Major tank battle in the Indo-Pakistani War

A major tank battle took place at Chawinda between 14 and 19 September 1965, with the third and largest attack taking place on the morning of 19 September. This battle is considered one of the largest tank battles since World War II.

The attack involved India's 1st Armoured Division, 8th Mountain Division and 26th Infantry Division, using about 300 tanks and over 2,000 infantry troops to capture Chawinda.

Pakistani forces, consisting of artillery, tank units and infantry, successfully repelled the attack. According to reports, Pakistani artillery inflicted heavy damage on the advancing Indian formations.

According to reports, the Indian forces suffered significant losses. Estimates put the number of dead at around 800 and over 1,000 prisoners. The Indian 1st Armoured Division is said to have lost 180 tanks in the battle.

After the unsuccessful attack, Indian forces reportedly retreated towards the border. This battle was a significant moment in the 1965 conflict and demonstrated the intensity of armoured warfare during that period.

Military analysts point out that the Battle of Chawinda demonstrates the effectiveness of combined arms tactics in modern warfare, particularly in tank conflicts.