Military operations in Ladakh (1948)
Military operations took place in Indo-Pakistani war of 1947-1948
|
Relief of Leh
Pakistani raiders had besieged and reduced
Zojila pass on 16 February 1948, with rifles and ammunition for the garrison. They reached Leh on 8 March, where an ad hoc force for defence was organised, followed soon by a Jammu and Kashmir State Forces detachment bringing additional weapons.[2]
: 195–199
Reinforcement of Leh
The slow advance of raiders permitted reinforcement of Leh by air by a company of 2nd Battalion,
4 Gorkha Rifles (2/4 GR) and later a company of 2nd Battalion, 8th Gorkha Rifles (2/8 GR) by air just in time to repulse the raiders.[3]: 109 Had the raiders kept advancing they could have captured Leh easily. The garrison of Leh held despite shortage of troops, weapons and ammunition, sickness and fatigue. In August another company of 2/8 GR was flown in by air and the remaining part of the battalion, codenamed Arjun column, with a large column of supplies on mules, trekked to Leh from Manali. Another large mule column, codenamed Chapati column, followed in September to provide adequate supplies for the winter.[3]: 110–111 Lt Col (later Col) HS Parab, CO 2/8 GR, was airlifted to Leh on 23 Aug and later designated Commander, Leh Brigade (though the force never exceeded two battalions in strength).[1]
: 336 Spirited small unit actions and guerilla raids on both banks of the Indus effectively held the raiders at bay throughout September and October.
Capture of Zoji La
When Zoji La fell to the enemy in May 1948, it was vital for the Indians that the pass be recaptured before winter so as to relieve Leh. An unsuccessful frontal attack was launched by
3.7 inch guns, saw the enemy being surprised. The pass was forced and the enemy pushed back to Matayan
.
Liberation of Leh and Kargil
_1.jpg)
Since the raiders were inactive on the Leh front during 77 Para Brigade's operations in Zoji La, Leh Brigade went onto the offensive advancing from Tharu to Marol on the north bank of the
Nubra Valley
flank.
On the Zoji La front, 77 Parachute Brigade launched a deliberate attack and captured Matayan on 13 November and
: 126 The Indian pursuit was halted by fierce enemy action at Chathatang as the enemy soldiers blew themselves under Indian tanks to save their posts, 5 km ahead of the Marol fork of the Indus. The strong enemy defenses, on both banks of the Indus, resisted till 1 January 1949 when a ceasefire was called.References
- ^ a b c Prasad, S.N.; Dharm Pal (1987). History of Operations In Jammu and Kashmir 1947-1948. New Delhi: History Department, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. (printed at Thomson Press (India) Limited). p. 418..
- ISBN 0-86131-692-4. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
- ^ ISBN 81-7094-012-5. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
- ISBN 81-87966-36-X. Retrieved 6 August 2010.