Battle of Ichogil Bund
Skirmish of the Indo-Pakistani war of 1965 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Battle of Ichogil Bund also known as the Battle of BRB Canal was a skirmish fought from 22 September to 23 September 1965[4][7] as part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965[8] by the 9th Battalion Madras Regiment,[4] under the command of Lieutenant Colonel B.K. Satyan.[3][5]
Battle of Ichogil Bund | |||||||
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Part of the Lahore Front | |||||||
Pakistani Soldier engaging with Indian Army on BRB Canal | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
India | Pakistan | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
9th Battalion, Madras Regiment | Unknown | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
800-900 (1 battalion) |
150-250 (2 companies) | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
Indian claims: 27[3]ā49 dead[4] 65 wounded[4] |
Indian claims: 48 dead 11 captured and 80 jumped into the canal and washed away.[5][6] |
The battle was notable for being fought after the cease-fire had been signed on 22 September. Fighting began around midnight and lasted for about two and a half hours. Accounts differ: between 27 and 49 Indian soldiers died.[4][7][3] Pakistani casualties included 48 dead, 11 captured and 80 jumped into the canal and were washed away (presumably dead).[4]
The Ichogil Canal was constructed by the Pakistanis in the 1950s partly as a defensive obstacle to prevent an invasion of Lahore. At 45 m (148 ft) wide and 5 m (16 ft) deep, it presents a serious obstacle for military forces.[4] Much of the battle was fought from across the canal, with tanks providing fire support to a ground team which had crossed the canal.[9] India declared on 16 September that its soldiers had crossed the BRB Canal and were just six miles from Lahore. The Indian attempts to advance on the Harike-Burki road, according to Pakistan's spokesman, had been thwarted. India attempted thirteen major offensives on this front, all of which Pakistan repelled successfully.[10]