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{{Short description|Battle of the Bangladesh Liberation War (1971)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Battle of Garibpur
| width =
| partof = [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] and [[Indo-Pakistani War of 1971]]
| image =
| caption = Tankers and officers of C Squadron after the battle
| date = 20–21 November 1971 ({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=11|day1=20|year1=1971|month2=11|day2=21|year2=1971}})
| place = Garibpur, [[Khulna Division|Khulna]], East Pakistan
| coordinates =
| result = Indian-Bangladeshi victory<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-11-24 |title=Remembering a great battle barely 100km from Kolkata |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/remembering-a-great-battle-barely-100km-from-kolkata/articleshow/79378560.cms |access-date=2024-04-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
| combatant1 = {{flag|Bangladesh|1971}}
* {{flagicon image|Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg}} [[Mukti Bahini]]
{{flag|India}} {{small|(20 November – 21 November 1971)}}
* {{army|India}}
| combatant2 = {{flag|Pakistan}}
* {{army|Pakistan}}
| commander1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Indian Army.svg}} [[Colonel]] DS Jamwal (Regiment Commanding Officer 1971-73) {{flagicon image|Flag of Indian Army.svg}} [[Colonel]] TS Sidhu {{flagicon image|Flag of Indian Army.svg}} Lieutenant Colonel (later Brigadier) R K Singh, [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]], CO 14 Punjab {{flagicon image|Flag of Indian Army.svg}} [[Major (rank)|Major]] Daljit "Chiefy" Singh Narang{{KIA}}, [[Maha Vir Chakra|MVC]], CO C Squadron, 45 Cavalry<ref name="Mehta">{{cite book |author1=B. S. Mehta |title=The Burning Chaffees: A soldier's first-hand account of the 1971 war |date=2021 |publisher=Penguin Books |isbn=978-0-143-45465-6}}</ref> {{flagicon image|Flag of Indian Army.svg}} [[Captain]] (later [[Brigadier]]) Balram Singh Mehta,<ref name=quint>{{cite news |last1=Upmanyu |first1=Kabir |title=The Battle of Garibpur: Veterans Recall the Prelude to 1971 War |url=https://www.thequint.com/videos/news-videos/battle-of-garibpur-a-prelude-to-india-pakistan-war-1971 |work=The Quint |date=21 November 2017}}</ref> 2nd In Command, C Squadron, 45 Cav<ref name="Mehta" /> {{flagicon image|Flag of the Mukti Bahini-DeFacto.svg}} Captain (later [[Colonel (Bangladesh)|Colonel]]) [[Khondkar Nazmul Huda]], [[Bir Bikrom|BB]], Sub-sector commander (Boyra), [[List of sectors in the Bangladesh Liberation War|Sector-VIII]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-07 |title=মুক্তিযুদ্ধে চৌগাছা রণাঙ্গন ও একজন বীরবিক্রম নাজমুল হুদা |url=https://sarabangla.net/feature/post-820107/ |access-date=2025-11-18}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=bdnews24.com |title=কারা কেন সেই হত্যাকাণ্ড ঘটিয়েছিল, সত্য বেরিয়ে আসুক: কর্নেল নাজমুল হুদার মেয়ে |url=https://bangla.bdnews24.com/bangladesh/ih42y4csjg |access-date=2025-11-18 |website=কারা কেন সেই হত্যাকাণ্ড ঘটিয়েছিল, সত্য বেরিয়ে আসুক: কর্নেল নাজমুল হুদার মেয়ে |language=en}}</ref>
| commander2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg}} Brigadier Mohammad Hayat<ref name="Mehta" />
| strength1 = 14 [[PT-76]] amphibious tanks<ref name="Mehta" /> ~900–1,200 light infantry<ref name="Mehta" />
| strength2 = 14 [[M24 Chaffee]] light tanks<ref name="Mehta" /> 2–4 [[M40 recoilless rifle|105mm Recoilless Rifles]]<ref name="Mehta" /> ~2,700–3,600 light infantry<ref name="Gidh" />
| casualties1 = 2 tanks destroyed, according to Brig. B.S Mehta<ref name="Mehta" /> 4 tanks destroyed, according to Col. V.Y. Gidh<ref name="Gidh">{{cite web |url=https://usiofindia.org/publication/usi-journal/the-unique-battle-of-garibpur/ |title=The Unique Battle of Garibpur}}</ref> 70 casualties (28 KIA, 42 [[Wounded in action|WIA]])<ref name="Gidh" />
| casualties2 = 6 tanks destroyed 4 tanks damaged 3 tanks captured<ref name="Mehta" /> 300 infantry killed/wounded<ref name="Gidh" />
| campaignbox = {{Campaignbox Bangladesh Liberation War}}
| units1 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Indian Army.svg}} C Squadron, [[45th Cavalry (India)|45 Cavalry]]<ref name="Mehta" /> {{flagicon image|Flag of Indian Army.svg}} 14th Battalion, [[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]]<ref name="Mehta" />
| units2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of the Pakistani Army.svg}} 107th Infantry Brigade<ref name="Mehta" /><ref name="Gidh" />
*6th Battalion, [[Punjab Regiment (Pakistan)|Punjab Regiment]]
*21st Battalion, Punjab Regiment
*22nd Battalion, [[Frontier Force Regiment|Frontier Force]]
*3rd (Independent) [[Pakistan Armoured Corps|Armoured Squadron]]
}}
The '''Battle of Garibpur'''<ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-11-23 |title=India marks 50 years of battle of Garibpur before 1971 war with Pakistan |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-marks-50-years-of-battle-of-garibpur-before-1971-war-with-pakistan-101637608668870.html |access-date=2024-04-18 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-11-24 |title=Remembering a great battle barely 100km from Kolkata |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/remembering-a-great-battle-barely-100-km-from-kolkata/articleshow/79378560.cms |access-date=2024-04-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Battle of Garibpur - Bharat Rakshak - Indian Army & Land Forces |url=https://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/history/1971war/277-battle-of-garibpur.html?fb_comment_id=1086645571424574_4156703871085380 |access-date=2024-04-16 |website=www.bharat-rakshak.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2021-11-23 |title=India marks 50 years of battle of Garibpur before 1971 war with Pakistan |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-marks-50-years-of-battle-of-garibpur-before-1971-war-with-pakistan-101637608668870.html |access-date=2024-03-30 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> was fought between the Indian forces and Pakistani forces for the control of the village of Garibpur, now in [[Bangladesh]]. On 20 November 1971, Indian troops of the 14th Battalion of the [[Punjab Regiment (India)|Punjab Regiment]] with 14 supporting [[PT-76]] tanks from the [[45 Cavalry]] moved in to capture the areas around Garibpur in [[Pakistani]] territory.<ref name="Mehta" /><ref name="Gidh" /> The battle started by Pakistani troops counterattacking the next day to recapture Garibpur.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Battle of Garibpur {{!}} Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses |url=https://www.idsa.in/jds/the-battle-of-garibpur-vijay-yeshvant-gidh |access-date=2024-04-29 |website=www.idsa.in}}</ref>

==Background==
After months of internal tensions in [[East Pakistan]] (now Bangladesh) and a clampdown on Bengali nationalists, the independence forces had coalesced into the combined [[Mukti Bahini]]. After initial success by Pakistani troops against the Mukti Bahini, there had been some relative calm in the region, and further Indian assistance was sought to turn the tide. India thus started to involve itself deeper into the conflict brewing in the east and stationed its troops near the border.

The Boyra [[salients, re-entrants and pockets|salient]], in north-western East Pakistan, consisted of Garibpur and was at an important crossroads for both nations. Its control was thus vital, as it gave the Indian Army a highway to [[Jessore (city)|Jessore]] from India.

==Capture of Garibpur==
Lieutenant Colonel RK Singh (CO 14 Punjab) had been given the objective of crossing the river west of Garibpur; securing the village; and cutting off the Pakistani 107th Infantry Brigade, which was in the village of Chaugacha, north of Garibpur, from supplies coming from Jessore. Assisting him would be the 102nd Engineer Regiment and "C" Squadron, 45 Cavalry under Major Daljit "Chiefy" Singh Narang. The deadline given to Singh for the objective was 21 November.<ref name="Gidh" />

However, Garibpur and its surroundings were so lightly defended that the Indian units had captured the town by 20 November with no resistance. That morning, despite the success of the larger force, a routine Pakistani patrol bumped into an Indian advance patrol, which gave the Pakistani positions at Chaugacha warning of the Indian attack. Pakistani intelligence, as a Pakistani prisoner-of-war would reveal after the battle, informed the 107th that the Garibpur bridgehead was held by an understrength battalion of light infantry, which could be easily defeated.<ref name="Mehta" /> As such, the 107th began to formulate a counterattack, which would materialise against Indian positions on the morning of the 21st.<ref name="Gidh" />

==Battle==
[[Risaldar]] R.P. Singh of C Squadron, along with a small section of dismounted infantry, was on patrol north of the Indian positions at Garibpur just after midnight. Around 0200 hours, he radioed Captain B.S. Mehta of C Squadron of the advancing Pakistani armour and infantry.<ref name="Mehta" /> After Singh had confirmed the number of vehicles and the direction of approach, Major Daljit "Chiefy" Singh Narang, left behind the infantry of 14 Punjab and some [[M40 recoilless rifle|recoilless rifles]] in a defensive position, and ordered his squadron forward into a horseshoe formation to ambush the Pakistani column.<ref name="Mehta" />

The attack commenced in the early hours of 21 November, with the Pakistani 3rd Independent Armoured Squadron providing covering fire for the infantry attack by 6 and 21 Punjab.<ref name="Mehta" /> The attack was, however, hampered by the fact that India had had time to prepare defenses against the Pakistani infantry and had time to lay an ambush against Pakistani armour. Early in the fighting, Major Narang was killed and the squadron's second-in-command, Captain B.S. Mehta, assumed command for most of the battle. Despite fog reducing the visibility for tank crews on both sides, the Indian PT-76 crews outmaneuvered and outgunned the Pakistani [[M24 Chaffee|M24s]], with the PT-76s destroying 6, damaging 4 beyond repair and capturing 3.<ref name="Mehta" /> Delta Company and Charlie Company of 14 Punjab had set up at the flanks of the Pakistani axis of assault with HMGs and MMGs, and Alpha and Bravo Companies had set up in the center.<ref name="Gidh" /> The Pakistani infantry advance was similarly halted.

In contrast to the Pakistani 3rd (Independent) Armoured Squadron, which was completely destroyed, "C" Squadron suffered only 2 tanks damaged when Major Narang was killed by enemy tank fire and when Captain Mehta's tank was damaged by a [[recoilless rifle]]. There are no concrete numbers for infantry casualties on the Pakistani side, but Colonel Gidh estimates 300 casualties, including dead and wounded. The Indians suffered 28 killed and 42 wounded.<ref name="Gidh" />

===Battle of Boyra===
{{Further|Battle of Boyra}}
The [[Pakistani Army]] had called for help from the [[Pakistan Air Force]], which soon responded with attacks on Indian positions. At around 1500 hours, [[Canadair Sabre|Sabre]]s from the PAF's [[No. 14 Squadron (Pakistan Air Force)|No. 14 Squadron]] flew in to provide [[close air support]] and hit the Indian positions by using machine guns and [[Rocket (weapon)|rocket]] fire.

The [[Indian Air Force]], however, had prepared for such an attack and so mobilised four [[Folland Gnat]]s to intercept. Two Sabres were shot down, and another was damaged after a brief dogfight. The damaged F-86 Sabre managed to fly back home safely. Two of the pilots ejected safely but were captured by the Mukti Bahini and Indian troops and were taken to India as prisoners-of-war.

==Aftermath==
The battle came just weeks before the official start of the war and had an unexpected turn of events. Victory in that battle and others like the [[Battle of Hilli]] ensured that the north of East Pakistan was virtually in the hands of [[Mitro Bahini]], an alliance of the Indian Army and the Mukti Bahini, before war had been declared.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}

{{Bangladesh liberation}}
{{1971 Indo-Pak War}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
* https://thewire.in/history/revisiting-battle-garibpur-precursor-bangladesh-liberation-war

{{coord missing|Bangladesh}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Garibpur 1971}}
[[Category:November 1971 in Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Battles of the Bangladesh Liberation War]]
[[Category:Battles of Indo-Pakistani wars]]
[[Category:History of Dhaka Division]]
[[Category:India–Pakistan war of 1971]]
[[Category:Tank battles involving India]]
[[Category:Tank battles involving Pakistan]]

Battle of Garibpur - Revision history

Dutchhoek11 at 06:48, 19 March 2026