SECTION 3 - (CHAPTER 12)

STATEMENT RE. ADVANCE OF INDIAN ARMY ACROSS
BORDER IN LAHORE SECTOR

Lok Sabha on 6 September, 1965

Hon. Members are aware that I have been keeping them appraised from time to time about the aggression being committed on our territory by the armed forces of Pakistan, clandestinely at first and openly thereafter. The first wave of aggression was through armed infiltrators constituted from regular and irregular soldiers of the Pakistani Army, though Pakistan assumed a posture of innocence with regard to these happenings. On 1st September the Government of Pakistan threw off this posture and put in its regular forces in the shape of a massive armed attack in the Chhamb sector of our State of Jammu & Kashmir. This attack was mounted with a large force of infantry and tanks and accompanied by air cover. Naturally, we have had to repel all these attacks and our armed forces have been giving an exceedingly good account of themselves, notwithstanding the difficulties which they had to face. We have, as I informed Hon’ble members earlier, had to carefully watch the developing situation and have had to take an overall view of the defence of the country.

On the afternoon of 5th September Pakistani aircraft intruded across the international boundary at Wagha near Amritsar and fired rockets at an Air Force Unit. Anti-aircraft action drove them away. This violation was reported but there were further violations over the same border by the Pakistan Air Force and it was quite apparent that Pakistan’s next move was to attack Punjab across the v International border. The indication that this was going to happen was building up over some time. In order to forestall the opening of another front by Pakistan, our troops in the Punjab moved across the border in Lahore Sector for the protection of the Indian border.

In the Kashmir Sector in Chhamb, violating the international order, Pakistan came across with a large number of Patton and Sherman b tanks, supported by both heavy and medium Artillery. We repulsed these attacks and have taken positions in the vicinity of Jaurian where we have held the enemy. The position is well and strongly held and the strategic importance of it is fully realised. I would like to say that in the last 24 hours we have destroyed three more Pakistani Sherman tanks. Fighting is still going on and two positions into which the enemy had infiltrated have been cleared of the enemy.

In the Valley and along the Cease Fire Line within the last 24 hours the situation has been generally quiet. I would like to bring to the notice of Hon’ble Members action taken two days ago at North of Tithwal where our troops occupied three Pakistani positions which were overlooking us and covering the road to the Northen Sector intensively used by the infiltrators.

Our aircraft carried out a number of sorties over West Pakistan this morning and attacked a number of military installations including a goods train carrying military stores and inflicted considerable damage. All our aircraft returned safely.

We have taken the decision to effectively repel Pakistani aggression in the full knowledge that the whole nation, irrespective of party alignments, is one with the Government in this matter. The Prime Minister has received the fullest assurance from all quarters in this regard. I am sure Hon’ble Members and the country will show appreciation of the great gallantry with which our Army has been fighting against odds in our State of Jammu and Kashmir, in extremely difficult terrain as in the Kargil and Haji pir areas. The House is undoubtedly also proud of the performance of our boys in the Air Force who have destroyed several Pakistani Sabre jets. I have no doubt now that our Armed Forces will give a worthy account of themselves.