September 9th, the world witnessed a remarkable chapter in history—a day when Pakistan's bravery and determination prevailed, leading to an unforgettable victory over India.
On this day – the ninth day of the battle—Indian Army launched an offensive against Lahore from three sides in the early hours.
Pakistan’s armed forces, however, inflicted an unforgettable defeat on India across all three crucial fronts.
In the midst of this intense conflict, one notable incident that unfolded was the heroic defense of the Jassar Bridge near Narowal. Here, the Pakistani army stood their ground, inflicting heavy losses on Indian troops who were met with fierce resistance.
Tragically, Lieutenant Kaleem Mahmud (Sitara-e-Jur'at) was martyred while valiantly fighting to protect his homeland.
Simultaneously, on the western front at Sona Murg, the Indian engineer team faced devastating losses as they attempted to advance. The Pakistani forces, well-prepared and determined, successfully thwarted the Indian advance, inflicting severe casualties on their engineers.
The Pakistan Air Force played a crucial role in securing victory on September 9th. Pakistani Shaheen fighters shot down an astounding 28 Indian aircraft in aerial combat.
On the ground, Indian air bases at Pathankot and Jodhpur were completely destroyed, crippling India's air capabilities in the region.
Additionally, Kalaikunda Air Base bore the brunt of the Pakistani onslaught, with 15 aircraft destroyed on the ground.
These aerial victories further underscored the dominance of Pakistan in the skies during this historic battle.
India’s dream of occupying Lahore was not just crushed; it was utterly shattered.
Within India, the September War had far-reaching political consequences as serious differences emerged between Indian Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri and President Radhakrishnan regarding the decision to attack Pakistan.
Furthermore, on the international stage, several countries stepped forward to provide various forms of assistance to Pakistan. China, Indonesia, and Turkey announced their support, cementing Pakistan's position as a global force to be reckoned with.
During the war, Pakistan destroyed 104 Indian aircraft and lost 19. The air war ended in a stalemate.
What was the reason behind Lahore attack?
The attack on Lahore during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a significant event driven by the broader context of the conflict.
Pakistan had been covertly supporting infiltrators in Jammu and Kashmir as part of Operation Gibraltar, which triggered tensions in the region since August 1965.
On September 1, Pakistan initiated a conventional military assault in the Akhnoor sector near Jammu, aiming to capture Akhnoor and advance further.
In response to this Pakistani aggression, the Indian Army launched an offensive across the International Border in Punjab.
