1.     Junagadh 1947

 

Junagadh was a princely state in Gujarat, the Nawab of Junagadh, Mahabhat Khanji, acceded to Pakistan on the advice of his Dewan, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto (father of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, former Prime Minister of Pakistan). The unsettled conditions led to a cessation of trade with India leading to crisis and the Nawab fled to Karachi with his family.To protect the areas that had acceded to India a brigade-sized force dispatched to Junagarh. The force was initially ordered not to violate Junagadh territory. 2 SIKH LI was eventually ordered to move into Junagadh on 16 November 1947 and it did so without encountering any resistance. 

 

 

 

2.     Hyderabad 1948

 

The Nizam of Hyderabad, Osman Ali Khan (Asif Jah VII), refused to sign the Instrument of Accession after the Partition of India. He was backed by armed militia, known as Razakars who had moral support from Pakistan. Matters escalated when the Razakars were emboldened to raid Indian Territory. On 17 September, the Indian Army entered Bidar, next day, Maj Gen JN Chaudhuri rode at the head of an armd column to Secunderabad and at 1600 hours the Hyderabad Army surrendered. On 24 November 1948 the Nizam signed the Instrument of Accession to the Indian Union. Southern Command thus successfully spearheaded the first large-scale offensive action of Independent India.

 

 

3.     Goa 1961(Operation VIJAY)

 

Even fourteen years after independence, India’s territorial form was still incomplete as Portugal refused to transfer her Indian Settlements. As intensive negotiations failed, Operation VIJAY was launched in 1961 to liberate Goa. This task also fell on Southern Command under Lt Gen JN Chaudhuri. On 18 December 1961, the advance into Goa commenced from different axis and the Town fell into Indian hands on 19 December at 2030 hours. The operations in Daman of an Infantry Battalion was equally successful. At 1100 hours on 19 December 1961, the Portuguese surrendered in Daman without a fight. Diu was overcome amidst a heavy pounding of guns. Its garrison also surrendered on 19 December 1961. All Portuguese enclaves were now secure in Indian hands.

 

 

4.     Kutch 1965

 

The Rann of Kutch is an unlikely battleground. The area, between Sind in Pakistan and the erstwhile Kutch State was fraught with dispute over the delineation of the boundary between Sind and Kutch, since 1843. In 1964, trouble started in the Kanjarkot area where Pakistani forces frequently trespassed into Indian Territory. On 9 April 1965, the Pakistanis launched a Brigade attack on Sardar Post, which was repulsed. The defence of Kutch Sector, were reorganised and Kilo Force under Maj Gen PO Dunn was assigned the operational responsibility. Pakistan’s attacks were repulsed with heavy casualties but sporadic clashes continued to occur till a ceasefire came into effect on 1 May 1965. Subsequently, through a decision by an International Tribunal on 19 February 1969, positions, as on 1 January 1965, were restored.

 

 

 

5.     Rajasthan 1965

 

At the outbreak of war on 1 September the operational responsibility for the Barmer Sector in Southern Rajasthan was assigned to Southern Command. Lt Gen Moti Sagar, the GOC-in-C, entrusted the operational task to 11 Infantry Division commanded by Maj Gen NC Rawlley.  Battles in this Sector followed a seesaw pattern, with both sides making forays and gains. On 21 September, a combined force of along with tanks attacked and occupied Pakistani positions between Dali and Khinsar. However, the captured positions could not be held for long. The war gave Southern Command a wealth of experience in desert warfare.

 

 

 

6.     Rajasthan 1971

 

(a)     Jaisalmer Sector

 

This was the sector where the known Battle of Laungewala was fought. The enemy withdrew with heavy losses and their offensive plans in this sector were blunted. The two Hunter pilots as well as the two Air Observation Post pilots were awarded the VrC. Maj Chandpuri was awarded the MVC for conspicuous gallantry, inspiring leadership and exceptional devotion to duty, in holding out against an overwhelming force. Indian forces staved off Pakistan’s attack went on the offensive and succeeded in capturing Islamgarh and Bhai Khanewala Khu along with vast quantities of enemy equipment and personnel. 

 

   

 

(b)     Barmer Sector

 

Indian offensive commenced at last light on 4 December 1971. Both, 10 PARA and 20 RAJPUT, were awarded the Battle Honour Chachro for their daring raid and attack in this sector. During the War, the Indian Army conducted large-scale operations in desert terrain for the first time. Though the war ended before Southern Command could reach the green belt in Sind, approximately 9,000 square kilometres of enemy territory was captured in the Barmer Sector.

 

 

 

 

7.     Sri Lanka 1987-89 : Operation PAWAN

 

The Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) was created under Southern Command with its HQ at Madras, with the mandate of ensuring implementation of the Accord. An infantry division was air lifted, virtually overnight, into Sri Lanka on 30 July 1987. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) adopted an intransigent stand rather reasserted their hard stance forcing the IPKF to undertake offensive operations to destroy all militant cadres and their hideouts. Operations against the LTTE i.e Operation PAWAN commenced on 11th October 1987 but their progress was slow due to fierce resistance. But our forces bought Jaffna Peninsula under control by 30 November 1987. Though Jaffna had fallen, LTTE resistance continued unabated in the Northern and Eastern regions of Sri Lanka. A prolonged low-intensity conflict fought over the next two years. The IPKF assisted in providing a secure environment for the conduct of Provincial Council, Presidential and Parliamentary elections in the insurgency affected areas under its responsibility. The final de-induction from Sri Lanka took place in January 1990.

 

 

 

8.     Maldives – 1988

 

On 3 November 1988, President Gayoom of Maldives was overthrown in a coup and had to seek refuge in an unsafe house. 500 armed terrorists gained control of the TV Station, Telephone Exchange and other installations in Male. HQ Southern Command was informed about the situation at about 0900 hours the same day. Plans were put into effect and an advance HQ set up. At 1800hours, two IL-76 aircraft took off from Agra with the paratroopers on board. Further planning continued on board the flight. After a flight of almost 4 hours, the aircraft touched down at Hulule airfield. Hulule was secured and the troops moved to Male in commandeered boats. By 4 November the President was safe and under their protection of our troops. The strategic operation was successfully executed within 24 hours, from receipt of the first telephone call from the Maldives till ensuring the security of President Gayoom. 

 

 

 

 

9.     Operation VIJAY – 1999

 

Consequent to the intrusions by Pakistan in the Kargil Sector of Kashmir in May 1999, Operation VIJAY was launched. Accordingly, HQ Southern Command and its formations were mobilized. Operational plans were finalised and forward logistic bases stocked by June 1999. The speedy deployment in the operational area denied Pakistan the ability to switch additional resources into Kashmir. 

 

 

 

10.     Operation PARAKRAM – 2002

 

After the attack by militants on the Indian Parliament on 13 December 2001, the Government ordered Operation PARAKRAM. This entailed general mobilisation of the Army from 18 December 2001. Southern Command and its formations moved rapidly with the holding and strike formations mobilising simultaneously. Formations reached their operational locations and the accompanying logistic build-up was put in place.