A saga of the brave heartsof CRPF

in the Rann of Kutch

9 April, 1965

After Independence

• Frequent border tension (specially Kashmir).• By 1963 Punjab & Rajasthan boundary demarcated• Leaving Gujarat unmarked(specially Rann of Kutch)• Deployment of CRP on border areas.• Fragile politico-eco situation.

Rann of Kutch

Sanskrit word “irana” meaning desert, and“Kutch” a distortion of kuccha, the Sanskrit equivalent “kaksho” meaning a marshy ground.

Topography

•500 KM along Indo Pak border Land of Creek •320 miles long & 50 miles wide•Almost 8000 sq. miles area•Remain submerged by waters of Arabian sea from May to October•Remaining six months covered with a thick crust of salt and sand.•Barren, treeless and uninhabitable.•Rich in deposits of valuable minerals like gypsum, limestone, lignite, and bauxite etc. •Geologists believe that there is rich petroleum reserve

Situation leading to the conflict

• Chinese aggression of India in 1962• Chinese military aid to Pakistan • The Rann of Kutch was a disputed territory, since the time of partition.• Pakistan claim to the entire area was part of Sindh government now West Pakistan.Escalation of tension

• January 1965, the Indian border police posted in Karimsahi had found that the Pakistanis have laid a 10 mile track from surai, cutting about a mile deep into Indian Territory to Ding.• March, 1965 Pakistani troops established “standing post” among the ruins of a fort at Kanjarkot and Ding.• brigadier Azhar Khan moved the 51st infantry , 8th infantry division along with the 12th cavalry and the 19th lancer regiments were moved from Quetta to this region.• Pakistan air force planes stationed at Badin airfield.• Indian border police moved into vigokot, moved two companies of CRP(the border police consisted of 4 coys of 2 bn. CRP) to a place called sardar post.

The battle

• The sardar post was located at a flat areatactically disadvantageous.

• Pakistanis launched the “Operation Desert Hawk” against Indian border posts.• Col. Mumtaz ali were ordered to take up position on 7th April and launch the attack on Indian border post at sardar in the early hours of 8 & 9 April.• On 8th April the west Pakistani rangers sent a message to dig Rajkot range police on the Indian side proposing a meeting of local commanders on April 10, 1965.to discuss the standoff at the border, the idea was to lull the Indian side with the proposal of a peace talk.• Head constable ranjit Singh was on duty manning a machine gun, sensed some movement about 50 to 100 yards to his north, perceiving it to be enemy movement• Pakistani forces opened up with mortars and shells of 25 pounders.•The personnel in the posts took up positions and to conserve the available supply of ammunition till the last moment, they held their fire with baited breath and allowed the enemy to close in.•Subedar balbir Singh was quick enough to direct own 3” mortar fire to destroy this enemy O.P.

Think DAMSODA CCKD!!!

• At this stage twenty of the attacking column stepped closer and all the three machine guns of the post came to life and with a sharp hail of murderous fire flattened the enemy, all of them lay dead in an instant. Another wave of the enemy attacked from the rear and met the same fate of their predecessors who fell at the front. In this wave 14 lay dead and 4 were captured alive.

• HC. Bhawana Ram collected all the grenades in his post and kept throwing one after the other at the enemy attempting close in.

• The retaliation by the CRPF men was such a profound shock to the enemy that despite their numerical and armament superiority.

• The brave hearts of CRPF did not cringe but held on tenaciously defending the post till 5 p.m., fighting valiantly, by which time the Indian army troops moved in and the CRPF pulled back to vigokot.

•Although the enemy retreated, they were successful in taking 19 CRPF men captive including the post commander Maj. Sardar karnail Singh.

The aftermath

It is a unique and unparallel feat in military history of war, where a heavily outnumbered and out gunned small contingent of Paramilitary personnel beating back a regular army infantry brigade and holding them at bay for over 12 long hours.

The then Home Minister shri G.L. Nanda described the heroic deed of the border force at sardar post,

“I would like to pay tribute to the gallantry of the police force at the sardar post which for over 12hours heroically defended against such heavy odds and repulsed the attack by two battalions of the Pakistani army.”

The heroic deeds of the following CRPF officers and men recognised by nation. They were decorated with the president’s police and fire services medal for gallantry and police medal for gallantry; [i] President’s Police and Fire service medal for Gallantry.Shri D.S. Paul, Dy.s.p. OC coy.Subedar Kabeerman SubbaHC. Ranjit SinghCT. Vishwanath SinghCT. Madanlal DuttaCT. Sheo Ram[ii] Police medal for Gallantry.Subedar Balbir SinghJamadar Jai Narian SinghHC. Bhawan RamHC. Mahdeo NilgudeCT. Sucha SinghCT. Kishan SinghCT. Munni Singh.Besides these awards for conspicuous bravery a number of other personnel whose contribution Button in defending the sardar post was invaluable was given out of turn promotion and cash rewards.

“This battle will go down in the history of Indian police, nay in the history of military battle.”

A Visit by DAGOs 40th batch to SARDAR POST

कर्त�व्यपथ पर शाहि�द हुए साथिथयों� क� श्रद्धां�जली�

VALOUR DAY 2009

Recent Developments•Since 2001, the 9th April is being observed

as “Valour Day” in the organization, by active initiative of Dr. Trinath Mishra then DG, CRPF.

•Also in 2008 that piece of land was acquired by CRPF to erect a martyr’s memorial.

•Every training institution in CRPF send a contingent to Sardar Post.

•Gujarat govt. is also working hard to build infrastructure in border areas with coordination with BSF under BADP.

Importance of the SAGA in Present Scenario

Source of inspiration in face of fighting with deteriorating internal security scenario.

Service & Loyalty

Team spirit

Working efficiently with limited resources

Benchmark of dedication & Bravery

Need of sound infrastructure in Border areas