CHARLIE SQUADRON 25 CAVALRY AND COMPANY 2 PUNJAB ATTACK GADGOR ALREADY EVACUATED BY INDIAN ARMY AFTER 1700 HOURS 8TH SEPTEMBER 1965 AND CAPTURE IT WITH ZERO CASUALTIES-25 CAVALRY SQUADRON COMMANDER MYSTERIOUSLY SUFFERS AN INJURY AND IS EVACUATED TO HOSPITAL DURING THIS ATTACK (original) (raw)

CHARLIE SQUADRON 25 CAVALRY AND COMPANY 2 PUNJAB ATTACK GADGOR ALREADY EVACUATED BY INDIAN ARMY AFTER 1700 HOURS 8TH SEPTEMBER 1965 AND CAPTURE IT WITH ZERO CASUALTIES-25 CAVALRY SQUADRON COMMANDER MYSTERIOUSLY SUFFERS AN INJURY AND IS EVACUATED TO HOSPITAL DURING THIS ATTACK • April 2023 • DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.29224.85761 • Agha H Amin MAJOR SHAMSHAD ALI KHANS ACCOUNT OF THE ABOVE ATTACK:-- We had formed up some 1500 yards away from the village. The area between my tank and Gadgor village was flat with maize field and devoid of cover. I ordered the gunner to fire at the Mandir. It was a direct hit. I had ordered the tank commanders that whenever the tank was static, they should fire a few shots on the village even if they did not see the enemy. After one or two leaps, all four tanks would rush on the village. Enroute they could stop for a while to fire a few shots on the village in quick time and move again. As we started the attack, I was in a state of excitement and fear. Forgetting about my other tanks my eyes were fixed on the village. To be frank, I never expected to reach Gadgor. There were all the chances of getting hit in the absence of covering artillery fire. It is surprising that the enemy did not bring artillery fire on us, although we were forming-up under their nose. In few minutes time my four tanks reached the outer perimeter of the village and at this time I received a message from Dafadar Azam, the operator of my squadron commander " hello 61, Imam injured and has gone back, out". 3 I Immediately I went up on the air, " hello Charley 60, I take over command, advance, out". At this time my tank was passing two enemy burnt out Centurion tanks, a jeep and one or two dead Indian soldiers. These casualties we not inflicted by us during the attack but were the result of the tank to tank battle which was raging since morning. The other two troops of C Squadron were not visible to me. I could neither locate B Squadron which was supposed to be on the right of the Phillora - Gadgor track. The depth of this village was not more than 100 yards. It took us more time to negotiate the built up area than the time taken to cover the distance of 1500 yards from the Forming-Up-Place. The major difference being that the former distance was covered in great fear and apprehension, while the later was covered in high spirits 3 This was Major Raza , nickname GINGER RAZA. Major Shamshad’s narrative leads us to the impression that Major Raza’s injury was not serious but superficial. Lieutenant General Mahmud in his book fallaciously claims that Major Raza throughout stayed with his squadron during this days battle. as we had reached our objective without any casualties, with not a shot being fired at us from the village. 4 After clearing village Gadgor , we continued to advance 4 The Indian version was that withdrawal was ordered by Brigadier KK Singh ,commander 1st Indian Armoured Brigade , so there were no Indian troops at Gadgor .This is one most possible explanation of why no shot was fired at Shamshads attacking squadron from the village. along the track till such time we were fired at from area Manronwali.