed|date=August 2012}}
The Pakistani commander, Major Raja Aziz Bhatti was later posthumously awarded the [[Nishan-e-Haider]], the highest military decoration given by Pakistan.<ref>{{cite book |title=Illustrated Weekly of Pakistan |date=1966 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wOENAQAAIAAJ&q=Raja+Aziz+Bhatti+awarded+nishan+1966 |language=en|page=9}}</ref> Each year he is honoured in Pakistan on 6 September, which is also known as [[Defence Day]].{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}


==References==
==References==
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{{Military of Pakistan}}
{{Military of Pakistan}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2017}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Burki, Battle of}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Burki, Battle of}}

Latest revision as of 03:15, 17 December 2022


The Battle of Burki (Barki) was a battle fought by Indian infantry and Pakistani armour in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.[3] Barki is a village that lies south-east of Lahore near the border with Punjab,Just 11 km from the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, India and is connected to Lahore by the a bridge over the(BRB) Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian Canal.[12] During the fighting, the relative strengths of the two sides were fairly even and Indian infantry clashed with Pakistani forces that were entrenched in pillboxes, dug-outs and slit trenches that had been carved into the canal banks. The Pakistanis were supported by a large number of tanks, as well as fighter jets.[3][failed verification] The battle resulted in an Indian victory.[3][4]

Battle of Burki
Part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Officers of 4 Sikh Regiment posing outside a captured Pakistani police station (in Burki) in Lahore District.
Sculpture showing the Indo-Pakistani War


Village of Burki
Date8–11 September 1965[1][2]
(3 days)
Location
Burki, Lahore, Pakistan
31°28′38″N 74°30′45″E / 31.4771°N 74.5125°E / 31.4771; 74.5125
Result Indian victory[3][4]
Belligerents
 India  Pakistan
Commanders and leaders
India Major General Har Krishan Sibal
India Lt Col FS Sondhi
India Lt. Col Satish Chandra Joshi †
India Anant Singh

Pakistan Raja Aziz Bhatti †

Pakistan Squadron Leader Sajjad Haider
Units involved
7 Infantry Division[5]
48 Infantry Brigade
65 Infantry Brigade
5 GUARDS
Central India Horse
9 Madras[6]
4 Sikh[7]
16 Punjab[8]
6/8 Gorkha Rifles
Army

10 Infantry Division
103 Infantry Brigade[9]
17th Punjab Regiment

Air Force
No. 19 Squadron [10]
Strength
1 infantry division[1]
1 armoured regiment[11]		 (3 Regiments)
2 Companies of 17th Punjab Regiment
10 F-86 Sabre jets[citation needed]
Casualties and losses
4 tanks destroyed (According to Indian Sources)[3] 84 tanks captured or destroyed[3]
Template:Campaignbox Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

BackgroundEdit

Pakistan launched Operation Grand Slam on 17 August 1965 in an effort to relieve infiltrators who had been surrounded after the failure of Operation Gibraltar on 15 August and to attempt to cut off the Indian supply lines.[13] With supply lines under severe stress due to Operation Grand Slam, India launched an offensive towards Lahore to open up a second front in the war and distract Pakistani attention from Kashmir.[13] After opening the Lahore Front, Indian troops advanced towards Lahore along three axes – the Amritsar-Lahore, Khalra-Burki-Lahore and Khem Karan-Kasur roads – overwhelming the small Pakistani force.[14]

Indian infantry, supported by the only Indian armoured division, quickly pushed back unprepared Pakistani defenders with the aim of encircling and possibly besieging Lahore. Due to the element of surprise, India was able to capture a large amount of Pakistani territory from the town of Khalra, an Indian border town which lies on a straight road to Lahore through Burki.[2][3] In the meantime, the Pakistani Army mobilised the troops in the region and mounted a three-pronged counter-attack to recapture lost ground. The Battle of Burki was subsequently fought on Khalra-Burki-Lahore road.[3][14]

Pakistan's main goal was to force the Indian infantry into retreat before their armoured support and supply lines could catch up. The Pakistani Army's aim also was to capture much of the territory it had lost earlier in the fighting.[2] The Indian infantry's aim was to capture and hold the town of Burki until reinforcements, including armour and supplies, could arrive.[1][2][4]

BattleEdit

 
7 Infantry Division celebrating its 60th Raising Day at Burki War Memorial, July 2022. The division fought decisive battles to capture Burki during 1965 War.[15]

India began their advance from Khalra under Major-General Har Krishan Sibal and tank operations under Lieutenant-Colonel Anant Singh with a village called Jahman being the first major Pakistani outpost to fall.[2] Pakistani troops pulled back towards the next major town, which was Burki, leaving small pockets of resistance at each village to slow down Indian advance.[16]

On 8 September, Pakistan began the counter-attack with Pakistani artillery pounding the Indian advance on 8, 9 and 10 September.[2] This constant shelling slowed down the Indian advance but was unable to stop it completely.[2] This was followed by a counterattack by Pakistani armour consisting of considerable part of Pakistan's 1st Armoured Division.[1] Indian infantry eventually clashed with Pakistani tanks at Burki, which resulted in most of the Pakistani armour being damaged or destroyed by 10 September.[3]

The Indian infantry was able to hold off the Pakistani armoured units until Indian tanks from the 18th Cavalry Regiment arrived. They were then able to subsequently launch the main assault on 10 September with armour support. As most of the Pakistani tanks had already been incapacitated, the Pakistani defenders had little armoured support from the remaining tanks. A few Pakistani fighter jets were called in to provide air cover for Pakistani troops and to target Indian positions.[4] However, the use of fighters to perform ground strafing against ground troops instead of bombers with bombs and missiles meant that little was achieved through air support.[4] The limited number of jets and the easy availability of trenches and defensive structures for cover added to the ineffectiveness of Pakistani air operations. As a result, after intense fighting, Indian infantry captured Burki on 11 September and held it throughout the rest of the war.[4]

AftermathEdit

After the capture of Burki, the Indian advance continued towards Dograi, a town in the immediate vicinity of Lahore. The town and surrounding areas were captured on 22 September, bringing the city of Lahore within range of Indian tank fire. Despite the Indian Army's capture of the Burki sector through the Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian Canal, the outnumbered military companies under Major Raja Aziz Bhatti had forced the Indian Army to engage in hand-to-hand combat during the night of the 7–8 September 1965, and the fighting continued through the next three days despite the Indian Army's numerical advantage. Subsequently, the Indian Army's armour columns had to halt their plans of capturing Lahore but focus of securing the Burki sector and destroying the bridge connecting the Bambawali-Ravi-Bedian Canal.[17][18]

AwardsEdit

Battle Honour of ‘Barki’ & theatre honour of Punjab 1965 was conferred on 16 Punjab, 4 Sikh and 9 Madras of 65 Infantry Brigade.[19]

The 5 GUARDS of the Indian Army, which played an important part in capturing Burki, was also conferred with the "Battle Honour Burki" and "Theatre Honour Punjab".[20]

The Pakistani commander, Major Raja Aziz Bhatti was later posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider, the highest military decoration given by Pakistan.[21] Each year he is honoured in Pakistan on 6 September, which is also known as Defence Day.[citation needed]

ReferencesEdit

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Capt, Ranbir Singh Gp (2005), Major Defence Operations Since 1947, Ocean Books, p. 100, ISBN 978-81-88322-67-1
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Gupta, Hari Ram (1967). India-Pakistan war, 1965, Volume 1. Hariyana Prakashan. pp. 154–157 – via archive.org.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Melville de Mellow (28 November 1965). "Battle of Burki was another outstanding infantry operation". Sainik Samachar.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Singh, Gp Capt Ranbir (2009), Memorable War Stories, Ocean Books/Prabhat Prakashan, ISBN 978-81-88322-66-4Template:Unreliable source inline
  5. ↑ "Wrong Timing the Battle: Khem Karan and Afghanistan". 23 October 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  6. ↑ "Capture of Barki by 4 Sikh" (PDF). 1 September 2015. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  7. ↑ "Saragarhi Battalion to commemorate valour of its soldiers". The Times of India. 12 September 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  8. ↑ "Veterans celebrate Battle Honour Day". 12 September 2019. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  9. ↑ "BATTLE HONOURS OF THE INDIAN ARMY – 18, 1965 INDO PAK WAR: BARKI, ASSAULTING THE ICHHOGIL CANAL". 2 April 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  10. ↑ Air Commodore Qadeer Ahmad Hashmi. "PAF in Defence of Lahore". DefenceJournal.com. Archived from the original on 23 September 2001.
  11. ↑ Das, Chand N. (1997), Hours of Glory: Famous battles of the Indian army, 1801–1971, Vision Books, p. 106, ISBN 9788170940692
  12. ↑ Gopal, Ram (1967), Indo-Pakistan war and peace, 1965, Pustak Kendra, p. 118
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Indo-Pakistan War of 1965". globalsecurity.org.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Johri, Sitaram (1967), The Indo-Pak Conflict of 1965, Himalaya Publications, pp. 129–130
  15. ↑ "Golden Arrow Division celebrated its 60th Raising Day at Barki War Memorial". 1 July 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  16. ↑ Saxena, K. C. (1966), Pakistan, Her Relation with India 1947–1966, Vir Publishing House, p. 169
  17. ↑ fgdd. The New Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2002. ISBN 978-0-85229-787-2.
  18. ↑ "PAKISTAN ARMY". www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk. Retrieved 1 January 2022.
  19. ↑ "Golden Arrow Division celebrates Barki Day to commemorate 'Battle of Barki'". 10 September 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  20. ↑ "War memorial inaugurated". Tribune News service. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
  21. ↑ Illustrated Weekly of Pakistan. 1966. p. 9.

Template:Military of Pakistan

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