Commemorative postage stamps on the Valour and Sacrifice of the Armed Forces of 1965 War 15.9.2015

The three Rupees 5.00 Stamps depict the spirit and resoluteness of purpose displayed by the three wings of Indian Armed Forces during the 1965 war. The Indian Armed Forces, despite being lightly equipped in all sectors, fought valiantly in the true spirit of the Indian Soldier, with resilience to adversity. The Pakistan Armed Forces were in for a rude shock when operations by Indian Armed Forces brought their offensive in both the Western and Eastern Sectors to a screeching halt. This was achieved through leadership and adroit application of operational art. The timely entry of the Air Force into the conflict provided additional impetus that eventually stalled Pakistan’s nefarious designs, especially in the Chhamb–Jaurian Sector.

Significant endeavours of the Indian Armed Forces during the 1965 War were the capture of Hajipir, blunting of the Pakistani offensive in Chhamb–Jaurian, Battle of Asal Uttar, the Ichhogil Canal operations and the advance onto Lahore. The tank battles of 1965 take their place in annals of military history as the most intense ones used since World War II. On 10th September 1965, the Indian Armed Forces stuck a massive blow to the armada of Pakistani tanks when the offensive of Pakistan’s 1st Armoured Division was blunted at the Battle of Asal Uttar, in the Khemkaran Sector.

Poised against the Pakistani Air Force which was equipped with a much more ‘modern’ inventory of fighter aircraft, the Indian Air Force (IAF) responded with alacrity to the call for air support, and succeeded in thwarting the Pakistani offensive. The IAF proved its mettle in each of the operations carried out, both in the Western as well as the Eastern Sector. The grit and valour displayed by our Air Warriors was yet another glorious chapter in the history of the IAF.

The Indian fleet was deployed to ensure defence of the Western and eastern Coasts and the island territories. Given the Government’s determination to limit the scope of the conflict as much as possible, the Indian Fleet flying the flag of Rear Admiral BA Samson on-board INS Mysore, remained vigilant and carried out intensive patrols and sweeps within India’s continental shelf. The Alize and Seahawk aircraft of the Indian Navy carried out sorties from 10 Sep – 23 Sep 1965 for maritime surveillance. By these actions Pakistan navy was forced to stay put in Karachi during this war. I was serving on board INS Kirpan (which was part of the Indian Fleet) during this war.