imported>Historicamatic m it was called Dacca back then |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=August | {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}} | ||
{{Infobox military conflict | {{Infobox military conflict | ||
|conflict=Tangail airdrop | |conflict=Tangail airdrop | ||
|image= | |image= | ||
|caption= | |caption= | ||
|partof=the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] and the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] | |partof=the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] and the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] | ||
|date=11 December 1971 | |date=11 December 1971 | ||
|place= [[Tangail District|Tangail]], [[East Pakistan]] | |place= [[Tangail District|Tangail]], [[East Pakistan]] | ||
|result=Indian victory | |result=Indian victory | ||
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|combatant1={{flag|India}} | |combatant1={{flag|India}} | ||
|combatant2={{flag|Pakistan}} | |combatant2={{flag|Pakistan}} | ||
|commander1={{flagicon|India}} [[Kulwant Singh Pannu|Lt Col K.S. Pannu]] | |commander1={{flagicon|India}} [[Kulwant Singh Pannu|Lt Col K.S. Pannu]] | ||
|commander2={{flagicon|Pakistan}} Brig. Abdul Qadir Khan | |commander2={{flagicon|Pakistan}} Brig. Abdul Qadir Khan | ||
|units1= {{army|India}} [[Para Commandos (India)|Indian 2nd Parachute Battalion]]<br>[[Maratha Light Infantry|1 Maratha LI]]<br>[[17 (Parachute) Field Regiment (Zojila & Poongli Bridge)|49 Parachute Field Battery]] | |units1= {{army|India}} [[Para Commandos (India)|Indian 2nd Parachute Battalion]]<br>[[Maratha Light Infantry|1 Maratha LI]]<br>[[17 (Parachute) Field Regiment (Zojila & Poongli Bridge)|49 Parachute Field Battery]] | ||
|units2=[[Pakistani Army]] 93rd Brigade | |units2=[[Pakistani Army]] 93rd Brigade | ||
|strength1= [[Para (Special Forces)|Indian 2nd Parachute Battalion]] – 1000 PARA SF.<br>[[Maratha Light Infantry|1 Maratha LI]] – Strength unknown | |strength1= [[Para (Special Forces)|Indian 2nd Parachute Battalion]] – 1000 PARA SF.<br>[[Maratha Light Infantry|1 Maratha LI]] – Strength unknown | ||
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[[File:বাংলাদেশের সামরিক (১৯৬৭-১৯৭১) পরিকল্পনা.png|thumb|240px|Pakistani Eastern Command plan for the defence of East Pakistan from 1967 to 1971 (generic representation—some unit locations not shown.]] | [[File:বাংলাদেশের সামরিক (১৯৬৭-১৯৭১) পরিকল্পনা.png|thumb|240px|Pakistani Eastern Command plan for the defence of East Pakistan from 1967 to 1971 (generic representation—some unit locations not shown.]] | ||
The '''Tangail Airdrop''' was a successful [[battalion]]-size [[Para Commandos (India)]] operation mounted on 11 December 1971 by the [[Parachute Regiment (India)#Units|2nd Battalion (Special Operations)]] (2 PARA) of the [[Indian Army]]'s [[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]] during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] for the [[Bangladesh Liberation War|liberation of Bangladesh]]. The main objective of the operation was the capture of [[Bangabandhu Bridge|Poongli Bridge]] on the [[Jamuna River (Bangladesh)|Jamuna River]] which would cut off the [[Structure of the Pakistan Army|Pakistani 93rd Brigade]] which was retreating from [[Mymensingh#History|Mymensingh]] in the north to defend the capital of [[East Pakistan]], [[Dhaka|Dacca]], and its approaches. The [[paratroop]] unit was also tasked to link up with the advancing [[Maratha Light Infantry]] on the ground to advance towards the East Pakistani capital.<ref name=MajGenSharma1>[https://theprint.in/opinion/in-1971-bangladesh-war-i-gave-pakistan-lt-gen-letter-to-surrender/333068/ As a young captain in 1971 Bangladesh war, I gave | The '''Tangail Airdrop''' was a successful [[battalion]]-size [[Para Commandos (India)]] operation mounted on 11 December 1971 by the [[Parachute Regiment (India)#Units|2nd Battalion (Special Operations)]] (2 PARA) of the [[Indian Army]]'s [[Parachute Regiment (India)|Parachute Regiment]] and the [[No. 49 Squadron IAF|49 Squadron]] of the Indian Air Force during the [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]] for the [[Bangladesh Liberation War|liberation of Bangladesh]]. The main objective of the operation was the capture of [[Bangabandhu Bridge|Poongli Bridge]] on the [[Jamuna River (Bangladesh)|Jamuna River]] which would cut off the [[Structure of the Pakistan Army|Pakistani 93rd Brigade]] which was retreating from [[Mymensingh#History|Mymensingh]] in the north to defend the capital of [[East Pakistan]], [[Dhaka|Dacca]], and its approaches. The [[paratroop]] unit was also tasked to link up with the advancing [[Maratha Light Infantry]] on the ground to advance towards the East Pakistani capital.<ref name=MajGenSharma1>[https://theprint.in/opinion/in-1971-bangladesh-war-i-gave-pakistan-lt-gen-letter-to-surrender/333068/ As a young captain in 1971 Bangladesh war, I gave Pakistan's Lt-Gen the letter to surrender, My battalion in the Air Force, 2 PARA, was the first troops to enter ‘Dacca’ after Pakistan's defeat.], LT GEN NIRBHAY SHARMA (RETD), [[ThePrint]], 11 December 2019.</ref> | ||
==Operation== | ==Operation== | ||
===Para drop=== | ===Para drop=== | ||
A [[battalion]] of [[Para Commandos (India)]] led by | A [[battalion]] of [[Para Commandos (India)]] led by Lieutenant Colonel [[Kulwant Singh Pannu]] was reinforced by an artillery battery of [[17 (Parachute) Field Regiment (Zojila & Poongli Bridge)|17 Para Field Regiment]], an engineering detachment, an ADS, a surgical team and other administrative troops from the [[50th Parachute Brigade (India)|50th (Indep) Parachute Brigade]]. Tasked to cut off the retreat of the Pakistani troops from the north towards [[Dacca]], the unit touched ground at 1630 hours and was greeted by a jubilant crowd of local people, with some even helping the troops carry their packs and [[ammunition]]. The drop was dispersed over a wide area, but the Paras regrouped quickly and commenced their attack. By 1900 hours, they had captured their main objective, cutting off the Pakistani 93 Brigade retreating from the north. Link-up with 1st battalion, The [[Maratha Light Infantry]] (1 MLI) was established after the Marathas broke through at Tangail Road and reached the [[bridgehead]] that very evening. The Pakistanis, attempting to retake the bridge rushed the Indian positions that evening, however, were repulsed.<ref name=MajGenSharma1/> | ||
The Tangail Airdrop operation involved [[Antonov An-12|An-12]], [[C-119]]s, 2 [[De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou|Caribous]] and [[Douglas DC-3|Dakotas]] from 11 sqn and 48 Sqn. The [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] also carried out [[feint]] drops using dummies dropped from Caribou aircraft to hide the true location and extent of the operation. The only hitch was a Hangup from the lead Dakota. One Paratrooper had a static line hangup, who, after carrying out emergency procedures, was dropped safely about 50 miles away.<ref name=MajGenSharma1/> | The Tangail Airdrop operation involved [[Antonov An-12|An-12]], [[C-119]]s, 2 [[De Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou|Caribous]] and [[Douglas DC-3|Dakotas]] from [[No. 11 Squadron IAF|11 sqn]] and [[No. 48 Squadron IAF|48 Sqn]]. [[No. 49 Squadron IAF|49 Squadron]] 'the Paraspears', of the Indian Air Force was instrumental in raising and training the 'Kilo' flight of the Mukti Bahini. It was also the Paraspears who led the famed DELTA ORANGE formation of the Tangail drop which dropped troops of the 2 Para regiment which was a vital element in achieving the liberation of Bangladesh. The [[Indian Air Force|IAF]] also carried out [[feint]] drops using dummies dropped from Caribou aircraft to hide the true location and extent of the operation. The only hitch was a Hangup from the lead Dakota. One Paratrooper had a static line hangup, who, after carrying out emergency procedures, was dropped safely about 50 miles away.<ref name=MajGenSharma1/> | ||
===Pakistani war crimes=== | ===Pakistani war crimes=== | ||
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Indian Army which took over the Poongli Bridge from the Pakistani Army was ''"shocked"'' at ''"the sight of mutilated bodies of women, whom the Pakistani troops had killed just before fleeing from Poongli Bridge."''<ref name=MajGenSharma1/> | Indian Army which took over the Poongli Bridge from the Pakistani Army was ''"shocked"'' at ''"the sight of mutilated bodies of women, whom the Pakistani troops had killed just before fleeing from Poongli Bridge."''<ref name=MajGenSharma1/> | ||
==Aftermath== | |||
==Aftermath == | |||
The Tangail Airdrop and the subsequent capture of the Poongli bridge gave the advancing [[Indian Army]], assisted by [[Kader Bahini]], the maneuverability to side-step the strongly held Tongi-Dacca Road to take the undefended [[Manikganj District|Manikganj]]-Dacca Road right up to Mirpur Bridge at the gates of Dacca (Dhaka). | The Tangail Airdrop and the subsequent capture of the Poongli bridge gave the advancing [[Indian Army]], assisted by [[Kader Bahini]], the maneuverability to side-step the strongly held Tongi-Dacca Road to take the undefended [[Manikganj District|Manikganj]]-Dacca Road right up to Mirpur Bridge at the gates of Dacca (Dhaka). | ||
Pakistan Army's 93,000 troops unconditionally surrendered to the [[Indian Army]] and India's local ally [[Mukti Bahini]] on 16 December 1971.<ref name="Team">{{Cite news|url=http://www.ssbtosuccess.com/vijay-diwas-16th-december/|title=Why Do India Celebrate 'Vijay Diwas' On 16th December|last=Team|first=Editorial|date=2017-12-17|work=SSBToSuccess|access-date=2017-12-18|language=en-US}}</ref | Pakistan Army's 93,000 troops unconditionally surrendered to the [[Indian Army]] and India's local ally [[Mukti Bahini]] on 16 December 1971.<ref name="Team">{{Cite news|url=http://www.ssbtosuccess.com/vijay-diwas-16th-december/|title=Why Do India Celebrate 'Vijay Diwas' On 16th December|last=Team|first=Editorial|date=2017-12-17|work=SSBToSuccess|access-date=2017-12-18|language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
==Battle | ==Battle awards== | ||
Indian commander [[Kulwant Singh Pannu|Lt Col Kulwant Singh]] was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]] for his leadership in battle. The | Indian commander [[Kulwant Singh Pannu|Lt Col Kulwant Singh]] was awarded the [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]] for his leadership in battle. The 2 Paras were subsequently the first Indian forces to enter Dacca. For this and their role in Capture of the strategic bridge, the Paras received battle honour for Poongli Bridge and theatre honours for Dacca.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
{{Bangladesh Liberation War}} | {{Bangladesh Liberation War}} | ||
{{1971 Indo-Pak War}} | {{1971 Indo-Pak War}} | ||
{{Military of Pakistan}} | {{Military of Pakistan}} | ||
{{coord missing|Pakistan}} | {{coord missing|Pakistan}} | ||
[[Category:Battles of Indo-Pakistani wars]] | [[Category:Battles of Indo-Pakistani wars]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:04, 15 December 2022
| Tangail airdrop | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Bangladesh Liberation War and the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 India |
 Pakistan | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Lt Col K.S. Pannu |
Brig. Abdul Qadir Khan | ||||||
| Units involved | |||||||
 Indian Army Indian 2nd Parachute Battalion1 Maratha LI 49 Parachute Field Battery | Pakistani Army 93rd Brigade | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
Indian 2nd Parachute Battalion – 1000 PARA SF. 1 Maratha LI – Strength unknown | Unknown | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||
_%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B2%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE.png)
The Tangail Airdrop was a successful battalion-size Para Commandos (India) operation mounted on 11 December 1971 by the 2nd Battalion (Special Operations) (2 PARA) of the Indian Army's Parachute Regiment and the 49 Squadron of the Indian Air Force during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 for the liberation of Bangladesh. The main objective of the operation was the capture of Poongli Bridge on the Jamuna River which would cut off the Pakistani 93rd Brigade which was retreating from Mymensingh in the north to defend the capital of East Pakistan, Dacca, and its approaches. The paratroop unit was also tasked to link up with the advancing Maratha Light Infantry on the ground to advance towards the East Pakistani capital.[1]
Operation[edit | edit source]
Para drop[edit | edit source]
A battalion of Para Commandos (India) led by Lieutenant Colonel Kulwant Singh Pannu was reinforced by an artillery battery of 17 Para Field Regiment, an engineering detachment, an ADS, a surgical team and other administrative troops from the 50th (Indep) Parachute Brigade. Tasked to cut off the retreat of the Pakistani troops from the north towards Dacca, the unit touched ground at 1630 hours and was greeted by a jubilant crowd of local people, with some even helping the troops carry their packs and ammunition. The drop was dispersed over a wide area, but the Paras regrouped quickly and commenced their attack. By 1900 hours, they had captured their main objective, cutting off the Pakistani 93 Brigade retreating from the north. Link-up with 1st battalion, The Maratha Light Infantry (1 MLI) was established after the Marathas broke through at Tangail Road and reached the bridgehead that very evening. The Pakistanis, attempting to retake the bridge rushed the Indian positions that evening, however, were repulsed.[1]
The Tangail Airdrop operation involved An-12, C-119s, 2 Caribous and Dakotas from 11 sqn and 48 Sqn. 49 Squadron 'the Paraspears', of the Indian Air Force was instrumental in raising and training the 'Kilo' flight of the Mukti Bahini. It was also the Paraspears who led the famed DELTA ORANGE formation of the Tangail drop which dropped troops of the 2 Para regiment which was a vital element in achieving the liberation of Bangladesh. The IAF also carried out feint drops using dummies dropped from Caribou aircraft to hide the true location and extent of the operation. The only hitch was a Hangup from the lead Dakota. One Paratrooper had a static line hangup, who, after carrying out emergency procedures, was dropped safely about 50 miles away.[1]
Pakistani war crimes[edit | edit source]
Indian Army which took over the Poongli Bridge from the Pakistani Army was "shocked" at "the sight of mutilated bodies of women, whom the Pakistani troops had killed just before fleeing from Poongli Bridge."[1]
Aftermath[edit | edit source]
The Tangail Airdrop and the subsequent capture of the Poongli bridge gave the advancing Indian Army, assisted by Kader Bahini, the maneuverability to side-step the strongly held Tongi-Dacca Road to take the undefended Manikganj-Dacca Road right up to Mirpur Bridge at the gates of Dacca (Dhaka).
Pakistan Army's 93,000 troops unconditionally surrendered to the Indian Army and India's local ally Mukti Bahini on 16 December 1971.[2]
Battle awards[edit | edit source]
Indian commander Lt Col Kulwant Singh was awarded the MVC for his leadership in battle. The 2 Paras were subsequently the first Indian forces to enter Dacca. For this and their role in Capture of the strategic bridge, the Paras received battle honour for Poongli Bridge and theatre honours for Dacca.[citation needed]
See also[edit | edit source]
- Timeline of the Bangladesh Liberation War
- Military plans of the Bangladesh Liberation War
- Mitro Bahini order of battle
- Pakistan Army order of battle, December 1971
- Evolution of Pakistan Eastern Command plan
- Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 As a young captain in 1971 Bangladesh war, I gave Pakistan's Lt-Gen the letter to surrender, My battalion in the Air Force, 2 PARA, was the first troops to enter ‘Dacca’ after Pakistan's defeat., LT GEN NIRBHAY SHARMA (RETD), ThePrint, 11 December 2019.
- ↑ Team, Editorial (17 December 2017). "Why Do India Celebrate 'Vijay Diwas' On 16th December". SSBToSuccess. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
