Heroic deeds of Bengali soldiers in 1965 India-Pakistan war

The 17-day India-Pakistan war that took place from 6 to 22 September 1965 was an extremely significant event of that time. This conflict is also known as the “Second Kashmir War”. In this war, the officers and soldiers of the first East Bengal Regiment, which was predominantly Bengali, and the Bengali airmen—particularly pilots—of the Pakistan Air Force, displayed such courage and valour that they shattered the notion of the so-called “non-martial race theory” and earned Bengalis a new recognition in military history. At the same time, it also became a matter of wide discussion that then East Pakistan was extremely vulnerable in terms of defence. This article briefly highlights the heroism and achievements of Bengali soldiers during that war.

A Moving Farewell – August 1947
Among the many institutions carefully built by the British in India, perhaps their dearest creation was the “Indian Army”. In mid-August 1947, that army was divided between the two newly independent nations of India and Pakistan. Across the country, wherever there were cantonments and garrisons, Hindu, Sikh and Muslim officers began embracing one another in farewell. Everyone exchanged final greetings. Grand feasts, parades and even bhangra dances were held. A large gathering took place in Rawalpindi.

But the most moving farewell took place at the ballroom of the Delhi Gymkhana Club. As the final part of the programme drew near, it was impossible to sense that these officers were about to be separated into two different nations. Overcome with emotion, they reminded one another of future get-togethers: “So we shall meet during the hunting season in September, won’t we? And don’t forget the polo matches in Lahore. Or perhaps we must go to Kashmir this time to hunt wild goats.” Such descriptions of the farewell party were given by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre in their famous book Freedom at Midnight.

Not on the Polo Grounds, but on the Battlefield of Kashmir
Meanwhile, the sound of parting grew louder. Standing on the dais, Hindu Brigadier KM Cariappa (later India’s Army Chief and Field Marshal) said: “We are brothers forever, and wherever we are, we will remain brothers. We shall never forget those glorious days when we lived as one.” In an emotional gesture, Brigadier Cariappa handed over a silver trophy to Muslim Brigadier Agha Raja. The orchestra then played the Scottish farewell tune Auld Lang Syne. Yet, just 14 months later, in October 1948, they would face each other in tragic circumstances. None of them could have imagined it that day. Instead of the polo grounds of Lahore, their encounter was on the battlefield of Kashmir. Seventeen years later, in 1965, they would meet again—this time in the battlefields of Kashmir, Lahore and Sialkot.

East Bengal Regiment and First East Bengal Regiment
After Pakistan’s independence on 14 August 1947, following requests from Captain Abdul Gani (later Major) and a few other Bengali Muslim officers and political leaders, the Pakistan government decided to raise a regiment for Bengalis. It was named the “East Bengal Regiment”. On 15 February 1948, the first battalion, the “1st East Bengal Regiment”, was established at Kurmitola (Daroga Baghicha) in Dhaka. It was known as the “Senior Tigers” and popularly called the “First Bengal”. Its first commanding officer was Lt Colonel VJE Patterson.

The First East Bengal in defensive position at Bedian
In 1965, the 1st East Bengal was stationed at the Lahore Cantonment. At that time, its commanding officer was the capable Bengali officer Lt. Colonel Abu Taher Khairul Haque, known as ATK Haque, psc (later Colonel, “Sitara-e-Jurat”). Colonel ATK Haque later served as Pakistan’s Defence Attaché in Burma, where he died in Rangoon on 16 April 1968. The battalion’s second-in-command was Major Mong Kyaw (later Lt Colonel), a distinguished son of the Rakhine community. After independence, Lt Colonel Mong Kyaw served as Station Commander of Dhaka (1972–73) and later held a position in BRTC. Major Ziaur Rahman (later Lt General, Bir Uttam, Army Chief, and President) was Company Commander of Alpha Company. The Subedar Major was Md Khurshid. At that time, the battalion’s strength was about 750 personnel, of whom all but 10 to 12 were Bengalis.

In early August 1965, Pakistan launched a secret operation in disputed Kashmir known as “Operation Gibraltar”, in which armed guerrillas infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir. The aim was limited to engaging India in localised conflict within the region. After the failure of Operation Gibraltar, on 1 September the Pakistan Army launched “Operation Grand Slam” in Kashmir. In this situation, when Indian forces attacked Punjab province on 6 September, a full-scale war broke out. From the very outset, Indian forces gained the upper hand and advanced towards Lahore. Since Pakistan had placed greater emphasis on the Kashmir front, it was ill-prepared to face India in the Lahore and Sialkot sectors.

In anticipation of India’s attack on the Lahore region (Operation Riddle), on the night of 4 September the First East Bengal took up defensive positions around Bedian in Kasur district (Khem Karan sector), about 30 kilometres south-east of Lahore. The 1st East Bengal was part of the 106 Infantry Brigade under the 11th Infantry Division of Lahore Cantonment. The brigade was commanded by Brigadier Nawazish Ali. One of the three main routes from eastern Punjab to Lahore was the Khem Karan–Ferozepur–Kasur–Lahore road, which the 11th Infantry Division was responsible for defending. Meanwhile, the most important route—the Grand Trunk Road (GT Road) from Amritsar via Wagah into Lahore—was under the responsibility of the 10th Infantry Division. India’s 4th Mountain Division conducted its assault in the Khem Karan–Kasur region.

Commanding officer Lt Colonel ATK Haque deployed the battalion’s four rifle companies along an extended line without depth, taking up defensive positions on the western bank of the BRB Canal (Bambawali–Ravi–Bedian Canal) in the Bedian–Waizal area. Only a few hundred yards east of the canal lay the international border. The battalion headquarters was set up at Ibrahimabad.

It should be noted that this battalion had earlier been deployed in its operational area in Kasur during the emergency in June 1965 (Operation Spearhead). Because of its familiarity with the terrain, the unit was able to prepare defences and conduct operations effectively within a short time during the actual war.

The Indian attack and heroic resistance
At 4 am on 6 September, supported by infantry, tanks and air power, Indian forces launched an attack on the Bedian headworks (small barrage) area held by the 1st Bengal. But, with the vigilance of the Bengali Tigers holding the line, the attack was repelled. After five long hours, the Indian forces were forced to withdraw, suffering heavy losses. Following a short pause, the Indians resumed their assaults throughout 6 September, into the night, repeatedly attempting to capture the battalion’s defensive area. Each time, however, they were forced to retreat, leaving behind significant casualties.

At that time, Captain Mohammad Ziauddin was serving as the battalion’s Adjutant. Many years later, the author had the opportunity to hear directly from him about the circumstances at the start of the war. In one discussion, Lt Colonel Ziauddin recalled: “In the early hours of 6 September, at around 3:40 a.m., the post commander of the Satluj Rangers, who were positioned to the east in front of our battalion, informed me of the Indian attack. I immediately reported the matter to the Brigade Major of 106 Brigade. Soon afterwards, the Indian Army began shelling our battalion.”

At one stage of the battle, the commanding officer of the 1st Bengal took an innovative step. Using the sluice gates of the Bedian headworks, they cleverly diverted water into the Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC), built during the British era but then unused. As a result, the Kathanwalla area was flooded, creating a watery obstacle for the advancing Indians.

A pair of binoculars
Havildar Lutfur Rahman Chowdhury of Sylhet (later Honorary Captain) was serving in Alpha Company. One night, an unusual incident occurred in front of the battalion’s position. An Indian reconnaissance patrol of 11 men secretly entered the area to gather information, hiding in the sugarcane fields, when they ran into a patrol from the 1st East Bengal. The sharp and courageous Bengali patrol captured the Indians and brought them to battalion headquarters. One of the bravest among them, Lutfur Rahman Chowdhury, made a curious request: he asked to keep the binoculars of the Indian patrol leader. To his delight, the authorities granted his request. Many years later, in 2002, Honorary Captain Lutfur Rahman recalled the story to the author at Sylhet Cantonment. The binoculars, obtained on the distant Bedian front of the BRB Canal, found their way to the Surma-side city of Sylhet.

Despite setbacks in the early phase of the 17-day war, the Indian forces launched several more attacks on the battalion. But the indomitable Bengali Tigers repulsed them each time, forcing them to retreat. The Indians never succeeded in crossing the BRB Canal.

The valour and achievements of Bengali soldiers
It should be noted that during the First World War, the British government had taken the initiative to form a “regiment” of Bengali soldiers. Thus, on 26 June 1917, the first Bengali battalion, the 49th Bengali Regiment (or 49th Bengalis), was raised. From Karachi, this unit was later deployed to Mesopotamia and Kurdistan (Iraq). Notably, our national poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam, served in this battalion in Karachi for about 30 months, rising to the rank of Havildar. Although the 49th Bengali Regiment was sent to Iraq, Nazrul himself did not go there; he was stationed in Karachi. He was the first to provide realistic depictions of war in Bengali literature.

At the end of the war, in October 1920, the regiment was disbanded. Many of its soldiers had suffered health problems while serving in Iraq. Limited training, poor health, weak leadership, issues of discipline and other factors meant the unit could not demonstrate notable military success in the field. In reality, the Bengali Regiment was largely a product of a strong social movement of that era. On this subject, Lt. Colonel Mohammad Lutfal Haque wrote an outstanding book, Bangali Paltan: The Bengali Regiment of British India (2012). Although the 49th Bengali Regiment did not achieve the expected success on the battlefield, the 1st Bengal Regiment, raised in 1948, and the East Bengal Regiment as a whole, made history with their exceptional bravery in the Bedian–Khem Karan front of 1965.

Honorary Captain Abul Hashem – Bir Bikrom, TJ
In this war, 15 soldiers of different ranks from the First Bengal embraced martyrdom. They were buried at Lahore Cantonment cemetery (Lahore Memorial). In recognition of his bravery in this war, Sepoy (later Honorary Captain) Abul Hashem received the “Tamgha-i-Jurat” (TJ). Later, during the Liberation War of 1971, he was awarded the title of “Bir Bikrom”. In the 1965 war, he was in charge of a recoilless rifle (RR) in D Company’s anti-tank section. Today, Honorary Captain Abul Hashem lives in Bashundhara Residential Area in Dhaka. In his memories, still vivid in twilight years, remain the relentless Indian tank and air attacks on the Bedian defences, the rain of bullets, the spectre of death on the battlefield and the courage of Bengali soldiers.

Colonel MAG Osmani (later General and Commander-in-Chief of the Muktibahini, meaning liberation forces) was at that time Deputy Director of Military Operations at Army Headquarters in Rawalpindi. It is said that during the war he visited the Bedian region. Addressing a group of officers and soldiers of the 1st Bengal, he declared: “This is the ultimate opportunity of your lives. Show them what you are made of.” The fierce soldiers of the 1st Bengal lived up to his words. Among all Pakistani units in the 1965 war, the 1st Bengal won 15 gallantry awards—the highest of any unit.

At that time, young Captain Mohammad Ziauddin (later Lt Colonel, Bir Uttam) performed brilliantly as Adjutant. The battalion’s Quartermaster, Captain Sadequar Rahman Chowdhury (later Major General), received the “TQA” or “Tamgha-i-Quaid-e-Azam” for his exceptional efficiency. Nearly ten years later, these two “Captains” would face each other again in the battlefields of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (Bandarban), but this time as leaders of opposing forces—an extraordinary twist of history. The battalion’s youngest officer, Second Lieutenant Mahmudul Hasan of Alpha Company (later Major General and Ambassador), also displayed remarkable courage and skill in this war.

In 1982, as Adjutant General of the Army, Major General Sadequar Rahman Chowdhury visited Rajshahi Cadet College and spoke of his experiences in the 1965 war. As a cadet at that time, the author had the opportunity to hear this veteran recount the story of that war.

A brave company commander
Describing the experience of this war, the martyred President Ziaur Rahman wrote: “At that time I was a company commander of the battalion. We fought at Bedian in the Khem Karan battlefield. There, our battalion fought with great courage. The award-winning company of the battalion was mine. Pakistanis believed Bengalis were not good soldiers. In the battle of Khem Karan, that deep-rooted belief was shattered to pieces. In this war, Bengali pilots of the Pakistan forces also earned much fame. The bravery and skill of Bengali soldiers were praised, and in newspapers across the world the name of the East Bengal Regiment was mentioned.” (Ek Jati’r Jonmo, Bichitra, 26 March, 1974).

One noteworthy event of this war was when Major Ziaur Rahman’s ‘A Company’ recovered a destroyed tank, damaged by their own shells, and hauled it back from the battlefield. Today, that tank is preserved at the East Bengal Regimental Centre in Chattogram Cantonment.

Alongside infantry and air battles, tank warfare was also a major aspect of the time. Bengali officer Lt. Colonel M. I. Karim (later Major General) led a tank unit in the Khem Karan sector.

Border skirmishes in Mogalhat
The war was largely confined to West Pakistan. The people of East Bengal did not feel its direct impact. Only once did the Pakistan Air Force strike from Dhaka air base, launching an attack on India’s Kalaikunda air base in West Bengal. India did not launch any offensive in this region. However, on the Mogalhat border of Rangpur district (now Lalmonirhat), limited skirmishes took place between Indian soldiers and border guards on one side and East Pakistan Rifles (EPR) troops with the 4 East Bengal on the other. This included gunfire, mortar attacks and small-scale clashes. At that time, Major MA Hamid (later Lt Colonel) was commander of the 9th Wing (battalion) of the EPR in Lalmonirhat. He later described these incidents in his book “Fele Asa Sainik Jibon”, meaning “The tales of a soldier’s life”.

The role of Bengali airmen in aerial battles
Though the Indian Air Force had numerical superiority, the Pakistan Air Force was ahead in terms of aircraft and pilot quality. In the aerial battles, Bengali fighter pilots demonstrated outstanding skill and bravery. Squadron Leader MM Alam (later Air Commodore in Pakistan) became a hero when, on 7 September, he destroyed five Indian aircraft. This Urdu-speaking Bengali pilot was recognised worldwide as the “fastest jet ace”. For his courage, MM Alam became the most celebrated name in the Pakistan Air Force. Alongside the Bengali pilots (14 in total), Bengali navigators (nine in number) also displayed remarkable expertise and professional skill. That, too, is another chapter of history.

Among the pilots who showed extraordinary skill were Squadron Leader Alauddin Ahmed, Flight Lt Saiful Azam (later Group Captain), Wing Commander Golam Mohammad Tawab (later Air Vice Marshal and Chief of Air Staff), Flight Lt. M. Shawkat-ul-Islam (later Group Captain) and Flight Lt. Momtaz Uddin Ahmed (later Air Vice Marshal and Chief of Air Staff).

The youngest air force officer, Flying Officer Ziauddin Hasan, became the youngest recipient of the “Sitara-e-Jurat” gallantry award in the aerial war. This brave airman, then Flight Lieutenant, was killed in an air crash at Mauripur in March 1971. Later that year, in October, his younger brother, Second Lieutenant Jamil D. Ahsan (later Bir Protik, Major General and Ambassador), was commissioned into the army and took part in the Liberation War.

An incredible journey: A fighter pilot’s tale
Group Captain Shawkat-ul-Islam, in his memoir “My Incredible Journey”, described vivid recollections of the war in details. He served at the time in the renowned 11 Squadron, based in Sargodha. Squadron Leader MM Alam was also part of this squadron. Shawkat-ul-Islam’s book contains detailed accounts of the missions he flew during the conflict.

Former Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshal Momtaz Uddin Ahmed, in his book “Conspiracy Behind the Cockpit: Odyssey of a Fighter Pilot”, also gave a detailed description of the 1965 war. His very first mission as a young pilot, on 6 September, was an attack on advancing tanks near Wagah border, east of Lahore.

Massive propaganda during the war
One striking feature of the conflict was the extensive propaganda campaign run by the Pakistan government. The nation first heard about the war through President Ayub Khan’s radio broadcast, where India was accused of being the aggressor. The war was presented as a cause of religious zeal across both wings of the country. Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (later Prime Minister) even declared at the United Nations Pakistan’s resolve to continue the war with India “for a thousand years”.

In East Pakistan, opposition politicians, regardless of party affiliation, condemned the Indian attack and declared support for government measures to resist it. On two occasions—once after the war began and again after the ceasefire—opposition leaders including Nurul Amin, Ataur Rahman Khan and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman met Governor Monayem Khan at Governor House to exchange views on the situation. Writers and intellectuals in East Pakistan also issued statements condemning the Indian aggression and expressing solidarity with the war effort.

‘The war was fought over radio’
Writer-researcher Morshed Shafiul Hasan, in his book Swadhinatar Potobhumi: 1960 Doshok, gave a detailed account of the propaganda during the 1965 war. Many poets and writers joined the India-bashing propaganda campaign in newspapers, radio and television. Countless poems, songs, stories and plays were produced for the purpose. Ataur Rahman Khan noted: “In East Pakistan, the war was fought over radio. Poems, stories, songs, plays, commentaries and jari ballads were broadcast at storm speed. Many absurd stories were also spread over the radio—all patriotic in nature.” (Ataur Rahman Khan, Swairacharer Dosh Bochor). A section of the public even believed them.

In search of war literature
After the war ended, a group of writers and journalists from East Pakistan visited the border areas of West Pakistan and wrote books on the heroism of Pakistani soldiers. Two such works were Simanta Shibir by Hasan Hafizur Rahman and Ronangon (1966), edited by Munir Chowdhury, Syed Shamsul Haq and Rafiqul Islam. Reflecting on such writings, Morshed Shafiul Hasan observed: “If one day these stories are collected, compiled and analysed by researchers, they will stand as an outstanding example of ‘war literature’ or ‘propaganda literature’ and will answer many of our curiosities” (Swadhinatar Potobhumi: 1960 Doshok).

At the time, West Pakistani poet Agha Shorish Kashmiri composed poetry praising the valour of the East Bengal Regiment. The famous singer and actress Noor Jahan, born in Kasur, also sang in praise of Bengali soldiers and expressed her gratitude. The bravery of Bengalis in the war inspired the people of East Bengal. After the war, 1 East Bengal was felicitated in different places across East Pakistan. For its significant role in the defence of Lahore, 1 East Bengal was honoured with special recognition in West Pakistan. This bravery of Bengalis and the acknowledgement of it, particularly by West Pakistanis, further inspired the people of the region. However, even during the war, the authorities were busy using it for political and propaganda purposes.

The significance of the war
The 1965 India–Pakistan war was a unique chapter in Bengali military history. At that time, the so-called “non-martial race” theory was still prevalent in Pakistan, which claimed that Bengalis were unfit for military operations. But in practice, the soldiers of 1 East Bengal Regiment and Bengali airmen fought with courage and shattered that false notion. After this war, Bengali soldiers were freed from such stigma. Their skill and achievement earned recognition even within the Pakistani command structure. In post-war military evaluation reports, the fighting of the East Bengal Regiment was specially mentioned—an historic recognition for Bengalis.

After the 1965 war, leaders of several major political parties in East Pakistan demanded greater recruitment of young Bengalis into the armed forces. By the late 1960s, the number of Bengali youths joining all three services had increased. Work began on an arms factory in Gazipur, and the Eastern Command Headquarters was established in Dhaka.

Another crucial lesson of the war was the vulnerability of East Pakistan’s defence. While West Pakistan was engaged in full-scale war with India, Dhaka and the eastern region were virtually undefended. If Indian forces had launched an attack on East Pakistan’s borders, there was no real strength to resist them. This reality raised deep questions in political circles and public minds in East Bengal: “Shall we shed blood for the defence of Pakistan, while our own homes remain unprotected?” This question later contributed to sowing the seeds of Bengali self-reliance. At the time, however, the old argument was repeated: “The defence of East Pakistan lies in West Pakistan.” The 1965 war left a deep and far-reaching impact on the socio-cultural life of this region.

Even more important, the experience of the 1965 war gave Bengali officers and soldiers new confidence. This confidence transformed into armed resistance during the Liberation War of 1971.

In addition to First East Bengal and the Air Force’s pilots and navigators, many other Bengali members of all three services also demonstrated valour and skill in different fronts. Collectively, the status of Bengalis in the Pakistan armed forces rose. Their morale and confidence were strengthened. It can be said that this spirit inspired our armed forces to play a historic role in the Great Liberation War of 1971.

Thus, the 1965 war was not just a conflict between Pakistan and India; it was a turning point in the military capability and self-identity of Bengalis. The blood and courage of Bengali soldiers laid an invaluable foundation for the future Liberation War.

Remembrance
In this war, 15 members of 1 East Bengal embraced martyrdom. They were buried in Lahore Cantonment. After 1965, the mosque plaque at the East Bengal Regimental Centre in Chattogram was inscribed in their memory. Apart from 1 East Bengal, a number of other Bengali officers and soldiers from different units and services also laid down their lives. Among them was Major Sheikh Mobarak Ali, commissioned in 1952 and company commander of 16 Punjab. He died on 10 September fighting bravely in the Wagah sector. His daughter, Shahin Ali, wrote in detail about him in her essay Remembering My Father Shaheed Major Sheikh Mobarak Ali (Bandhan, 2019, published by Banani DOHS, Dhaka). Another was the talented air force officer, Squadron Leader Alauddin Ahmed, who died in aerial combat.

In conclusion
We respectfully remember those officers and soldiers who gave their lives in this war 60 years ago—they brought great honour to this nation. Many books and essays were later written about the war in the 1960s. Sadly, most were exaggerated, propagandist, emotional and one-sided. What is needed now is serious, research-based and objective analysis of this important war—one that will bring out the true story of Bengali soldiers’ extraordinary courage and present a coherent picture.

So far as is known, most Bengali servicemen who fought in the 1965 war have now passed away. A few air force pilots and navigators are still with us. But in time, there will be no one left to tell the story of this important war. Will this crucial episode of our military history be lost forever in the womb of time?

Brigadier General (retd) Bayezid Sarwar: Researcher and analyst