Gun Camera stills from Flt MA Ganapathy's Gnat as he hits Fg Offr Khalil Ahmed's F-86 Sabre over Boyra[1]

The Battle of Garibpur fought on November 20 - 21, 1971 was one of the first engagements of between Indian and Pakistani troops during the Bangladesh Liberation War prior to the intiation of hostillities on 3 December 1971. An intimately entangled part of this battle is the air battle over the Boyra Salient, the actual Battle of Boyra where the Indian Air Force successfully engaged and destroyed strike elements of the Pakistan Air Force. The battle took place prior to the start of hostilities in the western front of India (known as Indo-Pakistani War of 1971). Indian troops partly aided by Mukti Bahini (Bengali guerrillas) defeated Pakistan Army in the battle thus capturing key areas and severely denting Pakistani morale. Combatants Mukti Bahini India Aided By Soviet Union Pakistan Aided By United States Commanders • Col. ... is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Guncam. ... Image File history File links Guncam. ... The Folland Gnat was an exceptionally small, swept-wing British subsonic jet trainer and light fighter aircraft originally developed for the Royal Air Force. ... The North American F-86 Sabre (sometimes called the Sabrejet) was a transonic combat aircraft developed for the US Air Force. ... is the 324th day of the year (325th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... Combatants Mukti Bahini India Aided By Soviet Union Pakistan Aided By United States Commanders • Col. ... is the 337th day of the year (338th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. ... A HAL Ajeet fighter . ... The Indian Air Force (भारतीय वायु सेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. ... Branches of Service Pakistan Army Pakistan Air Force Pakistan Navy Pakistan Coast Guard Pakistan Paramilitary Forces Pakistan Strategic Nuclear Command Leadership Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Ehsan ul Haq Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Ahmed Chief of Naval... Combatants India Mukti Bahini Pakistan Commanders Sam Manekshaw J.S. Aurora A. A. K. Niazi # Strength 500,000+ troops 400,000+ troops Casualties 3,843 killed[1] 9,851 wounded[1] c. ... Liberation War commemoration poster Mukti Bahini (Bangla: মুক্তি বাহিনী) (Liberation Army), was a guerrilla force which fought against the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971. ... Bengal (Bengali: বঙ্গ Bôngo, বাংলা Bangla, বঙ্গদেশ Bôngodesh or বাংলাদেশ Bangladesh), is a historical and geographical region in the northeast of South Asia. ... Guerrilla warfare (also guerilla) is the unconventional warfare and combat with which small group combatants (usually civilians) use mobile tactics (ambushes, raids, etc) to combat a larger, less mobile formal army. ... Pakistan Army Flag The Pakistan Army (Urdu: پاک فوج) is the largest branch of the Pakistan military, and is mainly responsible for protection of the state borders, the security of administered territories and defending the national interests of Pakistan within the framework of its international obligations. ...

Background

After months of internal tensions in East Pakistan (current day Bangladesh) and a clampdown on Bengali nationalists, many freedom fighters had organised themselves into a guerilla army. Called the Mukti Bahini, these rebels were aided by India in their struggle. After initial success over Pakistani troops there had been some relative calm in the region and further Indian assistance was sought to turn the tide. India thus started to involve itself deeper into the conflict brewing in the east and stationed its troops near the border. East Pakistan was a former province of Pakistan which existed between 1955 and 1971. ...

The Boyra salient located inside the North West part of East Pakistan consisting of Garibpur village was at an important crossroads for both nations. Its control was thus vital as it included a highway to Jessore from India. In military terms, a salient is a battlefield feature that projects into enemy territory. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Jessore is a district in south western region of Bangladesh. ...

The battle

On November 21, the 14 Punjab Battalion - supported by a squadron of 14 PT-76 tanks from 145 Cavalry moved in to capture the areas around Garibpur inside Pakistani territory. The move was supposed to be a surprise, but following a skirmish with patrol troops of both armies the previous day, Pakistan was alerted to this impending attack. Pakistan immediately responded in numbers when its 107 Infantry Brigade - supported by 3rd Independent Armoured Squadron, equipped with M24 Chaffee light tanks was launched. Possessing numerical superiority, Pakistan troops were in position to decimate the Indian intrusion. But the Punjab Battalion, known for its long history of valor, dug in and poised themselves for a counter attack. Retaining the Infantry and the Recoilless rifles in a defensive position, the tanks were sent forward to ambush the oncoming Pakistani charge. In the next couple of hours Indian troops pounded the Pakistani attack who couldn't pinpoint the source of attacks due to poor visibility on account of fog. Undeterred, Pakistan tanks and infantry were thrown into an offensive against Indian defensive positions. But once again these were repulsed by the Indians and resulted in heavy casualties for Pakistan. By noon more than 11 tanks lay smouldering with a further 3 captured in working condition whilst losing six of the PT-76 tanks. The 107 Brigade too had been severely battered with most of its original strength depleted while Indians reported casualties of 40. is the 325th day of the year (326th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the Pakistani province. ... Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols A battalion is a military unit usually consisting of between two and six companies and typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. ... A Squadron is a small unit or formation of cavalry, aircraft (including balloons), or naval vessels. ... The PT-76 is a Soviet amphibious tank which was introduced in early 1950s and soon became the standard reconnaissance tank of the Soviet Army and the other Warsaw Pact armies. ... In military tactics, to patrol, or conduct a patrol, is to conduct reconnaissance of a designated area or route. ... Infantry of the Royal Irish Rifles during the Battle of the Somme in World War I. Infantry are soldiers who fight primarily on foot with small arms in organized military units, though they may be transported to the battlefield by horses, ships, automobiles, skis, bicycles, or other means. ... In military science a brigade is a military unit that is part of a division and includes regiments (where that level exists), or (in modern armies) is composed of several battalions (typically two to four) and directly attached supporting units. ... The Light Tank M24 was an American light tank used during World War II and in postwar conflicts including the Korean War. ... M67 recoilless rifle. ... Golden Gate Bridge in Fog Evening fog obscures Londons Tower Bridge from passers by. ...

But the final chapter of the battle was yet to be written. Pakistan Army had called for help from the Pakistan Air Force which soon responded with attacks on Indian positions. At around 3:00 p.m. three F-86 Sabres of the PAF flew in to provide close air support and hit the Indian positions using machine guns and rocket fire. The Indian Air Force however was prepared for such an attack and was thrust to neutralise the threat from the skies. Flying in their Ajeets the four pilots were soon engaged in a dog fight against their Pakistani counterparts. In the first engagement of the two air powers in six years, all the three Sabres were downed in minutes. Two of the pilots ejected safely but were captured by the Mukti Bahini and taken to India as POWs. Branches of Service Pakistan Army Pakistan Air Force Pakistan Navy Pakistan Coast Guard Pakistan Paramilitary Forces Pakistan Strategic Nuclear Command Leadership Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff General Ehsan ul Haq Chief of Army Staff General Pervez Musharraf Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Ahmed Chief of Naval... The North American F-86 Sabre (sometimes called the Sabrejet) was a transonic combat aircraft developed for the US Air Force. ... An Apache attack helicopter provides close air support to United States Army soldiers patrolling the Tigris River southeast of Baghdad, Iraq during the Iraq War. ... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ... A Soyuz rocket, at Baikonur launch pad. ... The Indian Air Force (भारतीय वायु सेना : Bharatiya Vayu Sena) is the air-arm of the Armed Forces of India and has the prime responsibility of conducting aerial warfare and securing the Indian airspace. ... The Folland Gnat was an exceptionally small, swept-wing British subsonic jet trainer and light fighter aircraft originally developed for the Royal Air Force. ... Dog fight is a common term used to describe close-range aerial combat between military aircraft. ... Geneva Convention definition A prisoner of war (POW) is a soldier, sailor, airman, or marine who is imprisoned by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. ...

Aftermath

The Battle coming just weeks before the official start of the war had an unexpected turn of events. Even the allied forces comprising Mukti Bahini and Indian Army had only dreamt of such a victory given the overwhelming odds they were up against in this battle. A single battalion had been able to destroy an entire brigade aided by airforce and artillery. This and victories in other battles nearby like Battle of Hilli ensured that the Northern sector of East Pakistan was virtually in the hands of Mitro Bahini (Allied forces) before the war was declared. The morale of the Pakistanis dipped and following the mass defections of Bengalis, it was only a matter of time before they would face ultimate defeat Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols A battalion is a military unit usually consisting of between two and six companies and typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel. ... In military science a brigade is a military unit that is part of a division and includes regiments (where that level exists), or (in modern armies) is composed of several battalions (typically two to four) and directly attached supporting units. ... Artillery with Gabion fortification Cannons on display at Fort Point Continental Artillery crew from the American Revolution Firing of an 18-pound gun, Louis-Philippe Crepin, (1772 – 1851) A forge-welded Iron Cannon in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. ... Combatants Indian Armed Forces Military of Pakistan Commanders Major General Lachhman Singh Brigadier Tajammul Hussain Malik Strength 20th Indian Mountain Division 205 Infantry Brigade, Pakistan Casualties  ?  ? The Battle of Hilli or the Battle of Bogra was a major battle fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation... Mitro Bahini (meaning Allied forces in Bangla) was a military force composed of Bangladesh Army (as part of Mukti Bahini) and the Indian Army in December 1971 during the Bangladesh Liberation War. ...

Interestingly one of the captured PAF pilots, Parvez Mehdi Qureshi later on became the Chief of Air Staff of the Pakistan Air Force.

See also

v • d • e Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
History	Operations and Battles
History •Partition of India •History of Pakistan • Indo-Pakistani Wars • War of 1947 • War of 1965 • Operation Searchlight • Bangladesh Liberation War • Mukti Bahini • Research and Analysis Wing • Mitro Bahini • Operation Jackpot. Indian Army, Summer 1971 • Operation Jackpot. Bangladesh Navy, Autumn 1971 Combatants India Mukti Bahini Pakistan Commanders Sam Manekshaw J.S. Aurora A. A. K. Niazi # Strength 500,000+ troops 400,000+ troops Casualties 3,843 killed[1] 9,851 wounded[1] c. ... This article is under construction. ... A relief map of Pakistan showing historic sites. ... Since both nations achieved independence in August 1947, there have been three major wars and one minor war between India and Pakistan. ... Combatants India Pakistan Commanders General K M Cariappa, Lt Gen S M Shrinagesh, Maj Gen K S Thimayya, Maj Gen Kalwant Singh Maj Gen Akbar Khan Casualties 1,104 killed[1](Indian army) 684 KIA(State Forces)[2] [3] 3,152 wounded [1] 1,500 killed[4] (Pakistan army) The... The 1965 war, also known as the Second Kashmir War, between India and Pakistan was the culmination of a series of skirmishes that occurred between April 1965 and September 1965. ... Combatants Bengali units of Pakistan Army and civilian volunteers Pakistan Armed Forces Commanders Prime Minister Tajuddin Ahmed (April 17 -December 16) Col(ret). ... Combatants Mukti Bahini India Aided By Soviet Union Pakistan Aided By United States Commanders • Col. ... Liberation War commemoration poster Mukti Bahini (Bangla: মুক্তি বাহিনী) (Liberation Army), was a guerrilla force which fought against the Pakistan Army during the Bangladesh War of Independence in 1971. ... Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW)[1] is Indias external intelligence agency. ... Mitro Bahini (meaning Allied forces in Bangla) was a military force composed of Bangladesh Army (as part of Mukti Bahini) and the Indian Army in December 1971 during the Bangladesh Liberation War. ... Operation Jackpot was the codename assaigned to 2, possibly 3 operations launched by the Indian Army and the Bangladesh forces during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. ... Operation Jackpot was the codename assaigned to 2, possibly 3 operations launched by the Indian Army and the Bangladesh forces during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. ...		Battles of the 1971 War: • Battle of Atgram Complex • Battle of Garibpur • Battle of Boyra • Operation Chengiz Khan • Battle of Longewala • Battle of Hilli • Meghna Heli Bridge • Tangail Airdrop • Battle of Basantar • PNS Ghazi • Operation Trident • East Pakistan Air Operations, 1971 • INS Khukri • more... Combatants India Pakistan Commanders Sam Manekshaw J.S. Aurora A. A. K. Niazi Strength 500,000+ troops[citation needed] 400,000+ troops[citation needed] Casualties 3,843 killed[1] 9,851 wounded[1] c. ... The Battle of Atgram Complex, fought on the 21 November 1971 between the 5 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army and the 31 Punjabs of the Pakistan Army, was one of the first engagements between the two opposing forces that preceded the formal initiation of hostillities of the 1971 Indo... A HAL Ajeet fighter . ... Combatants Pakistan Air Force Indian Air Force Strength •36 Aircrafts in first two waves. ... Combatants Indian Army and later Indian Air Force Pakistan Army Commanders Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri Brigadier Tariq Mir Strength 120 troops 2 Recoilless Guns 2000+ troops 65 Tanks 5 Field guns 3 Anti-aircraft guns 138 Military vehicles Casualties 2 men, 1 jeep mounted recoiless gun 200 soldiers. ... Combatants Indian Armed Forces Military of Pakistan Commanders Major General Lachhman Singh Brigadier Tajammul Hussain Malik Strength 20th Indian Mountain Division 205 Infantry Brigade, Pakistan Casualties  ?  ? The Battle of Hilli or the Battle of Bogra was a major battle fought in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 and Bangladesh Liberation... Meghna Heli Bridge was an operation mounted on 9 December 1971 by the Indian Air Force to Airlift troops of IV Corps of the Indian Army from Brahmanbaria to Raipura and Narsingdi over the River Meghna during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, bypassing the strong Pakistani defenses at Ashuganj... The Tangail airdrop was an operation mounted on 11 December 1971 by the 2nd Parachute Battalion of the Indian Army during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. ... Combatants Indian Army Pakistani Army Commanders Lt Gen K K Singh, Brig A S Vaidya, Lt Col B T Pandit Lt Gen Irshad Ahmad Khan Strength  ?  ? Casualties 10 tanks destroyed 66 tanks destroyed, 20 tanks captured The Battle of Basantar or the Battle of Barapind (December 4th - 16th, 1971) was... PNS Ghazi, the flagship submarine of Pakistan Navy until it was sunk in 1971. ... Combatants India Pakistan Strength 3 Missile boats, 2 Anti-submarine patrol vessels Casualties None Heavy Operation Trident and its follow up Operation Python were naval attacks launched on Pakistans port city of Karachi by the Indian Navy during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. ... The Crest of the Indian Air Force. ... INS Khukri was an old Type 14 ASW (Anti-submarine Warfare) frigate in the Indian Navy. ...
Political and military leaders India Indira Gandhi • Sam Manekshaw • P C Lal • K P Candeth • J S Aurora • Gopal Gurunath Bewoor • J.F.R. Jacob• Sagat Singh• M L Thapan• T N Raina• Sartaj Singh• N C Rawlley• K K Singh • Kuldip Singh Chandpuri •Kulwant Singh Pannu    Pakistan Zulfikar Ali Bhutto • Yahya Khan •A. A. K. Niazi • A. O. Mitha • Gul Hassan Khan • Rao Farman Ali • Sahabzada Yaqub Khan • Tikka Khan Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rahman • Tajuddin Ahmed • Muhammad Mansur Ali • A. H. M. Qamaruzzaman • M. A. G. Osmani • Ziaur Rahman • Khaled Mosharraf Awards India L/Nk Albert Ekka †• Fg Off N.J.S. Sekhon†• 2nd Lt Arun Khetarpal†• Maj Hoshiar Singh    Pakistan Major Muhammad Akram†• Plt Off Rashid Minhas†• Major Shabbir Sharif †• J/Swr Muhammad Hussain†• L/Nk Muhammad Mahfuz† Bangladesh Eng off Ruhul Amin†• Flt Lt Matiur Rahman†

Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (Hindi: ) (19 November 1917 - October 31, 1984) was an Indian politician who served as Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms from 1966 to 1977 and for a fourth term from 1980 until her assassination in 1984. ... Field Marshal Sam Hormusji Framji Jamshedji Manekshaw, MC, (Sam Bahadur) (born April 3, 1914) is a retired Indian Army officer. ... Air Chief Marshal Pratap Chandra Lal (1916–1982) was the Chief of Air Staff, Indian Air Force during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. ... K.P. Candeth (October 23, 1916 – May 19, 2003) was a senior Indian army officer who led operations to liberate Goa from Portugese control and served briefly as the military governor of the place. ... Lt-Gen Jagjit Singh Aurora (February 13, 1916 - May 3, 2005) was the Indian commander whose comprehensive defeat of Pakistan in 1971 led to the creation of Bangladesh. ... JFR Jacob (Jacob-Farj-Rafael Jacob) was born in 1923. ... Sagat Singh (1918 - 2001) was a General in the Indian Army who played a stellar role in many of Indias Post Independent military Operations. ... Sartaj Singh (born 26 May 1940) is a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. ... Maj Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, who along with his company held an entire Pakistani Armoured Regiment at bay at Longewala // Brigadier (retired) Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, was born as a Sikh in the Chandpur Rurki village in the state of Punjab(India). ... Lt Col Kulwant Singh Pannu was an officer of the Indian Army and a recepient of the Maha Vir Chakra. ... Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (Urdu: ذوالفقار علی بھٹو, Sindhi: ذوالفقار علي ڀُٽو) (January 5, 1928 – April 4, 1979) was a Pakistani politician who served as the President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973 and as the Prime Minister from 1973 to 1977. ... Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan (February 4, 1917 – August 10, 1980) was the President of Pakistan from 1969 to 1971, following the resignation of Ayub Khan. ... Lt. ... Major General Abu Bakr Osman Mitha (1923–December 1999) was the pioneer of the stay behind concept and founder of Pakistans Special Services Group (SSG), an independent Commando Brigade of the Pakistan Army. ... Lieutenant General Gul Hassan Khan was the Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan. ... Major General (R) Rao Farman Ali Maj Gen Rao Farman Ali Khan (1923 - January 21, 2004). ... Sahabzada Yaqub Ali Khan Sahabzada Yaqub Khan (born 1920) was the International Face of Pakistan for many years. ... Tikka Khan (Urdu: ٹکا خان) (b. ... Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Bangla: শেখ মুজিবর রহমান Shekh Mujibur Rôhman) (March 17, 1920 – August 15, 1975) was a Bengali political leader in East Pakistan and the founding leader of Bangladesh. ... Tajuddin Ahmed was the first prime minister of Bangladesh from 11 April 1971 until 13 January 1972. ... Muhammad Mansur Ali (b. ... Abul Hasnat Muhammad Qamaruzzaman was a Bangladeshi politician, a senior leader of the Awami League and a close confidante of the countrys founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. ... Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani, better known by General M.A.G. Osmani (1 September 1918-16 February 1984) was the supreme commander of Mukti Bahini and Bangladesh Armed Forces during the Bangladesh Liberation War. ... Ziaur Rahman (Bengali: Ziaur Rôhman) (January 19, 1936 — May 30, 1981) was the 6th President of Bangladesh and the founder of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. ... Khaled Mosharraf Bir Uttom, was a Bangladeshi army officer and war hero. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Albert Ekka,(born 27 December 1942-died 3 December 1971), Zari village, Ranchi district, Jharkhand State, India, was enrolled in the 14 Guards of the Indian army on 27 December 1962. ... Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon, PVC Stamp Issued by India Post in 2000 on Nirmal Jeet Singh Sekhon Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon was an officer of the Indian Air Force and the posthumous recipient of the only Param Vir Chakra awarded to an Indian Air Force Personnel. ... 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, PVC (1950-1971) 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal (14 October 1950 - 16 December 1971) born in Pune, Maharashtra joined the 17 Poona Horse of the Indian Army on 13 June 1971. ... Category: ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Muhammad Akram (Urdu: محمد اکرم ) was born: 1938 in Dingha Village, District of Gujrat, Punjab, Pakistan. ... Rashid Minhas Rashid Minhas or Rashid Minhas Shaheed (Urdu: راشد منہاس) (February 17, 1951–August 20, 1971) was a Pilot Officer in the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. ... Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed was born in Kunjah, Gujrat District, on April 28, 1943. ... Jawan Sawar Muhammad Hussain Shaheed of the Janjua tribe was born in Dhok Pir Bakhsh (now Dhok Muhammad Hussain Janjua) in Gujar Khan on June 18, 1949. ... 1. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Matiur Rahman Matiur Rahman or Shaheed M. Matiur Rahman (born February 21, 1945 in Dhaka - died August 20, 1971) was a Flight Lieutenant in the Pakistan Air Force when the Liberation War broke out. ...

Sources

• Official War History of 1971, India
• Hamoodur Rahman Commission, Pakistan
• Air Combat Information Group (ACIG)

Former Chief Justice Hamoodur Rahman,Pakistan Supreme Court. ...

External links

• Bharat Rakshak with photos