Ghaznavi Force
The Ghaznavi Force (Urdu:غزنوی فورس), named after famous Muslim conqueror Mahmud of Ghazni was an auxiliary Special Operations unit formed by the Pakistan Army as part of Operation Gibraltar in 1965 to infiltrate Jammu and Kashmir in the hopes of provoking a local revolt against the Indian regime there. It was the only Force whose actions were deemed successful by both Pakistani and Indian Armies during Operation Gibraltar. It had a strength of approximately 500 and was composed of regular Pakistani soldiers of the Azad Kashmir Regular Force and commandos from the Special Service Group. Its commander was decorated officer Major Malik Munawar Khan Awan SJ.[1]
History
The Ghaznavi Force was one of 10 total units, each named after a historic Muslim leader, to be assembled for the operation (the others including Salahudin, Tariq, Babur, Qasim, Khalid, Nusrat, Sikandar and Khilji), but it was the only one whose actions were deemed successful by the Pakistan Army.[2] It infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir in July 1965 to operate in the Mehdar-Rajuri area with the aim of denying Indian access to Pir Panjal Range and establishing a strategic flank for the "Salahudin Force" to capture Srinagar and halt any Indian reinforcements from getting there from Mehdar and Rajouri by ambushes and destroying bridges, all of which it effectively did. It attacked and captured Mehndar, Rajauri (including Rajauri Garrison), Thana Mandi and Budhil. The total area captured was approximately 500 km2 which is a record in Military history of Indian and Pakistan Army to capture this much area with a tactical force of the size of a Battalion. Kashmiri locals joined this force in large numbers making it appear larger than its original size, and it was resupplied with ammunition dropped from PAF planes. The Ghaznavi Force initially captured Munawar Pass, a pass named after its commander after the war, and inflicted heavy casualties on Indian troops there. On the night of August 6, 1965 the Force attacked the Indian garrison at Rajouri and overran the defenders. It was the only unit that remained intact until the end of the conflict and was withdrawn back to Pakistan after the resulting Second Kashmir War and later disbanded.[3]
Infiltration
Infiltration of these forces started by the end of July 1965 through different sectors. Ghaznavi Force with all its strength and equipment was launched through Kotli, Khoi Rata and Nakial Sectors into Darhal Malkan, Rajouri, Kandi, Budhil,thanamandi,mehndar and sarankot. Major Munawar had chosen Green Plains around Sanasar lake as his Force Headquarter. A Para drop site was also established for PAF Aircraft to drop supplies in these plains around this lake. Munawar assigned one company under Capt. Sher Ahmed to warpal malkan and thana mandi, other company under Capt Maqsod Hussain Shah to Budhil and Kundi in the North East of Rajouri. Company each under command Capt. Muhammad Din and Capt. Khursheed were sent to carryout Guerilla actions in Huqa pani,mehndar,pir kali and sarankot. Capt. Mohsin was tasked to carryout Operations in the Bhimbar Sector,Noushera,Sandar bani and Jungles of Kali Dhaar. By 6 August Ghaznavi Force captured Budhil and had formed Revolutionary Councils for Kandi and Budhil headed by Faqeer Muhammad and Sardar Hussain Buxsh respectively. From August to September the force carried out various activities throughout Mehdar,Rajouri,Thana and Budhil areas to block and inflict damage on Indian Army movements, depots,units and headquarters besides urging local Kashmirs to revolt. Some of the recorded actions were:
Operations
Some of its recorded activities behind enemy lines were:
Encounter at Kseni Hill
On 1000hours night 14 August troops of Ghaznavi Force blocked the Indian Army's supply route by blowing up 6 bridges constructed over Tavi river. This was the first major action since arrival into the area. Indian Army reacted by launching a Multi Directional Attack on 8 August on Budhil but Ghaznavi stood its ground. Major Munawar laid a skillful ambush at Kseni Hill, from where Ghaznavi Force struck the crossing columns of Indian Army forcing them to retreat with heavy casualties. By 18 August, Budhil, Kandi and all the adjoining areas were under Ghaznavi's Control and a large number of locals volunteered to join it.[4]
Clash At Mohar Malai
On 1 September Munawar sent a company of Ghaznavi Force to capture Riyasi under Lieutenant Khadim Hussain, after crossing Panchi mountain they crossed Tavi,then started moving towards Mohar Malai. On 2 September at 1000hrs Khadim's Company reached Mohar Malai and unexpectedly came into confrontation with resting troops of a company of Indian Army destined for Raj Nagar. A brief firefight took place in which 21 Indians were killed and Khadim lost six of his own men. The rest of the Indian Company retreated towards Raj Nagar.
Battle of Palma (Rajouri)
By 4 September All the Forces of Operation Gibraltar less Ghaznavi were either trapped, destroyed or had withdrawn back to Pak and the operation had virtually ended. Ghaznavi launched its initial offensive for Rajouri by an assault on Munawar Pass (Named after Major Munawar After the war) a strategically located pass in Pir Panjal Range and captured It after inflicting heavy casualties on Indian troops. On 12 September 1965 0200hrs Ghaznavi Force initiated its attack on Palma from three directions. Palma was the Garrison and Cantonment of Rajouri City housing Headquarters of Indian Army's 25th Infantry Division and a Regiment of Infantry. Palma was attacked by Munawar with a strength of more than thousand individuals mostly the locals. Palma was soon filled with terrifying noise of gunfight between Ghaznavids and Indian Troops. Indian Infantry Battalion was caught off guard. Divisional Headquarters was hastly shifted away from Palma while the Indians lost more than 400 men. Ghaznavi Force losses were 115 killed and more than 150 Injured. Palma was finally Captured together with Rajouri City by 13 September 1965.
Encounter at Ramban Bridge
Ghaznavi Force fought its last action at the Battle of Ramban Bridge where Munawar with his Ghaznavi Force skillfully trapped and ambushed Indian 3rd Kamaon Regiment sent under Lt-Col Sinha to recapture Rajouri. It was forced to pursue Ghaznavi Force elements in the Nullah Depth by an ambush and was inflicted with very heavy losses once it moved down the Nullah forcing it to retreat leaving its dead, injured and equipment behind. India ultimately announced head money worth Rs 10,00000 for killing Ghaznavi force Commander Major Munawar.
Withdrawal
Ghaznavi Force was the only Force out of all 9 Forces established as part of Operation Gibraltar, that remained intact and firmly held its ground until the end of the conflict, it continued to dominate western and south western jammu till the end of the war and welcomed the UN observers who landed in Rajouri to monitor Ceasefire. It was withdrawan (despite protests by its commander who feared Indian retaliation against local population) back to Pakistan after the ceasefire on 22 September 1965 and was later disbanded.[3]
See also
References
- ↑ Farooq Bajwa (30 September 2013). From Kutch to Tashkent: The Indo-Pakistan War of 1965. Hurst Publishers. pp. 117–. ISBN 978-1-84904-230-7.
- ↑ Almeida, Cyril (30 August 2015). "Gibraltar, Grand Slam and war". Dawn.
- 1 2 http://www.rediff.com/news/special/war/20050919.htm
- ↑ Chadha, Vivek (1 April 2012). "Low Intensity Operations in India". Low Intensity Conflicts in India: An Analysis.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Library of Congress Country Studies.
