The Battle of Phillora, fought from September 10 to 12, 1965, during the Indo-Pakistani War, stands as one of South Asia's largest tank engagements since World War II. Located in the Sialkot sector of Punjab, Pakistan, this battle marked a significant breakthrough for the Indian Army.
Forces Involved: India's 1st Armoured Division, primarily equipped with Centurion tanks and supported by a lorried infantry brigade, led the offensive. Pakistan countered with its 6th Armoured Division and elements of the 15th Infantry Division, relying heavily on U.S.-supplied M48 Patton tanks.
Terrain and Weather Challenges: The battlefield was characterized by dense paddy, sugarcane, and maize fields, making armored maneuvers difficult. Post-monsoon conditions led to soft soil and poor visibility. Indian forces leveraged these conditions, using crop cover for concealment and advancing in tightly coordinated formations.
Strategic Movements: India executed a deceptive strategy by feinting an attack at Sabzpur, misleading Pakistani forces to anticipate the main assault via the Chobra–Phillora axis. Instead, Indian tanks advanced across challenging terrain, achieving tactical surprise. On September 11, coordinated attacks from multiple directions led to the capture of Phillora, forcing Pakistani troops to retreat to Chawinda.
Casualties and Losses: India reported the loss of 6 Centurion tanks, while Pakistan lost approximately 66 tanks during the battle.
The victory at Phillora paved the way for subsequent operations, including the Battle of Chawinda. Despite the challenges posed by terrain, weather, and fortified defenses, the Indian Army's strategic planning and execution were instrumental in securing this decisive win
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