Over 50 years back, the Indian Armed Forces helped a liberation front called Mukiti Bahini of East Pakistan. This front was fighting for freedom from the government, which was controlled by leaders and the West Pakistan army. This liberation issue started when Awami League, a party of East Pakistan headed by Sheikh Mujibar Rehman got the majority in the Parliament of Pakistan. At that time, Pakistan was divided into two parts: West Pakistan and East Pakistan. From the date of the creation of Pakistan, their parliament and control power for both East and West Pakistan were in the hands of leaders from West Pakistan. Leaders and the army did not agree to give control of government to a leader from East Pakistan. They got Mujibur Rehman arrested and brought him to West Pakistan prison. After this the agitation for liberation of East Pakistan began, and which all the political parties of East Pakistan backed liberation movement started by Mujibar Rehman’s party organization and his followers.
This happened in late 1970/early 1971. Afterwards this liberation front official asked Indian government to help them in this liberation war, and create new country which is not controlled by the leaders of West Pakistan, and which should be self governed by East Pakistani people. Indian government, that time lead by Indira Gandhi, agreed to give them support in their cause.
From the Indian’s perspective, we all know our government helped in creation Bangladesh (new name of East Pakistan) in 1971, but in just over five decades it is so happening that Bangladesh is in turmoil and Hindu population of Bangladesh is being killed by fundamentalist Muslims. But that is another issue.
For Indian army to enter East Pakistan from West Bengal was not an easy task, as that time East Pakistan was under full control of Pakistan Army. Before Indian Army took control of areas falling under East Pakistan, they fought a fierce battle which is not known to most of us, and it is called “BATTLE Of GARIBPUR”.
There is a memorial across the border in Bangladesh( earlier East Pakistan), but none on the Indian side to remind people of this famous battle fought exactly 100 km from Kolkata.
This was battle involving the infantry supported by tanks that is unlikely to take place again. Yet only a few would remember the Battle of Garibpur that was precursor to the 1971 Indo-Pak War, leading to liberation of East Pakistan, and creation of Bangladesh.
Mukti jodhas from East Pakistan would cross over into India for training after skirmishes with the Pakistan army. The Pakistan army would make incursion into India till troops of 14 Punjab (Nabha Akal) were entrusted to take over Garibpur.
The attack was to be a surprise but a patrol of 14 Punjab had an encounter with Pakistani troops on the night of 21st November 1971, AND THE Pakistan army that had strong presence in Jessore, was well prepared by the evening of 21st November. The Indian infantry battalion was supported by PT-76 light tanks of the 45 Cavalry.
“The Pakistani side had US-made Chaffee tanks and attacked Indian positions. The Indian light tanks were not considered a match for the far advanced Chaffees. The Pakistani infantry was also supported by heavy artillery. There was close-quarter battle through the night and the Pakistanis were forced to retreat by the morning of 22nd November. They left behind 11 destroyed Chaffee tanks and three in running condition. The Pakistanis followed up with air strikes by Sabres till IAF Gnats brought down two of them over Bongaon and forced another one to fly back”, a senior Army officer said.
There are two Chaffee tanks in Kolkata, their turrets pointing towards ground to signify that they are war trophies. According to Indian Army officers, the Battle of Garibpur may have been fought well before the actual war was declared on 3rd December 1971 but it played a very important role in affecting the morale of Pakistani troops, that time based in East Pakistan. It is believed that Pakistan lost nearly 300 men in that battle.
“ Tactically, it also forced Pakistanis to vacate Chaugacha and cleared the road to Jessore. India’s 9 Infantry Division proceeded along this road towards Jessore, which was a Pakistani stronghold”.
An Indian Officer later commented that “ Maybe we should have memorial on the Indian side of the border to commemorate this great victor”.
So on the chilly winter, fifty three years ago, The Battle of Garibpur put Pakistan on the back foot in 1971. Garibpur, a small village in East Pakistan, became the centrestage for a fierce battle that would alter the course of South Asian history.
A book titled ’The Burning Chaffees’, written by Brig Balram Singh (retd) who took part in the Battle of Garibur, as a young officer in 45 Cavalry. A movie is being made, which is based on this book. The movie is titled “PIPPA”. The M 24 Chaffee tank of the Pakistan Army which came out to be inferior to PT-76 amphibious tank of the Indian Army, which is referred to in movie as ‘Pippa’ or a tin can.
Waiting for your views on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
15th April 2025