During the 1971war the defence of the Punjab sector was ntrusted to the corps commanded by Lt Gen NC Rawlley. It's area of responsibility extended approximately 650 km along the international border. The corps had assigned different defended sectors to it's formations and the 15 Indfantry Division under AJ Gen BM Be hattacharjea was assigned the responsibility of Amritsar sector, including the prominent towns of Amitd, DERA BABA NANAK and A BM also. The 86 Infa me try Brigade of the Divisio MN he LL d in For era Baba M as nak area. Against the Indian c ok Ros Pakistan has deployed 4 crops commanded by LL t Gn Bahadur sher. It's 19 infantry Division under Maj agen SAZ Naqvi was arrayed opposist 15 Indian infantry Division. The small town of Derek Naha NANAK formed a part of Amritsar sector. The re re were two strategically important enclaves in it's cvicinity the Indian enclave to the nort of the Ravu river called kasowak and the pk enclave south poo f the Ravu river caked jassar. The latter included the Ravi rail road bridge which connected Indian Punjab with the potential to outflank Indian defences at Amritsar and pathankot. In the DERA NANAK area the main Pakistani thrust was likely to come across the Ravi as these was the danger of the enemy breaking out with armour particularly through thebared between Rania and DERA BABA NANAK three armoured regiments were located north of amirtsar. An artillery brigade less two regiments wea also moved north to provide artillery support. As stated earlier, the bridge over the Ravi near DERA BABA NANAK lay within Pakistan territory and that a Pakistani enclave lay to the south of that bridge. The town was a gateway to major towns of Gurdaspir batala bras and Amritsar and it's occupation by Pakistan could easily unbalnce the Indian defences. After the pre emptive strike by Pakistan on 3 December, India decided to eliminate the Pak enclave there. As the area were marshy and covered by thick growth of elephant grass kikar and shisham trees, the strength and disposition of Pakistani forces could not be assessed accurately. However, it was estimated that there were 3 Ranger posted in addition to a network of defences occupied by the units of regular army. DERA BABA NANAK akal the layout of the important features was as follows.
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