Duty called Bhatti, and he went forward with his characteristic courage and determination. 17th Punjab Battalion (under Lt Col M.I. Qureshi) was part of 103rd Brigade (under Brigadier Mohammad Asghar) which, in turn, was part of 10th Pakistan Division.
Brig. Asghar had deployed the 17th Punjab Battalion north of Burki road and 12th Punjab Battalion (under Lt. Col. Ikramullah) south of Burki road to Bedian. Also, 24th Field Artillery Regiment (under Lt. Col. Mohammad Nawaz Sial) was deployed for direct support.
The 69th Battery, in particular, was deployed ahead of the BRB canal. The 17th Punjab and 12th Punjab Battalions were deployed as light screens. The idea was to impose at least a minimum delay on the attackers, obtain information about the size, composition and movement of the enemy formations, and determine their routes of advance.
On 7th September, Indian artillery shelled Burki at 1100 hours. Brigades of the 7th Indian Division started launching its attacks on Alpha Company of the 17th Punjab. Alpha Company, under the command of Major Bhatti, repulsed all attacks. Bhatti, regardless of his personal safety, was always forward with his troops and always encouraging them to fight with grim determination.
7th Indian Division
The 7th Indian Infantry Division was composed of 48th Brigade and 65th Brigade and the 40th Medium Regiment (Artillery) and under the command of Major General HK Sibal.
The 48th Brigade was under the command of Brigadier KJ Shahane which had squadrons of Sherman V tanks and the 65th Brigade was under the command of Brigadier Ferris.
The 48th Brigade was responsible to capture Burki, but because the 48th made no headway, the 65th was added to the attack. An armored regiment was also part of the divisional mix.
The Indians launched six major attacks, using tanks and heavy divisional artillery, but in spite of all these massive attacks, Alpha Company held strong to its positions. Major Bhatti, was always with his troops, fighting shoulder to shoulder, and inspiring them by his example. Under Bhatti's superb leadership, his troops fought with iron determination and courage.
Sep 10: Massive Attack
Map from: A History of Pakistan Army Wars and Insurrections, page 90
On the night of September 10/11, the Indians launched a massive attack along the whole sector. Because of the serious situation developing on Alpha Company's right flank, Major Bhatti was ordered to pull out back to the home bank of BRB Canal. Bhatti directed his troops to retire, while he himself kept on fighting at the front with a small rearguard.
He himself left Burki with the last section of troops who were with him, fighting their way to the ferry site on the BRB Canal. It was almost too late. They found it occupied by the Indians. Bhatti rounded up his platoon of Pakistani troops, plus a trio of company armored personnel carriers that had been trapped. It was essential to clear the bank of Indians, and get the Pakistani troops to safety. Bhatti, with sten gun in hand, personally led the attack on the Indians and totally cleared the enemy. Then, quickly, he organized the rescue and evacuation of his troops and vehicles to the other bank. Against incredible odds, and regardless of his personal safety, Bhatti continued firing and covering his troops until he himself was the last one to come back to the home bank. Because of his courageous actions and outstanding leadership, he successfully saved a platoon and military vehicles.
After reaching the home bank, Major Bhatti organized his Alpha Company and launched counterattacks on the Indians. The Pakistani Artillery observer found it quite hard to function from this bank. So Bhatti took the responsibility of directing the artillery himself, and because of his accurate direction of artillery fire, many enemy attacks were broken and repulsed. The Indian suffered heavy losses in men, tanks and artillery due to the effective Pakistani artillery bombardment.
Throughout the battle, Bhatti stood undaunted by constant fire from enemy shells and bullets.
More Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Battle of Burki: Sep 7 1965
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© Copyright 2002 by Shahram Khan.
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