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, Pakistan | ||||||
| Casualties | |||||||
| 1000 | ? | ||||||
| 1971 Indo-Pakistani War |
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| Battle of Hilli – Battle of Longewala – Battle of Basantar |
The 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 the most pitched battle that took place in East Pakistan, now Bangladesh. The battle of Hilli took place between 23rd November 1971 and 11th December 1971,[1] though the final surrender took place on 18th December, 1971.
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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 by establishing a block in the read of Pakistani forces in Hilli, upon which the 4FF Battalion in Hilli was withdrew for the defence of Bogra.
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 and 100 lb bombs.
On the Pakistan side, the Area of Responsibility (AOR) was on 205 Brigade of Pakistan Army led by Brigadier(later retired as Major General) Tajammul Hussain Malik. Brigadier Malik was from the Awan tribe and the Awans are known for being the most fierce and brave fighters. He had joined the brigade 4 days ago, when he volunteered to leave the safe haven of GHQ, Rawalpindi and command troops in the East Pakistan. He put up a stiff resistance that earned praise from many quarters though it was largely forgotten in Pakistan. 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. They fought the entire Indian division and the rebels till the Indians decided to bypass Hilli and establish a block in its rear. Brig. Malik withdrew the forces in Hilli for the battle of Bogra. Bogra was surrounded from all sides by the combined might of the Indian army and the rebels and the Pakistani Eastern Command surrendered in Dacca on 16 December, but 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. The Indian army had by then, surrounded the city of Bogra. The Brigade Major along with some 50 ORs surrendered but the brigadier still full of vigour refused to give up. 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 and was taken semi-conscious from the battlefield to the Indian army hospital. Major General Nazar Hussain Shah, was especially flown in from Natore for the surrender of this brigade on 18 December 1971, due to the refusal of Brigadier Malik. He thus became the only 'red tape' officer to have resisted surrender and to have physically faced the Indians. Upon return from captivity, he was the only brigadier out of 32 or so who fought the 1971 War in East Pakistan to have been promoted to Major General rank.
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. The Indians were so impressed by General Tajammul Hussain Malik’s fighting tactics that 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.
[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] Notes
[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.
