Battle of Garibpur

Battle of Garibpur
Part of Bangladesh Liberation War and Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

Tankers and officers of C Squadron after the battle
Date20–21 November 1971
(1 day)
Location
Garibpur, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Result Bangladeshi -Indian victory[1]
Belligerents
Bangladesh Bangladesh
India India		  Pakistan
Commanders and leaders
  • Colonel DS Jamwal (Regiment Commanding Officer 1971-73)
  • Major Daljit "Chiefy" Singh Narang †, MVC CO C Squadron, 45 Cavalry[2]
  • Captain, later Brigadier, Balram Singh Mehta,[3] 2nd In Command, C Squadron, 45 Cav[2]
  • Colonel TS Sidhu
  • Lt col (later brigadier) R K Singh, MVC CO 14 Punjab
  • Brigadier Mohammad Hayat[2]
    • Units involved

    C Squadron, 45 Cavalry[2]

    14th Battalion, Punjab Regiment[2]

    107th Infantry Brigade[2][4]

    Strength

    14 PT-76 amphibious tanks[2]

    ~900-1,200 light infantry[2]

    14 M24 Chaffee light tanks[2] 2-4 105mm Recoilless Rifles[2]

    ~2,700-3,600 light infantry[4]
    Casualties and losses

    2 tanks destroyed, according to Brig. B.S Mehta[2]

    4 tanks destroyed, according to Col. V.Y. Gidh[4]

    70 casualties (28 KIA, 42 WIA)[4]

    6 tanks destroyed

    4 tanks damaged

    3 tanks captured[2]

    300 infantry killed/wounded[4]

    The Battle of Garibpur[5][6][7][8] was fought between the Indian forces and Pakistani forces for the control of the village of Garibpur, now in Bangladesh. On 20 November 1971, Indian troops of the 14th Battalion of the Punjab Regiment with 14 supporting PT-76 tanks from the 45 Cavalry moved in to capture the areas around Garibpur in Pakistani territory.[2][4] The battle started by Pakistani troops counterattacking the next day to recapture Garibpur.[9]

    1. ^ "Remembering a great battle barely 100km from Kolkata". The Times of India. 24 November 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
    2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m B. S. Mehta (2021). The Burning Chaffees: A soldier's first-hand account of the 1971 war. Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-143-45465-6.
    3. ^ Upmanyu, Kabir (21 November 2017). "The Battle of Garibpur: Veterans Recall the Prelude to 1971 War". The Quint.
    4. ^ a b c d e f "The Unique Battle of Garibpur".
    5. ^ "India marks 50 years of battle of Garibpur before 1971 war with Pakistan". Hindustan Times. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
    6. ^ "Remembering a great battle barely 100km from Kolkata". The Times of India. 24 November 2020. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
    7. ^ "Battle of Garibpur - Bharat Rakshak - Indian Army & Land Forces". www.bharat-rakshak.com. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
    8. ^ "India marks 50 years of battle of Garibpur before 1971 war with Pakistan". Hindustan Times. 23 November 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
    9. ^ "The Battle of Garibpur | Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses". www.idsa.in. Retrieved 29 April 2024.