Grand Salam

Pakistan’s tryst with Kashmir although dates back to 1947, however it was on 1^st September 1965 that they gave their dream a strong push by launching operation “Grand slam”. It was a well drawn plan by the Pakistan military in which they wanted to bomb the vital Akhnoor bridge in Jammu and cut supplies to the entire Infantry division of the Indian Army. Simultaneously they wanted to threaten Jammu which was a vital location for Indian forces from the logistics point of view.

Akhnoor sector at that time was guarded by only four Infantry battalions and few squadrons of AMX 13 tanks. Pakistan at that time had superior M47 and M48 Patton tanks. With a clear advantage in favour of Pakistan, they made a fool of themselves by replacing their existing GOC  Maj General Akhtar Hussain Mallik by Maj Gen Yahya Khan. Due to this there was a day’s delay in attack and hence this change in guard gave India time to retaliate and send reinforcements to Akhnoor sector. On 6^th September Indian forces opened offensive from Punjab and therefore Pakistan forces had to retreat and send their forces from Akhnoor to save Pakistan’s Punjab. Rest is history.  As we celebrate 50 years of victory over Pakistan in 1965 war, let’s all pay tribute the soldiers who laid down their lives for protecting the pride and integrity of our nation. Jai Hind.