Battle of Ichogil Bund

The Battle of Ichogil Bund also known as the Battle of BRB Canal was a skirmish fought from 22 September to 23 September 1965[3][6] as part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 in which approximately two Pakistani companies attempted to re-occupy the eastern bund of the Ichhogil Canal. However, the Pakistani forces were routed, resulting in an Indian victory, and the contested section of the canal was re-captured[7] by the 9th Battalion Madras Regiment,[3] under the command of Lieutenant Colonel B.K. Satyan.[2][4]


Battle of Ichogil Bund
Part of the Lahore Front

Pakistani Soldier engaging with Indian Army on BRB Canal
Date22–23 September 1965
(1 day)
Location
Ichogil Canal
Result

Pakistan repulses Indian offensive (Pakistani claims)

India captures Ichogil Bund (Indian claims)[1]
Belligerents
 India  Pakistan
Units involved
9th Battalion, Madras Regiment Unknown
Strength
800-900
(1 battalion)		 150-250
(2 companies)
Casualties and losses
Indian claims:
27[2]–49 dead[3]
65 wounded[3]		 Indian claims:
48 dead
11 captured and 80 jumped into the canal and washed away.[4][5]

The battle was notable for being fought after the cease-fire had been signed on September 22. Fighting began around midnight and lasted for about 2 and a half hours. Accounts differ: between 27 and 49 Indian soldiers died.[3][6][2] Pakistani casualties included 48 dead, 11 captured and 80 jumped into the canal and were washed away (presumably dead).[3]

The Ichogil Canal was constructed by the Pakistanis in the 1950s partly as a defensive obstacle to prevent an invasion of Lahore. At 45 m (148 ft) wide and 5 m (16 ft) deep, it presents a serious obstacle for military forces.[3] Much of the battle was fought from across the canal, with tanks providing fire support to a ground team which had crossed the canal.[3]

See also

References
  1. Combat Journal. College of Combat. 1987. p. 7.
  2. Service, Tribune News. "Ichhogil battle remembered". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  3. Capt, R.S.G. (2005). Major Defence Operations Since 1947. Ocean Books. ISBN 9788188322671. Retrieved 10 December 2017.
  4. Ramachandran, D. P. (8 September 2015). "The might of the Thambis". The Hindu.
  5. D.P. Ramachandran (2008). Empire's First Soldiers. Lancer Publishers. p. 198. ISBN 978-0-9796174-7-8.
  6. Empire's First Soldiers By D.P. Ramachandran, p. 197, Lancer Publishers, 2008
  7. Jamna Das Akhtar (1969). Political Conspiracies in Pakistan. Punjabi Pustak Bhandar. p. 380.

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