Battle of Dhalai

The Battle of Dhalai was a battle fought between India and Pakistan before the formal start 1971 India-Pakistan War for the liberation of Bangladesh.[1] The battle started after an attack by Indian army on Pakistani border outpost (BOP) in East Pakistan on 28 October and lasted until 3 November 1971. Three infantry battalions belonging to 61 Mountain Brigade, one battalion belonging to East Bengal Regiment and 7 Rajputana Rifles supported by an artillery sized brigade of Indian army[4][3] fought against a battalion sized 12 Frontier Force of Pakistan army.[5][4][6][7]

Battle of Dhalai
Part of Bangladesh Liberation War
Date28 October — 3 November 1971
(6 days)
Location
Dhalai, Bangladesh
Result Indian army capture Dhalai[1]
Belligerents
India India
Bangladesh Bangladesh		 Pakistan Pakistan
Commanders and leaders
India Lt. Gen Sagat Singh[2]
India Brigadier Kailas Prasad Pandey[2]
India Lt. Col. Devasan (WIA)
India Brigadier Shiv Yadav (WIA)[2][3]
Bangladesh Major Mohammad Ziauddin		 Pakistan Major Javed †
Units involved
Bangladesh 1st East Bengal Regiment
India 61 Mountain Brigade[1]
India 7 Rajputana Rifles[4]
India 2 Artillery Brigade[3]		 Pakistan 12 Frontier Force[1]

The task to capture Dhalai was initially given to Mukti Bahini. However, Mukti Bahini assault on Pakistani positions in Dhalai was unsuccessful. Later the Indian army took the task of capturing Dhalai. Pakistani troops under the command of Major Javed fought valiantly against the Indian troops.[4] After suffering fair number of casualties as result of fierce resistance put up by Frontier Force, Indian army under the command of Sagat Singh was able to capture Dhalai.[1] Pakistan troops in the area withdrew and Major Javed of Pakistan army was killed in the battle. Brigadier Shiv Yadav,[2] the Brigade commander and Lt. Col. Devasan of 7 Rajputana Rifles of Indian army were also badly injured in this battle.[4] Hamidur Rahman of East Bengal Regiment was also killed in this battle.

Awards

Hamidur Rahman of East Bengal Regiment was posthumously awarded the Bir Sreshtho, Bangladesh's highest award for valor, for his actions during the conflict.[8][9]

General Sagat Singh was highly impressed by Brigadier Pandey's performance during the battle and he recommended him for Maha Vir Chakra, India's second highest military award.[2]

See also

References
  1. AVM ARJUN SUBRAMANIAM (RETD) (22 November 2018). "Even before 1971 war started with Pakistan, India had won the battle". The Print (India). Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  2. "Brig 'Tom' Pande, the Maha Vir". Tribune India. 18 July 2021.
  3. Khullar, Darshan (2017). Themes of Glory: Indian Artillery in War. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. ISBN 9789385563973.
  4. Major General Ashok Kalyan Verma (15 May 2013). Jungle Odyssey (A Soldiers Memoirs). KW publisher Pvt Ltd. ISBN 9789385714771. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
  5. AVM ARJUN SUBRAMANIAM (RETD) (22 November 2018). "Even before 1971 war started with Pakistan, India had won the battle". The Print. Located right on the border between Tripura and East Pakistan and about 35 kilometre south-east of the important town of Maulvi Bazaar, the verdant gardens saw a pitched battle for over three days between 61 Brigade and 12 Frontier Force, a Pakistan Army battalion from 14 Division.
  6. "Notable battles in the 11 Sectors". Dhaka Tribune. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  7. "Battle of Dhalai". Defence Journal. December 1998. pp. 30–36. Archived from the original on 7 October 1999.
  8. "October 28, 1971". The Daily Star. 9 December 2014.
  9. "War heroes honoured". The Daily Star. 29 November 2009.

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