Remembering Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh: Hero of 1965 War

Remembering Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh: Hero of 1965 War

Amritsar 1 Oct ( Rahul Soni )

Maj Gen Balwinder Singh , Punjab State Convener of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) ,organised a Seminar at Khalsa college Amritsar on 1 oct 2024 on Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh who was western Army commander during 1965 War and his area of responsibility included the entire western border of India, stretching from Jammu and Kashmir to Rajasthan. The defence of Punjab, including the strategically important cities of Amritsar and Tarn Taran, fell under his purview. Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh, who played a pivotal role in defending India’s territorial integrity and his strategic brilliance and unwavering leadership were instrumental in saving Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and other border areas from falling into enemy hands.
Maj Gen Mukesh Sharma , GOC , 15 Infantary divison was the Chief Guest. After the welcome address by Dr Mahal Singh , Principal khalsa college . Maj Gen JDS Bedi gave a Key note address , Maj Gen (Dr) Vijay Pande gave the detailed account of battle of Punjab border . Dr Archna Tiyagi, senior research scholar spoke about Lt Gen Harbaksh singh’s education amd initial upbringing . Brig Kuldip Singh , a renowned author spoke about general’s military career . Dr Baljit Kaur , Tarn Taran chapter convener was the overall coordinator and master of ceremony along with Varinder Sandhu and Harbilas Randhawa.

The purpose of the seminar was to make the younger generation aware of our important personalities who have played pivotal role in saving our culture and heritage. Approximately 400 students from various colleges and schools from the state and 40 dignitaries participated.Maj Gen Balwinder Singh ,INTACH State Convener said that INTACH would be organising such talks about our famous personalities so that our younger generation is aware of their achievements.

Gen Harbaksh was born on 1 Oct 1913 in Badrukhan village near Sangrur and was educated at Government College Lahore. He was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1935 as a Second Lieutenant in 5th Sikh .He served with distinction during World War II in the British Indian Army. He saw action in the Burma campaign where he displayed exceptional leadership and courage. The 1965 Indo-Pakistan War was a defining moment in the history of the Indian military history. One of the most significant engagements during the war was the Battle of Khem Karan, “The Battle of Asal Uttra” from 8 – 10 Sep 1965 , where his strategic acumen came to the fore. Pakistan had launched a major offensive towards Khem Karan, aiming to capture Amritsar and cut off the Grand Trunk Road connecting Delhi to Amritsar.

When the Pakistani 1st Armoured Division attacked on September 8, they initially made rapid progress. However, as they advanced deeper into Indian territory, they were caught in carefully laid trap. Lt Gen Harbakash Singh utilized the terrain around Khem Karan to his advantage by flooding the sugarcane fields and the marshy terrain created by the army engineers severely restricted the movement of Pakistani tanks thus channelizing the Pakistani tanks into pre-designated killing zones .Thereafter, the Indian forces, launched a fierce counter-attack from multiple directions, decimating the Pakistani armoured columns. This battle, often referred to as the “Graveyard of Patton Tanks” due to the large number of Pakistani Patton tanks destroyed and effectively halted the Pakistani offensive towards GT road to cut off Amritsar and supply /reinforcement routes to J&K.

Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh displayed exemplary leadership qualities that were crucial in maintaining India’s defensive posture and morale: .He frequently visited forward positions, assessing situations first hand and making critical decisions on the spot. His ability to anticipate enemy moves and prepare accordingly was a key factor in India’s successful defence.The successful defence of Punjab, particularly the decisive victory at Khem Karan, stands as a testament to his military genius. His legacy serves as an inspiration for future generations and a reminder of the importance of strategic thinking, adaptability, and unwavering commitment in the face of national security challenges.