Battle of Atgram
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The Battle of Atgram Complex, fought on the 21 November 1971 between the 5 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army and the 31 Punjabs of the Pakistan Army, was one of the first engagements between the two opposing forces that preceded the formal initiation of hostillities of the 1971 Indo-Pak War, and also one of the first large scale assaults launched by the Indian army against East Pakistani forces preluding to the 1971 war.
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[edit] Site of the Battle
The battle was fought on the border village Atgram, in the Sylhet District of then East Pakistan, approximately 35 Kilometres from the (then)East Pakistani town of Sylhet. The village lay across the River Surma, which served as a de-facto border, seperating East Pakistan from the Cachar District of Assam , India.
The target of the Indian operation was the Atgram complex. Situated two kilometres inside the International Border across the River Surma, Atgram served as a major road communication centre at the eastern edge of Sylhet Division of East Pakistan, connecting it with Zakiganj to the south opposite the Indian Border town of Karimganj. The complex itself comprised of a Pakistani border outpost on the River Surma, a Masjid close to the outpost and the village of Atgram itself. The site was held by a defending force of the of the B company of the 31 Punjab Regiment , Pakistan Army, along with additional elements of Mujahids, Thal/Tochi Scouts and the Pakistan Rangers under Major Azhar Alvi, supported by Medium Machine Guns (MMGs), Recoiless Guns (RCLs), Chinese Rocket Launchers and 81 mililmetre mortars. Surrounded by low lying marshes, nearly knee deep, Atgram itself lay on a higher ground. The Battalion Headquarter of 31 Punjab was reported to be located at Charkhai with some troops 10 Kilometres West of Atgram.
[edit] Assault plan
The Indian Army's 59 Mountain Brigade led by Brigadier C A Quinn, was tasked to capture Atgram-Zakiganj Salient by 21 November 1971 and on orders progress operations further.
Accordingly, 4/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) was tasked to capture the Atgram Salient by first light 21 November 1971 and advance further towards Charkhai and secure Sarkar Bazar, which lay approximately 4 Kilometres West of the village of Atgram. The 9 Guards of 59 Mountain Brigade were given the task of capturing Zakiganj. The plans for the attack, drawn up by Lieutenant Colonel A B Harolikar, aimed to surpirse the defending Pakistani force by infilitrating, and establishing road blocks to prevent reinforcements from Sarkar Bazar from the west Zakiganj to the south. This meant that to reach the Atgram, the Gorkhas had to cross the River Surma, infiltrating between Pakistani defences of Raigram and Amalsid , proceeding through four kilometres of marshes and launching the assault on Atgram complex from the rear. The force was then to proceed and clear the Border Outposts. The Gorkha C Company and an Adhoc Force, was tasked to setup the road blocks and hold the approaches, while the main attack on Atgram was to be carried out by A and D Companies. To achieve maximum possible surprise, as well as a psychological factor, the main attack was planned as a with Kukris.
[edit] The Operation
[edit] Crossing the Surma
The C Company of the Gorkhas, headed by Major Maney Malik and accompanied by the Commanding Officers Group,were the first to cross the Surma on the night of 20 November. These first elements secured the far bank of the River, establishing a firm base across for the rest of battalion to pass through and move in between Pakistani Border Posts. These were followed by B Company, led by Major VS Rawat. B Company was tasked to establish a road Block at Sarkar Bazar west of Atgram. A Company- led by Major Dinesh Rana- and D Company- led by Major Rattan Kaul- and the Adhoc Force under Major Yashwant Rawat were the last to cross the river. After the last of the troops had passed through, C Company reeled up for the move to block the Atgram - Zakiganj road. Pakistani defences at Amalsid, Kelagram and Raygram did not pick up these movements. However, the force, under the cover of darkness, did run into some Pakistani patrols who failed identify their identity or numbers, possibly believeing them to be Mukti Bahini guerrillas and did not pursue them.
[edit] Approaching Atgram
The initial progress of the Indian troops through the marshy stretch under intermittent Pakistani fire was slow. However, the battalion closed in undetetcted to their objective from the rear by the later part of the night. C Company and the Adhoc Force had by this time blocked the Atgram – Zakiganj road, with the B Company blocking the road from Sarkar Bazar. As pre-planned, Major Dinesh Rana's force (A Company) took the left of the assault group, while Major Rattan Kaul's force (D Company) formed the right flank. The centre of the assault group was formed by Lt Col Harolikar's troops (Battalion Headquarters).
[edit] The main assault
The assault began at about 0430 Hours 21 November 71, as dawn broke. A and D Company launched a fierce Khukri assault which caught the the Pakistani defences by surprise. In the battle Major Azhar Alvi was killed while he attempted to take out tried the Indian CO Brigadier Harolikar, the D Company Commander and others. After capture of Atgram, A Company secured area of Chargram, West of Atgram. D Company secured Amalsid Masjid and Amalsid BOP (IB). 31 bodies of Pakistanis including Major Azhar Alvi were counted and scores injured reported.
After the capture of Chargram, A Company moved to Sarkar Bazar to reinforce road block established by B Company under Second-in-Command Major Shyam Kelkar. After securing Amalsid, D Company was also moved to Sarkar Baazar and built up on the other two Companies (B and A). Next day the road block force, battalion less a company (CO's Group, A,B and D Company), moved further towards Charkhai.
