Col Alok Mathur, SM (Retired)
Pakistan launched Operation Grand Slam on 1 September 1965 with 12 Division and one Armoured Brigade, in the J&K sector. On 05 September 1965, Jaurian had fallen and the enemy was just 10 kms from the Akhnoor bridge on the river Chenab. Jammu was threatened. The Indian prime minister sanctioned opening of the Punjab and Rajasthan front.
On 6 September 1965 Operation Riddle was launched by the Indian Army. The Vajra Corps of the Indian Army, with 15 ,7 and 4 Mountain Divisions were launched for a limited offensive on a wide front. Indian 2 (I) Armoured Brigade commanded by Brig Thomas K Theogaraja was corps reserve of Vajra Corps and was located at Taran Taran. It had three regiments, Deccan Horse equipped with Shermans; 8 Cavalry equipped with AMX 13 and 3 Cavalry equipped with Centurions Mk 7. Deccan Horse was with 4 Division at Valtoha, 8 Cavalry was covering Khemkaran-Patti-Harike axis, 3 Cavalry was a strike reserve. 14 Horse (Scinde Horse) was allotted to 15 Division for offensive on the Lahore axis.
The Indian Vajra Corps tasted success within 24 hours and were on the Ichogil Canal 15 kms deep into Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Operation Grand Slam came to grinding halt and its 4 Corps with 10 Division and 11 Division were tasked to stabilise the situation by fighting a defensive battle in Lahore sector.
Pakistan’s 1 Armoured Division was launched for a major offensive to offset Operation Riddle of the Indian army. The offensive was codenamed Operation Mailed Fist and its objective was to check-mate the Indian offensive of Vajra corps and mitigate the threat to Lahore on Kasur-Khemkaran -Asal Uttar-Harike axis. It was also given the objective to capture Beas Bridge Near Jandiala Guru and cut off GT Road Amritsar-Jalandhar.
Khemkaran was captured by Pakistan on 8 September and a bridge-head was established by 11 Division. On 8 September, Pakistan Armoured elements attempted to advance into territories of Indian Punjab at Valtoha and Chima with an Armoured Brigade strength. Pakistan’s 6 Lancers, under Lt. Colonel Gul reached Valtoha railway station but was ordered to wait for PAF to strike first. Surprisingly, the Pakistani commander, Brig Bashir, ordered retreat of his regiment to Khemkaran for night harbour.
On 9 September, Maj General Nasir Khan who was unhappy with the slow progress of Toofan Division committed 4 and 5 Armoured Brigades for rapid advance on multiple thrust lines . The Pakistani offensive recommenced.
On the Indian side, 18 Rajputana Rifles was ready to counter them. Lt Colonel Gul, Commandant 6 Lancer was killed by snipers of 18 Rajputana Rifles near VaItoha. 24 Cavalry was stalled before Asal Uttar by Deccan Horse,1/9 GR and 7 Grenadier. Meanwhile 4 Cavalry, led by Lt Colonel Mohmad Nasir advanced fast along UBDC followed by 5 Horse. A pitched fought ensued between Indian and Pakistani troops. Indian Deccan Horse and 7 Grenadiers contested the advance but the Pakistani’s managed to capture a few villages. At last light, they again went in to harbour.
By now, 2 (Independent) Armoured Brigade Commander had released 3 Cavalry for a counterattack. The regiment, on orders from its commandant, laid a horse-shoe ambush with 4 Grenadiers in general area Asal Uttar-Chima. The entire area was flooded with a breach in Rohi Nala water. The Indian then waited for the kill.
On 10 September 1965, Pakistani armour commenced operations at day light with new vigour in the boggy sugarcane fields. As the Squadron of 4 Cavalry swung towards Chima from North, it hit defences of 4 Grenadiers. CQMH Abdul Hamid knocked down four Pakistani Pattons with his 106mm Jeep mounted RCL.
3 Cavalry commanded by Lt Col Salim Caleb maneuvered and deployed his regiments in a triangle, selecting Chima-Dibbipua-Mehmudpura as the killing zone. 3 Cavalry gunners, on code word Maro, started engaging the enemy trapped in the well laid ambush.
By the last light of 10 September, the ace crews of 3 Cavalry have destroyed 58 Patton tanks, 6 Chaffee Light tanks, 6 Sherman, ,8 RCLs and many M113’s. The equipment kept burning throughout the night. Surprisingly, 40 serviceable Patton tanks were abandoned by Pakistani tank crews. Even One F 86 Sabre was claimed shot by the anti-aircraft machine gun of a Centurion of 3 Cavalry.
In summary, regiment decimated the entire Pakistani 4 and 5 Armoured Brigades. 63 Patton tanks were shot down and 40 brand new tanks captured since the Pakistani crew abandoned them. 4 Cavalry,12 Cavalry and 24 Cavalry of Pakistan ceased to exist.
On 11 September, Commandant 4 Cavalry of Pakistan, Lt Col Mohmad Nasir along with 11 officers and 80 troops surrendered with maps, operational plans and personal weapons. Another incident merits special mention. As the battle was progressing, a convoy of three Jeeps appeared on road Khemkaran-Bhikiwind. The leading jeep was driven by Brig Ahsan Rashid Shami, Commander Artillery and Major General Nasir Khan was sitting on the commander’s seat. Their pennants were flying which indicated that they were unaware of the situation. An LMG post of 4 Grenadiers opened fire on identification of the Pakistani flag. The VIP convoy tried to turn back in panic but the jeeps overturned. Three Pakistani tanks came rushing and evacuated the injured. Later, an Indian patrol went to check the overturned Jeep and found dead body of Brig Rashid Shami, who was later buried with military honour by 4 Grenadiers.
The tank battle of Asal Uttar is remembered as the largest tank vs tank engagement since the Battle of Kursk salient in World War II, between German Panzers and Russian Armour. As explained above, the battle was fought from 8 September to 10 September 1965. One regiment of the Indian army, 3 Cavalry, blunted the blitzkrieg of Pakistan’s I Armoured Division.
3 Cavalry had initially been part of Indian I Armoured Division but was demanded by Brig Thomas K Theogaraja for Khemkaran sector to reinforce 2 (l) Armoured Brigade. It moved with speed under hostile air threat and reached Taran Taran just 48 h before the counter-offensive by Pakistan’s 1 Armoured Division. It was, thus, destined to create history.
Lt Col Salim Caleb was an expert in Armoured warfare. It is quite apparent from the battle that he had trained his troops well. The entire unit was with high morale and rearing for action. It produced results despite a major enemy armoured thrust in which Khem Karan had fallen.
The regiment did not blink despite reports of a 100 tanks were lined up against it. Tank Columns started from Khemkaran-Amritsar road towards Asal Uttar. In the first encounter that took place at Asai Uttar at 1600h on 8 September, ALD Charan Singh of B Squadron engaged a leading Patton tank of 24 Cavalry and destroyed it.
10 September proved to be waterloo for 1 Armoured Division. The action of 3 Cavalry changed the tide of the Battle in India’s favour.
Lt Col Salim Caleb with a destroyed Pattion Tank
For its exemplary performance at Asal Uttar and for protecting the honour of the nation, 3 Cavalry was awarded with one Mahavir Chakra (Lt Col Salim Caleb) one Vir Chakra (Major SC Vadhera) and seven Sena Medal. It was given with Battle honour Asal Uttar and Theatre honour Punjab. Patton Nagar was created where all destroyed Pak Armour was displayed to the International media and 3 Cavalry were bestowed with title of “Patton Wreckers.”
The most treasured compliment for the regiment was a “Shabash” received from then President Radhakrishnan and personally from Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. A note saying “Well done Caleb and great show 3rd Cavalry,” was received from Field Marshal KM Cariappa, OBE.
The role of the regiment did not end here. As the war progressed, it was tasked to capture Sehjra Bulge, a highly fortified Pakistani salient in Punjab. This time, the centurions of 3 Cavalry advanced rapidly with skill and courage and captured its objective -Shejra within 24 Hours. 3 Cavalry was bestowed Battle Honour Shejra and Theatre Honour Punjab once again by the President of India. 3 Cavalry is a one of the most highly decorated and War tested regiment of the Indian Armoured Corps and has always lived up to its motto – “Har Maidan Fateh “