by Brig (Rtd) Parmod Bhanot (DefenceIndia Special)

The convulsions of Liberation of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), were felt in Shillong in early March 1971. Battalion 5th Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) was moved to the international border. With Battalion Headquarters at Shillong, company's strong posts were established, over a wide frontage. The tasks assigned were, first, to maintain the sanctity of the international Border and regulate the refugee influx, to specifically designated camps.

03 Dec 1971, the Battalion forming part of an adhoc Brigade called Echo One Brigade, supported by one battery of four field Guns was tasked to clear the Shillong Sylhet (40 Kms) axis and link up with the main force. Seemingly easy task turned out to be a Herculean one.

Two fierce raids preceded the main assaults. The raiding parties under 2/Lt VP Singh (Vee Pee) and 2/Lt MG Hegde (MMG) were directed at Roshid and Bailhakal Bridge respectively. These were followed by main assaults on Jagtlang and Digrail. Delta Company led by Major BB Satpathi (Bidhu) and 2/Lt JS Rawat (Janggu), met with stiff resistance and invested the objective. C Company led by Major C G Sambhiah (Shambu), and 2/Lt VB Zende (Vilas), took Digrail by surprise. Due to delay in reinforcements the company fell back to Bagabil, under intense fire. Rifleman Bom Bahader, displayed total disregard for personal safety. Even though he was greviously injured, he continued to lead the charge and silence the MMG, which was causing maximum casualities. He retuned to the Battalion, to retire as a JCO.

The intensity of these offensive actions had created a serious dilemma, in the minds of the enemy commanders. It was thus decided to carryout a quick re-grouping and attack Radhanagar. C Company did not accompany the Battalion as it was holding Bagabil.

On night 4/5 December 1971, A company led by Maj DB Thapa (Dee Bee) and 2/Lt MG Hegde, attacked Radhanagar, Delta Company was tasked to carryout an out flanking move.. By some miracle the early morning mist lifted. A Company was caught in the open. B Company under major SP Singh (Ess Pee) and 2/Lt DP Devpal (Dee Bee) was called in to attack from the flank. In utter disregard for personal safety, Ess Pee with a grenade in his hand, assaulted the MMG bunker and silenced it. He was grievously injured and he fell. Dee Pee, who was also following, succumbed to his injuries. A fierce fire fight ensued, till D Company, attacked the objective, from the rear. Radhanagar was finally in the Battalion's hands. But a heavy price had been paid. (2 Officers and 10 other Ranks had died and 14 other ranks were seriously injured). Against a setting sun, the Battalion bid farewell to its Brave comrades.

In the midst of these grim moments, Rifleman Ek Bahadur Gurung, was fighting a miraculous battle. He was recovered with grievous injuries in his neck. While he lay in the scorching sun, ants worked into his wounds. In the night he quenched his thirst by sucking the dew. He returned to the Battalion, after four months, still fighting fit.

After quick regrouping, an ambitious plan to further the Ops was drawn. Jaintiapur was the next objective. This was a full Battalion attack. D Coy under Bidu and Jangu established a road block at Bargan Bridge. Platoon ex B Coy under Pummy established a firm base for C Coy. After link up, Pummy was sent to launch a feign attack and B company launched their attack from the East. With Radhanagar fresh in their minds, the attack went on with utmost ferocity. The enemy capitulated after a token fight, leaving behind their wounded comrades in open trenches and went back to Bagabil trenches. C coy was not used. Once the objective was secure, re-adjustment was ordered. B coy was moved to Bagabil to relieve C Company and cover the flank of the main attack on Sarighat heights. C coy after relief carried out an out flanking move to establish a road block in depth to Sarighat heights.

As the Battalion devoid of two companies ( A Coy and D Coy), started their advance, they came under effective fire from the feature of Digrail. Immediately platoon ex B Coy led by Pummy Bhanot (Lt Pummy) was tasked to clear the resistance. Pummy was blown in this attack. As he regained consciousness, he found that a very heavy volume of fire was directed at him. In complete disregard of personal safety, he exhorted his men to press home the attack. After the objective was secured, he passed the success signal and personally administered morphine and gave directions for his initial first aid. There after it was a long and pain full journey for him. As the ambulance approached the helipad, the helicopter could be seen flying off towards Shillong. After another morphine, and a long drive, he reached Shillong by road. When he recovered, his right leg had been amputated. He was recommended for MahaVeerChakra for his gallant action. He was the only serving officer of the Battalion, who was disabled. However, he fought back the disability and went on to become the first Disabled officer of 5/5 GR (FF) to command the Battalion. He volunteered to command the Battalion in the rugged terrain of Rajouri on the Line of Control.

After the report of successful establishment of road block, by C Company, came in, the Battalion attacked Sarighat heights. B Company under Maj Pradeep Dave had staged forwarded to Digrail. They were launched from the flank, while A and D companies, under the cover of smoke and inadequate artillery cover launched a frontal attack. The enemy offered token resistance and carried out a hasty withdrawal, only to run into the block established by C Company. The atrocities inflicted on the men, now haunted the enemy of a possible backlash with the Khukri. However, the Indian Army is too professional to indulge in this.

At Sarighat, the Battalion linked up with HQ Echo Sector, responsible for operations in Sylhet sector. Intelligence reports indicated that the enemy was now in a state of rout. Adopting the concept of "Raging Torrent, the battalion which had come together for the first time, resumed its advance, with speed and utmost urgency. Advancing rapidly, with B Company acting as vanguard the Battalion moved 8 Kilometers in 3 hours, neutralizing any opposition, which they encountered. Now the Battalion approached Hemu. The defenses of Hemu rested on River Sarai.

Heavy and accurate Artillery and automatic fire was directed. The pioneer platoon mustered some county boasts, quickly. The men got down to improvising water crossing expedients and C Company was dispatched to Bhelpara for another block. Undeterred by the grime of the marsh, and the numbing cold of a December night, the Battalion crossed river. The water speed and after obstacle with speed alter quick regrouping a fierce assault was launched for the capture of Hemu. After some stubborn resistance, the enemy capitulated. The Battalion suffered four wounded men. C Company captured an enemy jeep with five occupants. The battalion was in the process of regrouping and evacuating its causalities, when HQ Echo Sector ordered it to resume its advance quickly and link up at Chicknagul.

The Battalion was tasked to capture Haripur PPL Complex, with explicit instructions that no damage was acceptable. One company was tasked to clear the main axis leading to Haripur. Company led by MajorPA Dave, captured Chandghat defences and linked up at Haripur. Companies, each led by Capt B S Garewal and Capt Richard Khare, attacked Haripur PPL defenses. After fierce resistance, the complex fell with no damage as stipulated in the Op order. One company under Major Balwan Singh established a locked road at Chiknagul.

The capture of Haripur, was a fatal dent in the enemy resistance. As the Battalion was regrouping, 2/Lt VP Singh was tasked to carryout recce of the next objective which was Khadim Nagar. On his way back, he was caught in an ambush and received grievous injuries. He succumbed, but not before passing on the vital information.

On 15 Dec the Battalion launched a multidirectional attack. Khadim Nagar Defences were taken by surprise, the enemy who by now had lost the will to fight, abandoned the objective. Alongwith the flag of 31 PUNJAB, lots of arms and ammunition were captured. Khadim Nagar cantt had capitulated meekly.
The last objectives, The Radio station and MC College, were now a few Kms away. On 16 December 1971, as the leading elements of the Battalion approached the heavily fortified position they came under intense fire. A fierce exchange ensued. However, by late evening, the defenders had received orders to surrender. After a brief "white flag" meeting, the Battalion was ordered into a defensive deployment. Simultaneously, it linked up with its sister Battalion 4/5 GR (FF), which had the distinction of being the only infantry Battalion of being heli-lifted for capture of Syhlet.

The Battalion thereafter disarmed and accepted the surrender of 31 PUNJAB and 30 Frontier Force of the Pak Army alongwith the Brigade Commander, Brigadier Iftekar Rana. The legend of the motto "Do or Die" of the Battalion had been maintained. 40 Kilometers of axis Dauki-Sylhet, had been cleared, culminating in the surrender of a Brigade, in just 12 days of continuous operations. But the price paid was heavy. 3 officers (including Pummy) were disabled, 20 other Ranks were killed and one officer alongwith 77 other ranks wounded/disabled. Lt Promod Bhanot was the only disabled officer, who later returned to command the Battalion in Rajouri on the line of Control.