Dr. Afaq Ahmad Qureshi, Lahore.
I was a grade IV student of #Muslim League High school, Lahore. Our summer vacations ended in early September in 1965 and 6th September was our first day at school after holidays. It was around 9 am when we all heard a big, terrifying blast. The whole atmosphere was filled with sound of shattering window panes and the birds voicing their panic and fear. The boys screamed and then after a few minutes a terrifying silence engulfed all of us. We were staring at each other and at our teacher with wide opened eyes partly in terror of uncertainty and partly in disbelief. Outside we could hear the running feet of the other boys in the school’s compound. Our teacher told us to stay calm while she went to the school’s office which was a few rooms away. She came back in a few seconds and in a controlled voice told us to leave the school and go to our homes.
The moment I left the school gate my throat went dry and I felt my ears were getting warm. Students and their elders were together at the school gate and all of them were holding hands and talking in low voices. I couldn’t see fear on their faces. They appeared calm and consoled others. Nobody had a clue what was this horrible explosion. I lived nearby but till that age had no clear idea which way to go to reach home. Suddenly I saw uncle Jamil waving at me from a bicycle. A calm settled and I went to him with a smile. He was the youngest brother of my father. He motioned me to sit on the bicycle and I climbed and asked him if everyone at home is ok. “Of course yes”, he replied and within a few minutes we were home. Mom was waiting for me at the main entrance and she hugged me tightly and kissed me repeatedly. I looked around the street, people were standing in front of their homes with friends and neighbours and were discussing the morning blast. Nobody was sure but everyone voiced their concerns and opinions. In those days (1965) the only media in Pakistan were radio or newspapers. Like a ripple a wave passed throughout our street that the President, field marshal General Ayub Khan will address the nation in a short while.
He spoke in Urdu and in a grim but determined voice told the nation that India has attacked us but they have no idea how Pakistan will shatter all their dreams of harming our country. A wave of euphoria and an iron will passed through the entire nation. Every Pakistani believed every word uttered by the president and they were ready to teach a lesson to their enemy. The attack on Lahore was already repulsed by the brave Pakistani army and the morale ran very high.
The border between Pakistan and India, WAGHA was only 18 km away from where we lived. At the Lahore front, Indian XI Corps began its operations by advancing on three axis –15 Division (three infantry brigades and an armored regiment) to attack Lahore along Amritsar–Lahore axis (Wagah road). Indian army chief promised his government that his army will celebrate victory of Lahore in the famous Gymkhana Club on Mall road Lahore by the evening of September 6. In reality his forces couldn’t cross BRB canal and were repulsed by some extraordinary bravery by Pakistan army battalions guarding the city.
To stop the massive onslaught of Indian army, there was an infantry battalion holding Lahore district and a company of 300 men holding BRB canal but the defense they put up was more about courage and will than any military tactics. They just refused to budge. One tale I recall is of a milestone being there on the unpaved road from international border to lahore city and it said 14 miles. A lieutenant of 17th Punjab cut his finger to add “bloody” in between the words to warn advancing Indians as to what lay ahead of them and he was right. The offensive broke down at BRB Canal despite Indians being supported by heavy Armour and Artillery elements.
Being so near the border made us listen to the muffled sounds of artillery fire from both sides. As we used to sleep in the open, glow from exploding shells kept telling us how near the war was. I slept peacefully with mom and dad on my sides. What a feeling and privilege of security I had with the grace of God. Next morning (7th September) everyone was home glued to his radio. Some experts who listened to stations like VOA and BBC kept informing the others in the room the minute anything new was broadcasted. It was during those days when famous UK based BBC told the listeners that Lahore has been captured by Indian army. They probably relied on the dispatch by their Indian sources. We all laughed heartily as we were so close to the border and were witness to the actual situation. From that day on every liar was called BBC with an intent to ridicule. That morning as kids went out in the streets, we learned that a handful of people have decided to leave this city and go North to a “safer” place. We immediately labelled them “cowards” and started a small procession with loud slogans of “Khan sahib is buzdil (coward)”. After lunch there was a threatening roar from the skies above. Instead of taking shelter everyone was out trying to locate the source of noise. We could see black paint of Indian planes over Lahore. They appeared ominous and threatening. Instead of being scared people started to raise slogans of “Allah u Akbar”, (God is great), as if seeking divine intervention. Surprisingly that intervention was there in the form of fighter jets of PAF (Pakistan Air Force).
7th September belonged to Pakistan air force. One of their ace pilots, Squadron leader M. M. Alam did an unheard of job to shoot down five Indian jets within the span of 60 seconds. Lahorites saw all this drama unfolding in front of their eyes and fearless hearts.
The 1965 Air War between India and Pakistan is often termed as the ‘first real test’ of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). It had to face the Indian full-scale offensive against Pakistan on September 6, 1965, aimed at knocking out the country and to settle the Kashmir issue.
Apart from aerial combat, various other airstrikes on airfields and close support to the Pakistan army led to the successful attainment of favourable situation in air. For example, on September 6, The PAF also attacked the Pathankot airfield and wrought havoc. In its air raids on Adampur and Halwara, the PAF destroyed a large number of Hunter aircraft. However, the airstrikes led by the 6 F-86s of the PAF played merry hell with Indian formations and destroyed the Indian armour and infantry trying to cross the BRB Canal. This single event made a major contribution to the successful defence of Lahore. It was the strategic far-sightedness of Air Marshal Nur Khan, the then Air Chief, to carefully plan missions, particularly, close air support to the army. Otherwise, the Indian Generals would have had their drinks at the Lahore Gymkhana Club on the evening of September 6, as promised by them.
During the initial two days of war, September 6 and 7, the IAF suffered heavy losses and was compelled to stop air raids against Pakistani bases. The IAF also avoided engaging the PAF in the air combats. Thus, the reluctance of the IAF allowed the PAF to gain favourable air situation which established a clear ascendency over India that lasted for the duration of the war. India remained badly mauled and unable to achieve significant gains during the course of the war. According to estimates, the PAF combat-related losses amount to 12 F-86s, 1 F-104 and 3 B-57s. While India lost minimum of 66 aircraft, in which 39 were destroyed by the PAF in its air to ground strikes.
Apart from the statistics and figures, this war made us realise how severely independent and patriotic we were. People used to run after the wreckage of shot down Indian planes to collect a part or even a nut or bolt of downed Indian jet so that they can proudly display it in their houses. From 7th September onwards the blackout was imposed. We kids were happily busy in coloring the glass panes black or pasted old newspapers on them. We children bought cheap whistles and the moment it started to get dark we would proudly come again in the streets and blow our whistles at regular intervals. I can never forget that fearless feeling and the thought that no matter what, we will teach the aggressors a lesson. As the war was fought the citizens took the jobs of collecting blood for the wounded soldiers. Red cross kept saying they have enough blood and don’t have anymore storage space but people wanted to do something for their forces so they never let the blood supply dwindle down. Everyone wanted to do something for his brave army. Young lady students volunteered in the military hospitals and offered to work voluntarily.
After 17 days (on 23rd September) USA and UNO decided to end this war and Russia was asked to be the intermediary. Alexei Kosegyn was then PM of USSR. The FO of Pakistan was ZA Bhutto. President Ayub and PM of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri met in Tashkent (today the capital of Uzbekistan). On 10th January 1966 they signed an accordhttp://www.commonlii.org/in/other/treaties/INTSer/1966/2.html.
While the leaders were discussing a cease fire the Pakistani citizens voiced their concerns that Pakistan should fight to end the hegemony of India in the region once and for all. The news of a possible ceasefire made the Indian army to gain more territory specially in Lahore sector. On the nights of 20-22 September 1965 our tall boundary wall got illuminated with exploding shells’ lights after every few seconds. I was a little afraid but soon my parents assured me that our army will never allow Indians to reach Lahore. We spent those two nights mostly awake as exploding shells kept producing very loud noise. On 23 September a cease fire agreement was signed in Tashkent and suddenly there was silence which gnawed at our hearts as we couldn’t continue to teach a lesson to India.
Epilogue
Field Marshall Ayub Khan was the first army chief to sack the civilian government and impose martial law in the country. After 1965 his FM ZA Bhutto joined the masses as their leader. He demanded that secrets of Tashkent meetings be told to the public. Public anger mounted and in 1969 Ayub gave the country to General Yahya Khan who was the new ruler of Pakistan. Rather than resigning and allowing a constitutional transfer of power, Ayub Khan requested that Yahya Khan, Commander-in-Chief of the Army, utilize the military’s supra-constitutional authority to declare martial law and take power. On 25 March 1969, Yahya did so.
After the 1970 general elections, the political deadlock continued between PPP, military government, and Awami League; Khan started coordinating meetings with his strategists over the situation in East Pakistan. On 25th March 1971, he started Operation Searchlight to re-establish the federal government’s writ.
In the meantime the situation got worsened in East-Pakistan, and the gap between the two wings became too wide to be filled. Aggression was now converted into a ruthless uprising as Bengali sections of Pak Armed Forces protested and founded Bangladesh Forces along with civilians of all classes to initiate unconventional operations. When PTV on 16th December 1971 broadcasted the news of Pakistan’s surrender, the overwhelming and spontaneous public aggrieved over the defeat of Pakistan by the Indian Military and Bangladeshis, followed by Pakistan’s division into two factions, boiled into the street protests throughout the country, General Yahya Khan handed over his presidential post to Bhutto, the energetic leader of Pakistan’s popular and powerful PPP.
My Notes: Dr. Afaq Ahmad Qureshi 