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The Print
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Famagusta & its unsung heroes—story of fierce tank battle that turned the tide in 1971 India-Pakistan war
'He was a simple and stoic soldier from Nagaur district of Rajasthan; kind, soft-spoken and deeply affectionate,' Brigadier Karan Singh Rathore (Retd), an officer who served alongside Jodha, said to ThePrint. A native of Husenpura village in Rajasthan's Nagaur district, his passing marks the end of a living chapter from the Battle of Basantar during the 1971 India-Pakistan War. The battle is remembered for the bravery of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, who was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. New Delhi: Risaldar Major (Honorary Captain) Nathu Singh Jodha (Retd), the last surviving crew member of the Indian Army's legendary Centurion tank Famagusta, died Saturday at the age of 79 due to age-related medical complications. 'I had the privilege of serving alongside him in the regiment. Never once did he complain about not being adequately recognised, nor did he ever boast about his considerable achievements.' The story of the Famagusta, though, is not his alone. It was manned by a four-member crew: Second Lieutenant Khetarpal as tank commander, Sowar Nathu Singh Jodha as gunner, Sowar Nand Singh as loader and Sowar Prag Singh Rathore as driver. Cramped inside the Famagusta's 6-foot turret, the four young men, all under the age of 24 then, held their ground against repeated Pakistani armoured assaults, fighting through smoke, fire and relentless shelling in one of the defining tank battles of the 1971 war. Famagusta, a Centurion Mk 7 tank of the Poona Horse regiment, was at the centre of one of the fiercest engagements of the 1971 war, the Battle of Basantar. Weighing around 50 tonnes and equipped with a 17-pounder main gun, the Centurion was, at that time, one of the most capable tanks in the Indian Army's arsenal. Also read: Lt Col & his family among 6 missing after landslide hits army camp in north Sikkim. 3 found dead so far Holding the line at Basantar The capture of the Shakargarh region in the western sector was critical during the war, as it could have allowed Pakistan's forces to sever the vital connection between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of India. Subsequently, the Battle of Basantar, fought from 4 to 16 December, emerged as one of the most significant engagements during the war. Despite facing heavily fortified Pakistani defences and extensive minefields, the Indian troops executed a coordinated offensive that secured key territory and pushed the frontline westward. Engineers from the Indian Army's 9 Engineer Regiment breached minefields as deep as 1.6 km while under direct enemy fire. Between 15 and 16 December, troops of the 47th Infantry Brigade secured a bridgehead across the Basantar River, clearing the path for the 17th Poona Horse's Centurion tanks to advance. What followed were fierce duels between Indian Centurions and AMX-13s and Pakistani Pattons. As the enemy surged forward, 21-year-old Khetarpal, with less than 6 months of service, was ordered up to reinforce the line. Inside the Famagusta tank, Khetarpal gave the command to his crew to fight from position. Gunner Sowar Nathu Singh opened fire with pinpoint accuracy, while loader Sowar Nand Singh worked relentlessly to feed the 20-pounder gun amid thick smoke and deafening blasts. Together, they knocked out 10 enemy tanks, halting the Pakistani advance. But as the last of the turret ammunition was spent, the crew began traversing the gun to access rounds stored in the hull. At that moment, a Pakistani anti-tank missile pierced the tank's side pistol port, killing Sowar Nand Singh instantly and grievously wounding both Khetarpal and Sowar Nathu Singh. Driver Rathore, the fourth crew member, climbed out under fire and pulled the wounded out of the disabled tank. He was hit by machine-gun fire while attempting to save his comrades. Khetarpal later succumbed to his injuries and was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra, while the two other crew members survived. By the end of the battle, Indian forces had reportedly destroyed over 48 Pakistani tanks, decimating one infantry brigade and one armoured brigade. The tank, Famagusta, was later recovered and now stands preserved at the Armoured Corps Centre and School (ACC&S) in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra. The man behind the gun While Khetarpal was honoured with India's highest wartime gallantry award, the story of his crew remained largely untold. All three crew members—Jodha, Rathore and Sowar Nand Singh—were reportedly recommended for the Vir Chakra by their commanding officer. Lieutenant Colonel Hanut Singh received the Mahavir Chakra for his role in the battle. Further, sources said that Jodha and Rathore were awarded a Mention in Dispatches, meanwhile, Sowar Nand Singh, who died inside the tank, was not officially recognised. Despite his life-altering leg injuries post the battle, Jodha continued to serve with his regiment. He went on to become a Master Gunner and gunnery instructor, dedicating himself to training young tank crews. According to those who served with him, he remained deeply committed to Poona Horse. Survived by his wife and two sons, Hony Capt Nathu Singh Jodha's funeral in Husenpura saw a large turnout of residents and ex-servicemen. With the passing of Hony Capt Nathu Singh Jodha, the last living link to the Centurion tank Famagusta is gone. The tank now stands quietly in Ahmednagar, its scars still visible, a reminder of December 1971, when four young men, one officer and three sowars, fought fiercely from within its steel walls and helped change the course of the war. (Edited by Sugita Katyal) Also read: Losses are not important, outcomes are—CDS General Anil Chauhan on Operation Sindoor 'setbacks'
NDTV
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Suhana Khan's Shout Out To Rumoured Boyfriend Agastya Nanda's Ikkis Teaser
New Delhi: Agastya Nanda is currently gearing up for the release of his upcoming film, Ikkis. The movie, directed by Sriram Raghavan, features a stellar cast including Dharmendra and Jaideep Ahlawat in key roles. On Saturday, the makers released the teaser for Ikkis, which received a loud shout-out from Agastya's rumoured girlfriend Suhana Khan. The actress shared the teaser on her Instagram Stories. She dropped an angel and heart emojis in the caption. Take a look: The teaser for Ikkis opens with a letter sent to Arun Khetarpal's father during the Battle of Basantar in 1971, informing him that his son had died in action on December 16. The next scene shows black silhouettes engaged in battle, followed by brief glimpses of Arun bravely fighting the enemy on the battlefield. Watch the full teaser here: Set during the pivotal 1971 Indo-Pak war, Ikkis chronicles the bravery and sacrifice of Arun Khetarpal, India's youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra. The film is set to release on October 2, 2025. Coming back to Agastya Nanda and Suhana Khan, the two have been at the centre of dating rumours for quite some time now. Back in March, the rumoured couple was spotted together in Mumbai. They were accompanied by Agastya's mother, Shweta Bachchan. In a video that surfaced online, the trio are seen stepping out of a restaurant after dinner. While Agastya and his mother walked ahead, Suhana followed a few steps behind. For the evening, Suhana wore a chic satin dress with a soft pastel watercolour print. Agastya, on the other hand, looked dapper in a beige jacket, white T-shirt and blue jeans. Shweta Bachchan exuded elegance in a double-breasted blazer over a white top. Read the full story here. Agastya Nanda and Suhana Khan made their acting debut together in The Archies. Directed by Zoya Akhtar, the film premiered on Netflix in 2023.
News18
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Abhishek Bachchan Gives A Shoutout To Agastya Nanda's Ikkis, Says ‘‘Can't Wait'
Last Updated: Suhana Khan, Navya Nanda have also given shoutout to Agastya Nanda for his next war drama, releasing on October 2, 2025 Amitabh Bachchan's grandson Agastya Nanda is all set for his second film titled Ikkis. The film, also starring Dharmendra, will be released on October 2, 2025. Well, as the makers made the announcement, celebrities have given a huge shoutout to Agastya. Abhishek Bachchan also took to social media to express his excitement for Ikkis. The actor gave a heartfelt shoutout to the project and wished the young debutant and the entire team the very best. Sharing the teaser of the film, Abhishek wrote, 'All the best @ Can't wait" Suhana Khan has also shown support to her rumoured boyfriend and co-star Agastya Nanda's upcoming film. She took to her Instagram stories and reshared Ikkis teaser. She also dropped heart emojis along with the post. The teaser shared with the release date is emotional and powerful. It starts with a letter written during the 1971 Battle of Basantar, informing Arun Khetarpal's father that his son had died in action on December 16. The letter offers condolences for his loss. After this, we see scenes of war shown in dark silhouettes, followed by glimpses of Arun Khetarpal bravely fighting the enemies on the battlefield. Take a look here: The powerful war drama Ikkis is all set to storm the big screen on October 2, 2025. With legendary actor Dharmendra, Agastya Nanda (Amitabh Bachchan's grandson), and Jaideep Ahlawat in key roles, the film has finally confirmed its release date. The announcement dropped on Saturday evening through a compelling teaser video. Ikkis revisits the valour and sacrifice of Arun Khetarpal, India's youngest recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, and is set during the pivotal 1971 Indo-Pak war. Film critic and trade analyst Taran Adarsh took to social media to share key details about the much-awaited film. In his post, he confirmed the release date and cast lineup too. He wrote, 'DHARMENDRA – AGASTYA NANDA – JAIDEEP AHLAWAT: DINESH VIJAN ANNOUNCES 'IKKIS' RELEASE DATE… [Thursday] 2 Oct 2025 [#GandhiJayanti] is the release date of #Ikkis. Post #Badlapur, #NationalAward winning director #SriramRaghavan and #DineshVijan collaborate for #Ikkis, which stars #Dharmendra, #AgastyaNanda [grandson of #AmitabhBachchan] and #JaideepAhlawat. #Ikkis is a war-drama based on the life of Second Lieutenant #ArunKhetarpal #PVC." Ikkis is directed by Sriram Raghavan and produced by Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films. It tells the real-life story of Arun Khetarpal, the youngest soldier to be awarded the Param Vir Chakra. Speaking to PTI, Raghavan shared that the film will stay true to reality and won't dramatise Khetarpal's story in a superhero-like way. 'It's not a comic-book hero version," he said. The film skips over his early years and focuses on his time as a young soldier who gave his life for the country just after turning 21. First Published:
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Business Standard
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Battle of Basantar: How Indian win at Shakargarh Bulge broke Pakistan in 1971
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.
Time of India
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Post Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan amassed troops at Shakargarh Bulge
Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai during a press briefing on Operation Sindoor on Monday NEW DELHI: The Indian defence establishment was outraged when Pakistan violated the understanding to stop all cross-border military action from 5pm onwards on Saturday by sending another wave of drones across the entire western front later that night. Lt General Ghai had on Sunday declared that India would deliver "a fierce and punitive response" if Pakistan violated the bilateral understanding, with Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi granting "full authority" to commanders for "counteraction in the kinetic domain" to any more misadventures. As for the build-up after the Pahalgam terror massacre, Pakistan has moved several reserve army formations, tanks and Chinese-made SH-15 self-propelled 155mm howitzers closer to the LoC as well as the International Border. India, of course, had also made "mirror deployments" of its forces. Sources said the Shakargarh Bulge, which protrudes into India between the Chenab and Ravi rivers, was one of the places where a major build-up of tanks and armoured vehicles by the Pakistan army was spotted. The area's flat terrain and its proximity to Indian cities such as Amritsar, Pathankot, Batala and Gurdaspur as well as road links to Jammu makes it a high priority area for the Indian Army. It was the site of the famous 'Battle of Basantar' during the 1971 war.
