Operations
1. BATTLE OF LONGEWALA
The Battle of Longewala (04-07 December 1971) was one of the first major engagements in the western sector during the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971, fought between assaulting Pakistani forces and Indian defenders at the Indian border post of Longewala, in the Thar Desert in state of Rajasthan. The battle was fought between 120 Indian soldiers accompanied by four Hunter fighter aircrafts against 2,000 – 3,000 Pakistani soldiers accompanied by 30-40 tanks. The grit, determination and valour displayed by Indian Army in defeating a numerically superior enemy remains a case study in military history of modern times.
2. CHACHRO RAID
Chachro raid is the name give to the operation undertaken by the men of 10 Para Commandos also known as “Desert Scorpions” in Pakistani territory during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war. This operation was led by Lt. Col Bhawani Singh (who also happens to be the Maharaja of Jaipur and retired as a Brigadier in the Indian Army).
Two teams, named Alpha and Charlie, were formed for the operation. Their objective was to strike Chachro and Virwah 80 km inside Pakistan territory and destroy their supply chain. However commandos ended up travelling 500 km and capturing Islamkot and Nagarparkar as well.
In this operation, Pakistani forces suffered 36 casualties and 22 soldiers were taken as prisoners. There was no Indian casualty in this daring and difficult operation. For this act, Lt Col Bhawani Singh was awarded Mahavir Chakra (MVC).
3. PARBAT ALI
Parbat Ali was the last remaining stronghold to reach the green belt Naya Chor in Pakistan during the Indo-Pak War in 1971. It was a bald hillock in a sandy Westland 65 kms inside Pakistan held by two companies of 39 Frontier Force Rifles of the enemy supported by mortars and machine guns. The defences were well coordinated with deep mine fields protecting the area.
2 MAHAR was tasked to capture Right Bump and Finger as part of the Brigade attack. The officer and men of 2 MAHAR pressed on the attack fearlessly and captured the objective inch by inch in rugged hand-to-hand combat, to declare victory on 13 Dec 1971.
The Battalion successfully repulsed fierce counter attacks by the enemy. For this gallant action, the Battalion was awarded four Vir Chakras, four Sena Medals, one Vishist Sena Medal and three Mention-in-Dispatches alongwith Battle Honour “PARBAT ALI” and theatre Honour “RAJASTHAN & SINDH- 1971”.
