Battle of Dograi

The Battle of Dograi was one of the major infantry battles fought on the Lahore front during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1965. Dograi was a strategically important locality on the eastern side of the Ichhogil, also known as the BRB, Canal, approximately 13 miles from Lahore. The Indian offensive in the Lahore sector was undertaken by formations of the Indian Army's 15 Infantry Division, including 54 Infantry Brigade. On 6 September 1965, 3 Jat, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Desmond E. Hayde, advanced across the international boundary with supporting elements and moved towards the Ichhogil Canal. The battalion fought through Pakistani positions and captured Dograi and adjoining areas. The Indian advance brought the battalion close to Lahore and created an opportunity to establish a bridgehead across the canal. However, the initial success could not be consolidated. Pakistani air and ground attacks, difficulties in communications and the absence of adequate follow-up support contributed to the Indian withdrawal from Dograi later that day. The withdrawal left Dograi in Pakistani hands and the area was subsequently strengthened with additional defensive positions. During the following days, Indian forces continued operations on the Lahore front and prepared for another assault. 54 Infantry Brigade, under Brigadier M. S. Rikh and subsequently Brigadier Niranjan Singh, planned a renewed attack against the Pakistani defences. Intelligence-gathering patrols and preparations were conducted before the final assault. The decisive phase began on the night of 21–22 September. The operation was planned in two phases. 13 Punjab was tasked with attacking the Mile 13 area, while 3 Jat was assigned the main assault on Dograi. Despite heavy Pakistani artillery and small-arms fire, Indian troops advanced towards heavily fortified positions containing bunkers, pillboxes, minefields, wire obstacles and infantry weapons. 3 Jat, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Desmond E. Hayde, attacked Dograi during the early hours of 22 September. The battalion's four rifle companies fought through the Pakistani defensive positions in close combat. Indian troops encountered determined resistance, but continued advancing through the built-up area and along the canal. The fighting involved numerous acts of individual and collective gallantry. Captain Kapil Singh Thapa led his men through a minefield and assaulted an enemy position on the north-western edge of Dograi. Other officers and soldiers fought through fortified positions under intense fire. Supporting armour and artillery also contributed to the operation. By approximately 0615 hours on 22 September, the battle for Dograi had been decided in India's favour. Pakistani counter-attacks were subsequently launched against the captured positions but were repulsed. Indian troops continued to hold Dograi until the ceasefire. The battle resulted in heavy casualties among the attacking Indian infantry. In the final battle for Dograi, 3 Jat suffered 58 killed and 157 wounded according to historical research based on Indian military records. The battalion nevertheless succeeded in capturing and holding the objective against determined Pakistani resistance. The Battle of Dograi demonstrated the importance of infantry leadership, aggressive battlefield action, determination and close coordination between infantry, armour and supporting arms. Lieutenant Colonel Desmond E. Hayde was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his leadership and gallantry during the operations. The ceasefire of 23 September 1965 brought the major fighting of the Indo-Pakistan War to an end. Dograi remained one of the most significant Indian battlefield successes of the Lahore sector of the 1965 war.