Battle of Thorgo

Battle of Thorgo
Part of Kashmir Conflict and the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948

Map of localities around Skardu region
Date16–18 March 1948[1]
Location
Thorgo near Skardu, Pakistan
35°18′04″N 75°44′40″E / 35.3010°N 75.74434°E / 35.3010; 75.74434
Result

Ambush successful[2]

  • Relief column defeated[3]
  • Remaining forces retreat[2]
Belligerents
Pakistan Dominion of Pakistan

India Dominion of India

Commanders and leaders
Maj.Ehsan Ali
Lieu.Babar
Capt.Nek Alam		 Faqir Singh (WIA)[4]
India Col.Cootes
Units involved

Gilgit Scouts

  • Ibex Force
  • Local Volunteers

6 J&K Infantry

  • Biscuit Column
Strength
~3 Platoons,[5] Approximately
(100-300)		 ~1 company
(350 men)[5]
Accompanied by:
~600 Jawans,400 Porters,200 horses[5]
Casualties and losses
Unknown Pakistani Sources:
150 killed, 75000 rounds of 303 ammo, (2-3) Mortar, rifles, Sten-guns, MMG's[6]
Indian Sources:
26 killed, 7 missing presumed killed, 18 wounded, 27 rifles, 5 Sten guns, 2 VB Machine guns, 64000 rounds of rifle ammunition, 84 Hand grenades, 51 HE bombs of 2-mch mortar, 204 HE bombs of 3-mch mortar.[7]

Battle of Thorgo[8] also known as Thorgo Incident[b] or Nurbachung ambush,[9] Thorgo also spelled as Thurgo[10] or Thergo,[11] took place during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948 in the Gilgit-Baltistan sector, between 16 and 18 March 1948, Involving Gilgit scouts which were a paramilitary force within the Gilgit-Baltistan region in northern Pakistan, and the Jammu and Kashmir state forces.

The Gilgit Scouts, informed of a relief column dispatched by Indian Headquarters at Srinagar to reinforce the besieged Skardu garrison,[12] set up an ambush at Thorgo Pari[c] between Gol and Skardu.[5] When the relief column arrived, the Scouts launched their attack, hurling large rocks and causing panic, resulting in heavy casualties, including the injury of Brigadier Faqir Singh.[13] The remnants of the defeated relief column retreated to Kargil under Major Cootes, while the wounded Brigadier Faqir Singh was sent to Srinagar Headquarters.[14] On 18 February, Colonel Sher Jung Thapadispatched two weakened platoons to receive the relief column after being informed by Srinagar Headquarters of its expected arrival. However, after villagers revealed the column's defeat, the Skardu detachment returned to the garrison. During the return, they were ambushed by the Scouts but managed to reach safety without casualties.[15]

Following the defeat of the relief column near Gol, the Gilgit Scouts intensified their efforts against the Skardu garrison.[16] Major Ehsan was informed that additional reinforcements, codenamed "Z Brigade," were being assembled at Kargil under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Kripal Singh. In response, Major Ehsan split his forces, sending a contingent to Parkutta to intercept the new reinforcements.[17]


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  1. ^ Prasad (1987), pp. 288–289 :Dani (1989), pp. 386–387
  2. ^ a b Dani (1989), p. 387
  3. ^ Prasad (1987), p. 289
  4. ^ Palit (1972), p. 233
  5. ^ a b c d Dani (1989), p. 386
  6. ^ Saraf (2015), p. 280
  7. ^ Prasad (1987), p. 288
  8. ^ Jaffri (2019), p. 30
  9. ^ Suharwardy, Tragedy in Kashmir (1983), p. 155
  10. ^ Dani (1989), p. 369
  11. ^ Singh (2010), p. 253
  12. ^ Prasad (1987), pp. 287–288
  13. ^ Prasad (1987), p. 288 : Dani (1989), pp. 387
  14. ^ Prasad (1987), p. 288 : Singh (2010), p. 253
  15. ^ Prasad (1987), p. 289 : Singh (2010), p. 253
  16. ^ Singh (2010), p. 253 : Dani (1989), pp. 387
  17. ^ Dani (1989), pp. 387