AFVOA Newletter August 2020

Section 4 – War Diary CV 2 No. 02 / 2020 Page 36 of 237 1 A God Sent Opportunity – A Race to Dhaka – Dec 1971 Col A Krishnaswami VrC VSM & Bar Genre: Gallantry / War DOWN MEMORY LANE- A RECOUNT OF A BATTLE ACTION-AMBUSH ON MILESTONE 10, ON ROAD JEYDEBPUR- DACCA- NIGHT14-15 DECEMEBER 1971 On 15 Dec 2012, The Prime Minister of the Republic of Bangladesh, Madam Sheik Hasina, while inter acting with the delegates of the visiting Indian Army War Veterans, asked me, “When did you last visit Dhaka”? I gave her a witty reply. I said “Madam, I entered Dhaka on 15 Dec 1971, 41 years ago, with my soldiers and with weapons in my hand, but today, I am here with my wife holding my hand”. She smiled and was quick with her repartee and pointing to my wife said,” You know Colonel, She is certainly more potent than the weapons you carried!” JAK RIF-was raised on 1 Oct 1964. On its fourth raising day, the “Tenacious Tenth” covered itself with glory and won the MVC for its illustrious commanding officer, and three VrC’s for the brave hearts, who bore the brunt against the Chinese at CHOLA in Sikkim. Once again lucky, it was ordered to join the operations on the night of 4/5 Dec1971, for the war in East Pakistan. We were following the leading formation 85 Infantry Brigade and entered East Pak at TURA in our vehicles and reached Sherpur at 0800 hrs on8 Dec1971. We camped at a school ground, and heard shouts of JOYBANGLA reverberating. We had a three-day respite, to prepare battle action drills for the impending river crossing and attend briefings for contingency actions. The leading Brigade trounced the enemy across the River Brahmaputra, at Jamalpur and moved towards Tangail. A bridge was being constructed by Army Engineers to cross the river. The local boatmen were prepared take us across the river. Men, ammunition, weapons, were loaded in a variety of country boats, to cross. Due to the complete air superiority achieved, by the IAF, crossing was without incidents!! By the night of 12/13 December 1971, the vehicular columns were crossing the river. The overzealous amongst us started marching towards Tangail about 40 kilometers away through the war torn and ravaged Jamalpur town. Enroute, I found an American Helmet, and kept it as a memento.. It was heavy and my Sahayak Rfn Section 4 – War Diary 10