Battle of Basantar: How Indian win at Shakargarh Bulge broke Pakistan in 1971

Business Standard

13-05-2025

In December of 1971, while the conflict between Pakistan and India escalated into a full-scale war that ultimately led to the creation of Bangladesh, the Shakargarh sector in Punjab emerged as a decisive theatre of the western front. Capture of this region was of utmost importance as it could have permitted Pakistani troops to sever the link between Jammu and Kashmir and India. The Battle of Basantar, which took place from December 4 to 16, was one of the most important clashes of the war. Indian forces, confronted with heavily defended Pakistani positions and vast minefields, fought a coordinated campaign that not only captured ground but also advanced the frontline to the west. The conflict served an important purpose in the development of the course of the war.
Where is the Shakargarh Bulge and why was it strategic?
Shakargarh Bulge, a little-known but critical piece of land situated in Pakistan's Sialkot district, became the site of some of the fiercest tank battles since World War II. The conflict culminated in the Battle of Basantar, a 12-day engagement that shaped the outcome of the western front in the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war.
Why Pakistan and India prioritised control of the Shakargarh Bulge
The Shakargarh Bulge is an important area in Pakistani territory that sticks out into India, bordered by the Ravi and Chenab rivers. Its geography consists of flat terrain and proximity to key road and rail networks, making it a strategic corridor for both sides.
How India pre-empted Pakistan with a Shakargarh offensive
In the initial days of the war, the Indian Army's 1 Corps launched a pre-emptive strike into the Shakargarh Bulge on December 5, 1971. The goal was to neutralise the possibility of a Pakistani offensive and prevent a disruption of Indian supply lines in the north.
This move forced Pakistan to mobilise its elite 1st Armoured Division and parts of its 6th Armoured Division. The bulge soon became a gravity point that tied down Pakistani reserves, preventing their deployment to the eastern theatre.
Indian forces pushed forward from Samba, with the 54th Infantry Division and the 16th Independent Armoured Brigade spearheading the assault. The Pakistani side had heavily mined the area and fortified key positions in villages like Jarpal and Chakra.
Battle of Basantar: The tank-led charge that changed the war
The Battle of Basantar, named after the Basantar river (a tributary of the Ravi) that cuts across the bulge, began on December 4 and concluded by December 16, 1971. It was the initiating engagement of the Shakargarh campaign.
Indian engineers from the 9 Engineer Regiment breached minefields as deep as 1.6 km under direct enemy fire. On December 15–16, Indian forces, led by the 47 Infantry Brigade, established a bridgehead across the Basantar River, opening the way for tanks from the 17 Poona Horse regiment.
One of the most notable acts of gallantry came from 2nd Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal of 17 Poona Horse, who destroyed several Pakistani tanks before being fatally wounded. He was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra.
How India destroyed Pakistani tanks and broke enemy lines
The battle saw Indian Centurion and AMX-13 tanks engage Pakistani Patton tanks in intense duels. By the end of the conflict, India had reportedly destroyed more than 60 Pakistani tanks, decimating one infantry brigade and one armoured brigade.
Several interlinked military strategies enabled Indian success at Basantar. The use of trawl tanks and manual mine-clearing operations by engineers created pathways for Indian armour to move through heavily mined zones. Meanwhile, the 75 Medium Regiment, in direct support of the armoured and infantry brigades, provided suppressive fire on Pakistani strongholds and counterattack formations.
While river crossings and minefield breaching were executed at night to avoid Pakistani artillery and air strikes, in a rare move, Lt Col H H Bakshi ordered a daylight tank charge through partially cleared minefields. The gamble paid off, catching the Pakistani troops off guard.
Tactical choices and troop coordination ensured India's success
Additionally, diversionary attacks were launched on positions such as Lalial and Thakurdwara to draw Pakistani reinforcements away from the main axis of advance. Junior officers were empowered to take tactical calls, which led to quicker responses on the battlefield.
And with Pakistan's reserves tied down in the west, India's push toward Dhaka in the east proceeded with limited resistance. Also, the heavy Pakistani losses in men and materiel undermined morale and eroded any chance of recovery on the western front.
Consequently, India's position in post-war negotiations, including at the Shimla Conference, was strengthened by territorial and battlefield superiority.
The 75 Medium Regiment's firepower helped shape the war
The 75 Medium Regiment's artillery fire was instrumental in shaping battlefield outcomes as it provided continuous fire support to armoured units like 4 Horse and 17 Horse. Its observers operated in forward areas, calling in precision strikes on Pakistani defences and tank formations.
The regiment neutralised multiple enemy positions, including RCL gun nests and mortar sites, especially during the operations at Thakurdwara and Jarpal. During Pakistani counterattacks, concentrated artillery barrages helped blunt enemy momentum and protect Indian gains.
In recognition of its efforts, the regiment was awarded the battle honour 'Basantar River.'
India's capture of 350 sq miles gave it the upper hand
India's advance in the Shakargarh Bulge resulted in the capture of more than 350 square miles of territory. This strategic gain denied Pakistan a bargaining chip in the west, even as it suffered territorial and political losses in the east.
Pakistan's operational missteps in the west, including daylight tank charges and exposed troop movements, were later criticised by its own inquiry, the Hamoodur Rahman Commission.
Though the captured territory was returned to Pakistan as part of the 1972 Shimla Agreement, the battle remained a demonstration of Indian military coordination and preparedness.
The Shakargarh Bulge may no longer be a household term, but in December 1971, it became the terrain where the outcome of a war was decided, not only by soldiers but by strategies executed across land, river, and minefields.