India has a lond bvorder with Pakistan in Rajasthan spreading over 1070 km. The land on both sides of the border is a desert marked by sand dunes shaped in long ridgrs. The movement of vehicles and the logistic support is best maintained by the camels. Gadra village, situated on the indo pak border is obout 75 km from barmer. As eight km sand track linked indian gadra Road railway station to Pakistan gadra city khokhrapar is the first Pakistani station across the border while Munabao is the last on the Indian side. both are of straegic significance.
During Indo Pak War of 1971 the conduct of operations in the sind Rajasthan Sector as entrusted to soutern command. the sector was divided in Bikaner jaisalmer barmer and kutch sub sector for the purpose of operations. Lt Gen GG Bewoor GOC in C Southern Command had assigned the Barmer area to 11 Infantey Division It deployed 31 Infantry Brigade Group 15 kumaon 18 Madras 13 field Regiment and 3 Independent Armoured Squadron in Barmer sub sector to deny any intrusion into barmer and also to undertake operations to capture varea khokhropar and gadra city the 15 Kumaon planned the attack on gadra city on the night of 4/5 Decemder in complete secrecy in three phases;
Phase 1. Capture of Whale Back area by 2100 her on 04 Dec.
Phase 2. Capture of Dune area by 0200 hrs on 05 Dec.
Phase 3. Capture of High Ground and Ridge area by 0800 her on 05 Dec.
As per the plan phase one the operation was launched at specified time. The Battalion did not encounter munch resistance and whale Back area in Pakistan was occupied.
It the Second Phase Pakistanis fought back the indian attack with small area and medium machine guns MMG. But the relentess charge with war cry kali mata ki jai by kumaonis unnervedyhe enemy.
Vanshi
Verified Author Expert@DigitalDiaryWefru