Sixty years ago today, Indian troops struck across the Punjab border, launching a daring offensive in the Lahore sector that caught Pakistan’s forces entirely unprepared and brought Indian soldiers to the city’s outskirts.
The attack, executed in the early hours of September 6, 1965, marked a decisive move in India’s response to Pakistan’s earlier aggression in Jammu and Kashmir. Following infiltrations in August and a conventional Pakistani assault in the Akhnoor sector on September 1, Indian commanders sought to force Pakistan to split its focus and defend Lahore.
Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh, then Western Army Commander, explained that the offensive aimed to compel Pakistan to deploy forces in Punjab, preventing reinforcement of the Akhnoor front. The operation also intended to threaten Lahore by targeting the Ichhogil Canal, a key defensive line, and to secure bargaining leverage for future talks.
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Indian troops of the 15 Infantry Division advanced down the Grand Trunk Road, overwhelming Pakistani border units at Wagah. Elements reached Batapur on Lahore’s outskirts. However, the initial momentum could not be maintained due to leadership disruptions and the removal of senior officers, allowing Pakistan to mount a counteroffensive in Khemkaran. The ensuing Battle of Asal Uttar witnessed a decisive Indian victory over Pakistani Patton tanks.
The Indian attack surprised Pakistan, which had anticipated retaliation only in Jammu and Kashmir. Reinforcements were rushed to Punjab, and the Pakistan Air Force diverted attention from Akhnoor to counter advancing Indian troops. Military historians, including former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, note that capturing Lahore was never the objective; planners considered holding the city would require disproportionate resources. Contingency plans included destruction of the Shahdara bridge over the Ravi and interdiction of the Lahore-Wazirabad highway.
The Lahore offensive remains a celebrated example of audacious Indian military strategy.
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