Published:
January 11, 2025
Amritsar, is the second-largest city in the Indian state of Punjab, after Ludhiana. Located in the Majha region, it is a major cultural, transportation and economic centre. The city is just from the India-Pakistan border, and 47 km from the Pakistani city of Lahore.
Amritsar is the economic capital of Punjab. It is a major tourist centre with nearly a hundred thousand daily visitors. It is home of the Golden Temple, one of Sikhism religion's most spiritually significant and most-visited gurudwaras. The city is also known for Amritsari food.
Due to its strategic location and historical importance, it has been a key battle area in all wars with Pakistan. In 1965 in order to ease the pressure from the Indian Forces embroiled in the massive attack in Akhnoor sector, a bold decision was taken to open the front in Punjab, an extremely sensitive location for Punjab due to the proximity of Lahore and the region being its political and economic strength. A number of battles were fought near Amritsar.
Dograi is a sizeable town on the east bank of Ichhogil Canal astride Amritsar- Lahore Grand Trunk (GT) Road. It was prepared as a formidable strong point to defend against sustained attacks. There were well sited and camouflaged pill boxes with minefields, minefield nests and contingency positions creating a false frontage and providing depth to the main defences; the enemy had selected and prepared his killing areas well.
15 Infantry Division was tasked to capture territory upto the East bank of Ichhogil Canal.54 Infantry Brigade crossed the International Border at 0400h on 6 September with 3 JAT commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Desmond Hayde in the lead. However, it came under heavy machine gun, mortar and observed artillery fire from tall buildings across the canal. By midday 3 JAT had full control over Batapore and Attok Awan, ‘across Ichhogil Canal’ on the outskirts of Lahore. The Dograi Battle will go down in history as one of the toughest ever fought.
