Asal Uttar- A Saga of Indo- Pak Battles – Part 2
Recap- Histrionics revisited
On a muggy warm morning of the month of September 1965, the villagers of Asal-Uttar heard a distant rumbling, disturbing the tranquil green environs. The village of Asal Uttar lies on the upper bank of River Satluj– a settlement of the Jat Sikh families who migrated here in Patti region banished from their 400 years old Aasal-village; left behind in what was to be called Pakistan! Across the sugarcane fields, the canals and clay lanes of the small border village, Pakistan’s manic thrust into Punjab was underway as powerful American-supplied 80 Patton tanks strategized to enter India through the village and further reach the Grand Trunk road as this terrain was most suitable for them!!
The Pink stone War memorials put together as a tribute to various Battalions that fought bravely in this area
Graveyard of Tanks
The Indian army prepared by first flooding and water-logging the Sugarcane fields, laid out defense-boxes and later using a mix of Tanks, Artillery and Infantry anti-tank detachments; launched a bitter Battle! The Indian army lured the Pakistan Patton tanks into the water logged fields and after the historic aggressive Battle of Asal Uttar fought with courage and premeditated intelligence; apprehended all the tanks and the area to this day is known as ‘Graveyard of Tanks’ !!
After receiving this narrative from INTACH member Dr Baljit Kaur we had proceeded to the Mazaar of martyr Abdul Hamid who had blown up 3 Tanks in a row with his Recoilless Gun mounted on his Jeep!! We had visited the Hamid gallery too –a huge tribute to his gallantry!
The excellent ,national pride stirrer, Hamid Gallery in the Asal Uttar War Memorial complex
Scattered Memorials put Together- True Homage
Following the ‘heart-moving’ visit to the Hamid Gallery– museum we crossed over to the other side of the Mazaar to pay homage at the pink stone Individual War Memorials; 8 in number that have been moved around the Mazaar from the battlefields around for better maintenance and pay a befitting tribute to the fallen soldiers! Each has the names of the soldiers and his Battalion clearly etched upon them.
The first was the Deccan Horse that faced the Pakistan attack on September 6th1965 with ‘true grit and outstanding valour’ inflicting heavy causalities till reinforcements arrived on 9th evening!!
The brilliant presentations and display Archives cum Museum that covers the 3 Battles of the area from 1965 to 1971
The next 2 Memorials were dedicated to the martyrs of the Indo –Pak war of 1971- for the 6th Battalion The Mahar Regiment who attained martyrdom in the Battle of Mehndipur and the 1st BN The Fifth Gorkha Rifles(FF) – martyrs of The Battle of Sehjra.
The historic Willys Jeep of the braveheart Abdul Hamid
The other Memorials we came across were-
14thBn Rajput Regiment dedicated to the memory of martyrs of the Battle of Chinna Bidi Chand , the valiant ‘sons of the soil’ of the Asal Uttar Battle which we were visiting, the 2nd Battalion The Mahar Regiment in the Battle of Burha Kuhnaon 12th September 1965, 4th Battalion The Grenadiers whose soldiers attained martyrdom in the Battle of Asal Uttar in September 1965, including Abdul Hamid and finally we reached the 2nd BN The Madras Regiment Memorial dedicated to the martyrs of the 1965 Battle of Burha-Kuhna.
With grateful hearts to the’ sons of the soil that became one with the soil’ to protect us;we stood in silence around the black Memorial tablet dedicated to Known and Unknown Martyrs who made Supreme Sacrifice for the Motherland.
The Gripping Archives cum Museum
Then, we headed for the plush Archives cum Museum that unveils the historic moments of the Indian Military in a most enthralling and riveting manner that is a Chronicle of the 3 major Indo-Pak Battles from1965 to 1971 in the Khem-Karan sector. A Board announced that as the Commemoration of Diamond Jubilee of the 1965 War, the Asal Uttar Museum has been upgraded with the assistance of the INTACH –Indian National Trust for Art and Culture.
Auditorium for War Documentaries
We enjoyed looking at the unique exhibits of ammunition, weapons, war scenes and stimulating documentary and later connecting to the places marked clearly on a Map displayed there! 2 memorable photographs are those of General Manekshaw, Padma Bhushan interacting with victorious troops & the Indian troops at the captured Barkee village from Intach collection. Another highlight is the Battle of Shejra corner.
Visitor Arvind Chopra at the Asal Uttar Archives and Museum
The photographs of the successful Operations of the Indian Army during the Battle of Barki 1965 and the Battle of Sehjra1971, both were Pakistan territories, instilled a sense of pride and honour!
Photograph Spots and the Historic Jeep
Photo Spot at Lahore Barki Milestone!!
Ensuing this, we stepped out to get ourselves photographed at the Lahore 15 milestone, Barki 0 Milestone, Shejra 2 Milestone and the Police Station Barkee Lahore District gate- fun jiffies! They were the conquests of the Indian forces inside Pakistan!!
Photo -ops for Visitors at mock Pakistan post of Sehjra- 1971 War
All these exhilarating photograph-spots have been created and designated for the visitors to capture unforgettable images!
Fun Photographic moments when the visitor relives the victory !
Next we climbed up a ramp that exhibited Abdul Hamid’s replica Jeep with the Recoilless Gun and relive the emotions of the legendary brave-heart when he blew up one Tank after the other!! While in the Jeep we were overwhelmed with emotions, recalling the bravery of Abdul Hamid.
An exhibit of the replica of Abdul Hamid’s Jeep
It was almost like stepping into the Time Machine to watch his gallantry, at 0800 hours on 10th September 1965 the Pakistani attack was launched with intense artillery shelling and by 0900 hours enemy Patton tanks had penetrated forward. Comprehending the gravity of the situation Company Quarter Master Havildar CQMH Abdul Hamid moved out to with his slightly outdated Recoilless gun mounted on a Jeep acquiring an advantageous position knocking out the leading ememy tank and changing his position and continued destroying the Patton Tanks. He attained martyrdom with the enemy high explosive shell, when spotted!!
The original Jeep of CQ Abdul Hamid at an Army exhibition in Jaipur that quotes the number of Patton tanks hit as 8
While coming down the iron staircase I recalled the ‘Know Your Army’ Exhibition 2026 in Jaipur Rajasthan where the original Willys Jeep of CQMH Abdul Hamid PVC was exhibited and read that
“ he displayed extraordinary bravery during the Battle of Asal Uttar (September 8-10) by destroying 8 Pakistani Patton Tanks using this 105 MM Recoilless Gun mounted on this Willys Jeep. He made the ultimate sacrifice while engaging the ninth tank. He was awarded the Paramvir Chakra( Posthumous)This Jeep along with the RCL Gun remains displayed at the Drill Square of the Grenadiers Regimental Centre, Jabalpur.”
Subsequently, we proceeded outside to the Patton Tank displayed at the roadside with a great sense of national pride and that for the Indian army. We were soon to leave for the Asal Uttar Patton Wreckers, Since 1841 Museum.
Display of a Patton Tank at the Asal Uttar War Memorial where the writer presented a copy of her Book Timeless Trails to Dr Baljit Kaur- INTACH