8 Punjab in 1965 war

2. The battalion was deployed at the president house as
guard battalion when 1965 war started.
It was deployed in the war in parts as maps below
illustrate:--

6. C Company of 8 Punjab commanded by major Anis was
the only company of this much pampered and protected
battalion which saw action in 1965 war and was much
blamed for the great disaster that befell 16 Punjab at
Dograi .

8. Firstly the greatest share for the great debacle at Dograi
rests with Pakistan Armys director military operations in
the army headquarters , who sanctioned the
operationally and tactically criminal practice of breaking
the integrity of infantry battalions. This tactically
criminal practice was also carried on by major general
Sarfaraz commanding 10 Division.
C Company of 8 Punjab commanded by major Anis
withdrew at 0730 hours , 22nd
September from the
crucial depth position that he was holding in the depth

9. of 16 Punjab .1
8 Punjab war history as quoted by
Mahmud later claimed that they were ordered by 16
Punjab at 0730 hours to start withdrawing . LTG
Mahmud in his book described this claim in 8 Punjab
war history as “a little doubtful”.2
1
Page-194- HISTORY OF INDO PAK WAR-1965-Op cit.
2
Page-194- HISTORY OF INDO PAK WAR-1965-

11. By 0815 hours major Anis of C Company 8 Punjab had
crossed the BRB 3
, exposing the soft and vulnerable
rear of 16 Punjab to Indian attack , thus effectively
sealing the fate of 16 Punjab .
Mahmud in his book described cowardly behavior of C
Company 8 Punjab as “rot which had set in”.4
8 Punjab suffered 23 5
fatal casualties in 1965 war most
of which were suffered by its C Company which left its
positions on their own and doomed the fate of 16
Punjab.
The official history of Punjab Regiment published in
2017 inflated casualties of 8 Punjab to 26 killed.6
These included Captain Mazhar Hussain Shah who
bravely fought on the far bank of BRBL on 22nd
September 1965.This officer was ham handedly
ignored in grant of gallantry awards.
3
Page-194- HISTORY OF INDO PAK WAR-1965- Mahmud
quoting 22 Brigade war account.
4
Page-194- HISTORY OF INDO PAK WAR-1965-Ibid.
5
Page-509- VETERAN CAMPAIGNERS-A HISTORY OF THE
PUNJAB REGIMENT-1759-1981-Op cit.
6
Page-350- THE STORY OF PUNJAB REGIMENT-Op cit

12. Captain Mazhar Hussain Shah was killed In action on
22nd
September 1965 but as stated above , his bravery
and great sacrifice remained unacknowledged and
unrewarded in shape of a gallantry award.
8 Punjab’s three fourth strength hardly saw any action
in 1965 war , so it would be incorrect to pass any
humble judgement on the battalion.
The battalion much pampered as presidential guard
battalion fell victim to Gul Hassan Khans tactically
criminal style of breaking infantry battalions integrity .
C Company 8 Punjab led by Major Anis performed
pathetically (disgracefully) and can be squarely blamed
for the 16 Punjab debacle at Dograi.
The battalion had zero impact on 1965 war , except
that its C Company badly let down 16 Punjab at Dograi.

13. 8 Punjab was not tested as far as three companies
which were not really sent into action were concerned
.
Its C Company led by Major Anis however pathetically .