Battle of Hilli
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| Battle of Hilli | |||||||
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| Part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 | |||||||
 Commanding officer of the 38 Punjab Regiment of the Pakistani army, Major Hussain (left), surrendering to the Indian army on 16 December 1971 |
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| Combatants | |||||||
| Indian Armed Forces | Military of Pakistan | ||||||
| Commanders | |||||||
| Major General Lachhman Singh | Brigadier Tajammul Hussain Malik | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 20th Indian Mountain Division | 205 Infantry Brigade | ||||||
| Casualties | |||||||
| ? | ? | ||||||
| 1971 Indo-Pakistani War |
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| Battle of Hilli – Battle of Longewala – Battle of Basantar |
Battle of Hilli or the Battle of Bogra was a major battle fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation War. It is generally regarded as one of the most pitched battles that took place in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. The attack on the north western border town Hilli even preceded the war and there was continual fighting for nineteen consecutive days from November 22, 1971 to December 16, 1971. Sporadic fighting continued until December 16 when Pakistan's Eastern Command surrendered in Dacca.
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[edit] Battle
The main objective of the Indian Army was to control Bogra, thereby cutting off Pakistan forces in the north from the rest of East Pakistan. The best way of getting to Bogra was through Hilli. The frontal assault on the Pakistan fortifications took a huge toll on both sides - the Indian Army suffering the greater number of casualties - before Indian forces finally broke through.
The Indian side consisted of the 20 Indian Mountain Division led by Maj-Gen. Lachhman Singh. The constituent units of this division were 66 Brigade, 165 Brigade, 202 Brigade and 340 Brigade (all infantry units), 3 Armoured Brigade, 471 Engineer Brigade and two artillery brigades augmented by 33 Corps Artillery. The ground troops were aided by aerial support provided by the Indian Air Force which had acquired air superiority in the east and were armed with rockets, guns, napalm and 100 lb bombs.
On the Pakistan side, the 205 Brigade of Pakistan Army was led by Brigadier -later Major General (Retd) - Tajammul Hussain Malik. He had joined the brigade 4 days ago, when he volunteered to leave the safehaven of GHQ, Rawalpindi and command troops in the East Pakistan. Earlier he had proven his mettle in 1965 war when he as the Commanding Officer of 3rd Baluch Regiment dropped dead the first Indian strike on Lahore on the morning of 6th September. He put up a stiff resistance that earned praise from many quarters though it was largely forgotten in Pakistan. He had prepared a stout defence with tactical finesse. He had placed screens along the railway line nearby and at the Railway Station complex in the area. The defensive positions were sited in depth to cover all routes leading into East Pakistan. He was a courageous leader, always leading from the front and motivating his soldiers to give up a good fight. For 19 days, Indian army could not move an inch forward of Hilli, until the lone Pakistani battalion, 4FF was pulled back for the defence of Bogra. The condition of Pakistani soldiers at the end stage of the battle was the most desperate any soldier can be in. Without sleep, food and artillery or air cover, they fought the entire Indian division and the rebels till the Indians decided to bypass Hilli and establish a block in its rear. It was at this point that Brig. Malik withdrew the forces in Hilli for the battle of Bogra. When Bogra was surrounded from all sides by the combined might of the Indian army and the rebels and Pakistani forces had surrendered in Dhakka on 16th December, Brig. Malik refused the order to surrender. He, in his staff car with flags and stars uncovered went around the streets of Bogra motivating his soldiers to keep fighting. Surrender to him was not the fate of a muslim soldier. The Indian army pounded the city of Bogra with heavy artillery, tanks and airstrikes. Even then fighting continued with full rigour till the Brigade HQ were surrounded and the Brigade Major alongwith some 50 ORs surrendered. Brig. Malik ordered the rest of his brigade to break out in small groups to Naogong, where one of his units was still fighting on. However en-route, him and his orderly were caught by the Mukti Bahini rebels. They broke his arms and head but still he refused to surrender, and was taken semi-concious from the battlefied to the Indian army. For the surrender of his brigade, Major General Nazar Hussain Shah, the 16th Division commander, had to be flown in from Natore on 18th December 1971. This battle is significant because of the sheer valour and determination of Pakistani troops. According to Lt-Gen. J S Aurora (the Indian commander) the battle of Badhuria fought within this sector against 205 Brigade was the toughest battle of the entire war. Whereas in the rest of East Pakistan, Pakistani troops easily withdrew or surrendered, the 205 Brigade gave a determined and stiff resistance, which won the praise of many.
The battle was a significant one as it involved great personal valour on both sides. This is highlighted by the fact that soldiers on either side won their nation's highest military honours. This battle was also unique in that it had started before the official start of the India Pakistan war but continued right until the formal surrender of Pakistan. Unlike other battles in the East where the Indian army dominated, Pakistan forces gave a very good account of themselves before the combined might of the Indian military managed to occupy the area. After the war the Indians had sent a team of experts to study the battle on the ground and determine reasons why such a heavy force as described above could not break through that sector till the end[citation needed].
[edit] Awards
- Lance Naik Albert Ekka, 14 Guards of the Indian Army, who fought in this battle, received the only Param Vir Chakra to be awarded in the Eastern Sector during the 1971 War.
- Major Muhammad Akram Shaheed of Pakistan won the Nishan-E-Haider, the highest military honour of the country.
[edit] See also
[edit] Further reading
- Indian Sword Strikes in East Pakistan by Major General Lachhman Singh Lehl
- Victory in Bangladesh by Major General Lachhman Singh Lehl
- 'Story of my Struggle' by Major General Tajamal Hussain Malik
[edit] References
- General A.A.K.Niazi (1998). Betrayal of East Pakistan. Manohar Publishers. ISBN 81-7304-256-X.
- Indian Air Force
- Defence Journal of Pakistan
- Hamoodur Rahman Commission Report.
