Mathura’s Strike Corps I helped swing 1965 war

Agra: As the country celebrates the golden jubilee of India’s victory over Pakistan in the war of 1965, only a few know of the immense contribution of Mathura-based Strike Corps I, which not only destroyed or captured more than 150 Patton and Sherman tanks of the enemy, but also captured 200 square miles of Pakistani territory in the Sialkot sector.
Raised in Varanasi on April 1, 1965, Strike Corps I was moved to Jhansi in May and finally to Mathura in August, just before the declaration of war, under the command of Lieutenant General PO Dunn.On August 19, 1965, on the directives of the then chief of the army staff Jayanto Nath Chaudhuri, the 1st Armoured Division, 6th Mountain Division, 14th Infantry Division and 16th Infantry Division of the corps, comprising nearly 50,000 soldiers, were ordered to penetrate beyond the enemy lines and conduct offensive strike in Sialkot sector. The Pakistan forces were using Sialkot as base for operations in Chhamb sector during the war.
As per records at the Army headquarters in Delhi, “To stall the advance of Pakistan in Chhamb sector, Strike Corps I was required to be launched at the earliest in the Sialkot sector. The corps, dispersed in far-flung places all over Central India completed its concentration at a rapid pace, and all formations were deployed in their planned areas, resulting in total surprise being achieved. The corps was ready to launch the offensive on September 7, 1965 from north of the Shakargarh Bulge.”
According to former Wing Commander of Indian Air Force, Praful Bakshi, “Sialkot was a major rail, road and air communication centre. It was the mother base for supporting operations in the Chhamb sector. The aim of Strike Corps I was to threaten Sialkot to release pressure in the Chhamb sector, and also to provide depth to National Highway (NH-1) and Madhopur Headworks.”
As per public relation officer of ministry of defence, Group Captain Basant B Pande, “In the 1965 war, Strike Corps I fought three major battles at Charwa, Maharajke, Phillora and Pagowal. At Charwa, the 6th Mountain Division cleared off enemy presence between Maharajke and Charwa on September 8, an hour and thirty minutes ahead of schedule, while excellent gunnery and skillful manoeuvre at troop and squadron levels led to the capture of Phillora by the evening of September 11.”
“When the ceasefire came into effect on September 23, Strike Corps 1 was able to capture 200 sq miles of Sialkot sector,” he added.
For its act of valour, the officers and men of Strike Corps I was awarded one Param Vir Chakra, six Maha Vir Chakras and four Vir Chakras, besides a total of 14 theatre titles and nine battle honours during the 1965 operations.