Battle of Basantar

The Battle of Basantar, also known as the Battle of Shakargarh or Battle of Barapind (December 4–16, 1971), was one of the vital battles fought as part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in the western sector of India. The Indian troops won a hard-fought battle that secured this area in the Punjab/Jammu sector. The name Battle of Basantar actually encompasses the entire gamut of battles and skirmishes fought in the Shakargarh sector.

Battle of Basantar/Shakargarh
Part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

Indian soldiers celebrate their victory at the end of the Battle of Basantar on top of a knocked out Pakistani M47 Patton tank, December 1971.
DateDecember 6–16, 1971
(1 week and 3 days)
Location
Shakargarh salient, Punjab, Pakistan
Result Indian victory
Belligerents
 India  Pakistan
Commanders and leaders

Lt Gen K K Singh
(I Corps)
Maj Gen WAG Pinto
(54 Infantry Division)
Brig A S Vaidya MVC
(16 Armoured Brigade)
Lt Col R M Vohra
4th Hodson's Horse
Lt Col Hanut Singh
17 Poona Horse
Lt Col K N Thadani
(75 Medium Regiment)

Lt Col B T Pandit
(9 Engineer Regiment)

Lt Gen Irshad Ahmad Khan (I Corps)
Maj Gen Abdul Ali Malik (8 Infantry Division)

Wing Commander Sharbat Ali Changezi (No. 26 Squadron)
Strength
3 infantry divisions
2 armoured brigades
2 artillery brigades
2 engineer brigades
3 infantry divisions
1 armoured division
1 armoured brigade
Casualties and losses
13 tanks destroyed 48 tanks destroyed
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