Meghna Heli Bridge

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"Operation Cactus-Lilly" redirects here. It is not to be confused with Operation Cactus.

Template:Warbox

Meghna Heli Bridge, codenamed Operation Cactus Lilly, was an aerial operation of the Indian Air Force during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, commencing India's involvement in Bangladesh Liberation War. It took place on 9 December, when the Indian Air Force (IAF) airlifted the IV Corps of the Indian Army and Mukti Bahini fighters from Brahmanbaria to Raipura in Narsingdi over the River Meghna, bypassing the destroyed Meghna Bridge and Pakistani defences in Ashuganj.

Operation[edit]

When the war broke out, IV corps went into action in the Agartala sector. At the start of the Dhaka Campaign, Dhaka was set as an objective for II Corps and IV Corps had been tasked to capture the fortress of Comilla.[citation needed] By 8 December, troops of the 57 Mountain Division and the IV Corps had already achieved their initial objectives of occupying the territory leading up to the Meghna.[1] The only way across the river was over the Ashuganj Bridge, which very soon became a fortress where a Pakistani division had consolidated itself. The strategic importance of breaking down resistance at Ashuganj soon became apparent to Lt Gen Sagat Singh, leading the IV Corps, who realised that his troops could, with a push, threaten Dhaka.[2] Once a significant force had been built up, there was no recognisable enemy force between the helidropped force and Dhaka. Ashuganj Bridge was the only bridge that spanned the huge Meghna River which at its narrowest point was more than 4,000 yards wide. With his troops at Ashuganj, Singh however, realised his formation would be joining in the race to Dhaka.[3][4] As would later turn out, II Corps was held at Kushtia by Pakistani defences and did not make it to Dhaka. However, Aerial photos also showed that the bridge had been destroyed and it would require the Army Engineers to construct a new bridge over the sprawling Meghna for Indian troops to advance. Anticipating high casualties in the attempt to take the bridge by force, Singh, along with Maj Gen B F Gonsalves, leading the 57 Mtn Div, made the decision to airlift the troops.[citation needed]

Brilliant in its conception, the idea was fraught with risks and dangers. The move had to go un-opposed, or at the worse, face minimal opposition from Pakistani troops north of Raipura. The Indian troops that were helidropped did not have artillery or armoured support.[5][6] On the 9th, troops began to be airlifted to Raipura, south of the Ashuganj Bridge. Once this position was consolidated, the troops were to be airlifted to Narsingdi. From Narsingdi the road to Dhaka would lie bare for IV Corps to take.[7] To provide support for the heliborne troops, PT-76 Tanks were told to ford the Meghna River.[8]

The IAF's operation was led by Group Captain Chandan Singh and utilised Mi-4 helicopters that had already been involved in the Sylhet air-lift on the night of 7 December.[9] Through the night of 9 December, the IAF air-lifted the entire 311 Brigade. The first troops, numbering around six hundred were landed through the night of the 9th, immediately making contact with Pakistani troops north of Raipura.[10] They however held their positions, with the IAF flying in reinforcements. Over the next 36 hours, over 110 sorties were flown.[11] The Mi-4, which normally carried 14 troops, carried as many as 23 on board. The troops were initially airlifted to Raipura, south of the Ashuganj Bridge. At the same time as this operation was on, 73rd Brigade moved across Meghna on boats and riverine crafts.[12][13]

After consolidating their positions at Raipura, the troops were helilifted to Narsingdi. After securing Narshingdi, Indian forces captured Daudkandi and Baidder Bazar on 14 and 15 December respectively, both with helicopter assault. From Narshingdi, the metalled road to Dhaka lay undefended for IV Corps to take.[citation needed]

Aftermath[edit]

The Pakistani Army had left the roads to Dhaka undefended moving their defences at the bridge-heads and defensive strong-points, expecting to hold the Indian Army at these positions long enough till the UN and international pressure halted the Indian advance. The Meghna Helibridge along with the Tangail Airdrop on 11 December ensured that these positions were by-passed, capturing the approaches to Dhaka.[citation needed] Moreover, the Pakistani garrison at Ashuganj was effectively put under siege, facing the Indian Army at Brahmanbaria and at Raipura. The Tangail Airdrop a day later denied the Pakistani 93 Brigade the sanctuary of Dhaka. Dhaka now could only be defended by troops within the city.[14]

Popular culture[edit]

Hindustan Ki Kasam a Hindi war movie directed by Chetan Anand and released in 1973 was based on the incidents of Operation Cactus Lilly.[15]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ "The epic role of helicopter units in 1971". The Indian Express. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Surrender at Dacca Birth of a Nation Lt Gen JFR Jacob". সংগ্রামের নোটবুক. 25 May 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  3. ↑ "..:: India Strategic ::. Army: The Indo-Pak Bangladesh Liberation War, 1971". www.indiastrategic.in. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  4. ↑ "1971 – India's Greatest Victory". www.spslandforces.com. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  5. ↑ Lambeth, Benjamin. "Airpower at 18,000': The Indian Air Force in the Kargil War". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  6. ↑ Rastogi, Naresh (20 October 2019). "How Indian Army won the famous tank battle of Asal Uttar in 1965 against Pakistan". ThePrint. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  7. ↑ "Kargil: The forgotten victims of the world's highest war". BBC News. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  8. ↑ "The Official Home Page of the Indian Army". www.indianarmy.nic.in. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  9. ↑ "1971 Air War: Battle for Air Supremacy". Indian Defence Review. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  10. ↑ Taneja, Nidhi (15 August 2021). "Rewinding: How Vijay Karnik's heroics led to India's victory in 1971 Indo-Pak war". www.indiatvnews.com. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  11. ↑ VrC, Capt Pushp Vaid. "Special Heli Borne Ops - Sylhet and Meghna". www.bharat-rakshak.com. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  12. ↑ "1971 War: Battle of Sylhet-The first Special Heli Borne Operation". Indian Defence Review. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  13. ↑ "Our Journey". Indian Air Force: Touch The Sky With Glory. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  14. ↑ "1971 war: The story of India's victory, Pak's surrender, Bangladesh freedom". Business Standard India. 16 December 2018. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  15. ↑ "Top 10 films on Indo-Pak conflict". The Times of India. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2012.

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