Battle of Chumb (1965)

Battle of Chamb (1965)
Part of Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and Operation Grand Slam
Top to bottom, left to right: Pakistani M48 Patton advancing in Chamb sector. AMX-13 of the Indian Army captured by Pakistan. Captured AMX-13 tanks being used by Pakistan in Chamb. Aftermath of an ambush on an Indian army artillery battery commander's convoy. Major Muneer Khan Orakzai of the 12th FFR's R&S battalion flanked by his senior JCO and the RATELO observing the battlefield at Chumb-Jaurian. Wreckage of a shot down Indian Vampire.
Date 1–2 September 1965 Location Chumb (present-day Azad Kashmir) Result Decisive Pakistani victory Territorial changes Pakistan captures 288 sq km (111 sq miles) in and around Chamb (later returned to India as per the Tashkent Declaration)
Belligerents
Pakistan	India
Commanders and leaders
Maj. Gen. Akhtar Hussain Malik	Unknown
Units involved
12th Division 13th Lancers 11th Cavalry 10th Infantry Brigade 102nd Infantry Brigade 4th Artillery Corps No. 7 PAF squadron	10th Division 20th Lancers 191st Infantry Brigade 161st Field Artillery Regiment 6th Sikh Regiment No. 45 IAF squadron
Strength
8,000 troops 90-100 tanks 110 artillery guns 2 fighter jets	4,000-6,000 troops 20 tanks 20 artillery guns 12 fighter jets
Casualties and losses
75 soldiers killed 2 tanks destroyed 4 artillery guns destroyed	212 soldiers killed, 49 captured 8 tanks destroyed, 12 captured 7 artillery guns destroyed, 13 captured 4 fighter jets shot down

This article is about the battle in 1965. For the battle in 1971, see Battle of Chumb.

The Battle of Chumb was a major battle fought in the early stages of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, during Operation Grand Slam. After brief but fierce fighting, the battle culminated in a decisive victory for Pakistan, and the Indian Army retreated with heavy losses.

Background

In May 1965, Pakistan Army drew up plans for an offensive operation to capture the crucial city of Akhnoor in Indian Kashmir, with the aim of severing India's supply lines to Jammu and bringing it to the negotiating table. This operation was dubbed Operation Grand Slam and launched on September 1st 1965, when the Pakistan Army attacked the Chamb sector in the vicinity of Akhnoor. The Pakistani force consisted of 8 infantry battalions, 6 tank squadrons, and 18 artillery batteries, and were commanded by Akhtar Hussain Malik. Indian forces in the region were out-numbered (with only 4 infantry battalions, 1 tank squadron and 3 artillery batteries) and possessed inferior equipment.

Battle

On September 1st 1965, at about 0330 hours, Pakistan launched artillery strikes on Indian positions at Chamb, Dewa, Mandiala, Munawar and Borjeal, carried out by 9 field, 7 medium and 2 heavy artillery batteries. These strikes lasted till about 0500 hours, when Operation Grand Slam fully commenced and a sizable Pakistani force crossed the line of control, consisting of 8 infantry battalions, 6 tank squadrons and 18 artillery batteries (the numerical equivalent of roughly 8,000 soldiers, 90-100 tanks and 100-120 artillery guns).

Skirmish at Borjeal

Borjeal, sometimes known as Borajal, was an Indian fortification located on the Line of Control along Azad Kashmir. At an altitude of about 950 feet, it provided a clear view of the Pakistani side. The position consisted of pillboxes arranged in a semi-circle formation, which were connected to each other by underground tunnels. The position was defended by 2 companies of India's 6th Sikh regiment.

Half of Pakistan's 102 Brigade and a squadron of 13 Lancers attacked Borjeal, despite initial plans to bypass the position. The position was overwhelmed within hours despite being well-defended. 14 Indian soldiers were captured in the skirmish, and an unknown number more were killed. Following victory at Borjeal, Pakistan advanced to the city of Chamb.

Fall of Chamb

The terrain around Chamb was uneven, with a number of ridges and streams that made advances difficult for large armored formations. This benefited the thinly-stretched defenders, who in some cases were able to effectively engage Pakistani tanks such as near the Tawi stream. However, this ultimately failed to curb the Pakistani advance. The Indian forces in the area were outnumbered, possessing only 4 infantry battalions, 1 tank squadron and 3 artillery batteries (about 4,000 men, 15-20 tanks and 20 artillery guns). Additionally the Pakistanis possessed superior equipment in the form of American-made M47 Patton and M48 Patton tanks, which far outclassed the French-made AMX-13 light tanks used by the Indians. Pakistan's 8-inch Howitzers were also superior to anything in Indian use at the time. According to Pakistani military historian Major (retd.) A. H. Amin, the Indian AMX-13 tanks were like 'matchboxes' in front of the Pakistani Pattons. The Indian forces at Chamb and surrounding areas put up some resistance initially, but were defeated by the Pakistanis after brief but fierce fighting. India's defenses had been caught off-guard, and the Pakistan Army, with its superior equipment, tactics and training, made steady gains. Offensive maneuvers cut off or strained most of India's supply lines in the area. At last, having suffered heavy losses and unable to reinforce their positions, the Indians retreated and the region came under Pakistani control. Roughly 288 square kilometers (111 square miles) in and around Chamb were captured by Pakistan.

Aerial Combat

On 1 September, the No. 45 Squadron of Indian Air Force carried out airstrikes on the advancing Pakistanis using 12 De Havilland Vampire aircraft. While these strikes were somewhat successful in slowing down their advance, the Pakistanis quickly requested aerial assistance. Two F-86 Sabres of the No. 7 Squadron of the Pakistan Air Force engaged the Vampires. In the resulting dogfight, 4 Vampires were shot down, including 3 by the Sabres and 1 by ground fire,while Pakistan lost none of their aircraft. These losses resulted in the Vampires eventually being retired from service by the Indian Air Force.

Casualties

Indian losses at Chumb were heavy; with 212 killed and 49 captured (14 at Borajal and 35 at Chumb). Their only tank battalion in the area was annihilated, with 8 tanks destroyed and a dozen tanks captured in operational condition (later used by Pakistan against India). 7 artillery guns were also destroyed and 13 more captured, one of which was named 'Chamb di Rani' (Queen of Chamb) by the Pakistani forces. This gun was reportedly used by the Pakistanis against India later in the war. India also lost 4 Vampire fighter jets to Pakistani F-86 Sabres in the aerial clashes above Chamb. Pakistani losses stood at 75 killed, 2 tanks destroyed and 4 artillery guns lost.

Gallantry Awards

General Akhtar Hussain Malik was awarded the Hilal-i-Jur'at, Pakistan's second-highest military honor, for his valiant leadership and performance during the battle.