BATTLE OF DOGRAI - 1965 INDO PAKISTAN WAR

 INTRODUCTION

The Battle of Dograi was a military battle fought from 20 to 22 September 1965 during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. It took place in the area of Dograi village on the outskirts of Lahore in Pakistani Punjab.


BACKGROUND

Dograi is a strategically important village as it is located just 49 km from Lahore, the capital of Pakistani Punjab and the second largest city of Pakistan. The village being so close to Lahore gave it a high degree of importance as it would be an important bargaining chip in any regional negotiations and exchanges after the close of the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War. 


INITIAL

Prior to the main battle, the 3rd Jat Battalion of the Indian Army had already tried to capture Dograi on 6 September 1965, but had to abandon their position due to the strafing of supply lines by Pakistan Air Force aircraft. 


Between 6 September and 20 September, several attempts were made to capture Dograi, but were unsuccessful due to the strengthening of the position by the Pakistani Army.


On 20 September, the 3rd Jat unit, consisting of over 500 men and commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Desmond Headey, was tasked with capturing the position. 


The defending Pakistani army consisted of 16 Punjabi, 3 Pashtun troops, consisting of over 900 men. 16 Punjab was commanded by Lt Col GF Golewala. 


Reconnaissance patrols reported that Dograi was well fortified with pillboxes and buildings in the area built-up to cover all axes. The Pakistani infantry battalions manned two light machine guns in each infantry section, and the attacking Indian forces were expecting to encounter much stiffer resistance. Heavy mining and wires also made access extremely dangerous. 


WAR

The 3rd Jat Battalion advanced into the flanks of the Pakistani position during the night and began its attack. Despite the unexpected attack taking the Pakistani troops by surprise, the fighting was intense and fierce, initially with guns and grenades, and then with bayonets and finally with bare hands. After enduring 27 hours of non-stop fighting and operations, the Pakistani troops surrendered and abandoned the position. [3] [4] Indian troops advanced to the eastern bank of the Ichogil Canal just hours before a UN-mediated ceasefire came into effect. 



RESULT

India captured Dograi just a day before the ceasefire was announced and was used as a valuable bargaining chip in the Tashkent talks.


The battle is remembered by the Indian Army as the one in which 550 Indian soldiers successfully captured the fort's position, more than twice the number of the well-entrenched defenders. For gallantry, the Indian Army awarded 3 MVCs, 4 VRCs, 7 Sena Medals, 12 Mention in Despatches and 11 COAS Citations. 

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