A soldier who destroyed 7 Pakistani tanks ALONE!

BATTLE OF ASAL UTTAR
Time - 1965 Indo-Pak war
Venue - Khem Karan, Punjab

Battle of Asar Uttar is considered as the biggest Tank battle fought after World War - II.

It was the fiercest and decisive battle of 1965 war and was fought for over three days (Sep 8, 1965 - Sep 10, 1965)  between India and Pakistan after Pakistani Army entered Indian territory.

Buoyed by the new Patton tanks(technologically the best then) gifted by America and a weaker India after debacle in 1962 Indo-China war and death of Indian PM Pt. Nehru (died May 1964), Pakistan considered it the best time to take on India, of course, unaware that it takes a lot more than technology to stand in front of the Indian soldiers.

This battle is specifically remembered for the remarkable Indian strategy. Indian troops were outnumbered by Pakistani troops by a large margin - 6 Pakistani armoured regiments against 3 Indian armoured regiments (with inferior tanks).

Indian troops arranged themselves in a horse-shoe formation, camouflaged themselves with the surroundings and flooded the whole area. When Pakistani tanks entered the horse-shoe, they got slowed down in the mud and then were consequently attacked from three sides by the Indian troops.

Havildar Abdul Hamid who destroyed 7 tanks - 3 tanks during this final fight under intense enemy shelling and tank fire by a recoil-less gun.

He was awarded the Param Veer Chakra posthumously.

 CITATION
COMPANY QUARTERMASTER HAVILDAR ABDUL HAMID  

4 GRENADIERS (NO 2639985)  

            At 0800 hours on 10 September 1965 Pakistan forces launched an attack with a regiment of Patton tanks on a vital area ahead of village Cheema on the Bhikkiwind road in the Khem Karan Sector.  Intense artillery shelling preceded the attack.  The enemy tanks penetrated the forward position by 0900 hours. Realising the grave situation, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid who was commander of a RCL gun detachment moved out to a flanking position with his gun mounted on a jeep, under intense enemy shelling and tank fire.  Taking an advantageous position, he knocked out the leading enemy tank and then swiftly changing his position, he sent another tank up in flames.  By this time the enemy tanks in the area spotted him and brought his jeep under concentrated machine-gun and high explosive fire.  Undeterred, Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid kept on firing on yet another enemy tank with his recoilless gun.  While doing so, he was mortally wounded by an enemy high explosive shell.

             Havildar Abdul Hamid’s brave action inspired his comrades to put up a gallant fight and to beat back the heavy tank assault by the enemy.  His complete disregard for his personal safety during the operation and his sustained acts of bravery in the face of constant enemy fire were a shining example not only to his unit but also to the whole division and were in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

India won this battle and destroyed and captured 97 Pakistani tanks. India lost 12 tanks.

This area is now known as Patton Nagar.

Tanks which we see at the entrance of army cantt. in many of the cities all over India are mostly these Pakistani Patton Tanks captured during 1965 war.

JAI HIND!