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The Battle of Chawinda was a major engagement between Pakistan and India during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 as part of the Sialkot campaign. It is well known as being one of the largest tank battles in history since the Battle of Kursk, which was fought between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany in World War II. [14]
Beginning in April 1965, India and Pakistan engaged in a series of skirmishes across the Line of Control (LOC). In August, Pakistan attempted mass infiltration into Kashmir in Operation Gibraltar . On 5 August, Pakistani soldiers crossed the LOC dressed as Kashmiri locals, heading for various areas within Kashmir. [ 11 ]
They first engaged in the town of Phillora. Failure on the Pakistani side to cause damage to the Indian advance forced the 6th Armoured Division to retreat to the town of Chawinda on 11 September and the Battle of Phillora was an Indian success. [82] Pakistan lost 66 tanks in the battle while India only lost 6. [83] [84] [85]
Chawinda was the site of a key tank battle during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, where the Pakistani forces blocked the advance of the Indian Army which had thrust itself into the Sialkot district in an effort to thwart Pakistan's own advances into Indian-administered Kashmir.
This battle was the largest tank battle since Kursk in 1943 and has been forever associated with the 6th. Amongst the many commendations received was one by the President which read: The President of Pakistan has commanded that his personal congratulations be conveyed to All Ranks under your command for the exemplary, successful and courageous ...
On 19 September, a Gnat [43] and two Sabres [48] were shot down over Chawinda. One of the Sabres was credited to S/L Denzil Keelor, [48] the brother of Trevor Keelor, who was credited with the first Indian aerial victory of the war. [61] The following day, another two Hunters [43] and an F-86 Sabre [48] were lost over Kasur, Pakistan.
Get the Chawinda, Punjab local weather forecast by the hour and the next 10 days.
Battle of Chawinda concludes; Gujarat Beechcraft incident takes place and an Indian civilian aircraft is shot down by Pakistan air force. 22 September: Battle of Dograi ends in an Indian victory; 22-23 September: Battle of Phillora ends in an Indian victory