Operation Grand Slam

Operation Grand Slam
Part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965

Captured Indian AMX-13 tanks being used by Pakistani forces after the Battle of Chumb
Date1–6 September 1965[1]
Location32°52′N 74°44′E / 32.87°N 74.73°E / 32.87; 74.73
Result

Aborted

  • Rapid progress made by Pakistan initially
  • Operational failure, aborted after launch of Lahore Front[2]
Territorial
changes
Pakistan captures 190 square miles (492 square kilometers) of territory
Belligerents
 Pakistan  India
Commanders and leaders
Unknown
Strength
  • 4 infantry battalions
  • 1 tank squadrons
  • 3 artillery batteries
Casualties and losses
Unknown Unknown
Operation Grand Slam is located in Jammu and Kashmir
Operation Grand Slam
Location of Akhnoor within Jammu and Kashmir (present-day borders)

Operation Grand Slam was a key military operation of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. It refers to a plan drawn up by the Pakistan Army in May 1965, that consisted of an attack on the vital Akhnoor Bridge in Jammu and Kashmir, India. The bridge was not only the lifeline of an entire infantry division of the Indian Army, but could also be used to threaten the city of Jammu, an important logistical point for Indian forces. The operation saw initial success, but was aborted when the Indian Army opened a new front in the Pakistani province of Punjab in order to relieve pressure in Kashmir. This forced Pakistan to abandon Grand Slam and fight in Punjab, so that the operation ended in failure and stated objectives were not achieved.

  1. ^ GILLANI, M. A. (2013). "Tawi to Chak Kirpal September 1965 War". Defence Journal. 17 (2): 64 – via EBSCO.
  2. ^ Bajwa, From Kutch to Tashkent (2013), p. 159: "Despite its bold objectives and initial success, Grand Slam failed in both its military and its political objectives. Militarily, Grand Slam was to result in the capture of the vital town of Akhnur which was a clear and stated objective of the operation, the only question mark being what troops of the 12 Division would do next...Politically, too, Grand Slam failed in its primary objective; the application of military force inside ICK had failed to convince either the Indian government or the international community that it was time for India to accept arbitration or a plebiscite in Kashmir to resolve the issue once and for all.'"


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