Chandragupta and Ashoka were two of the greatest rulers of Bharatvarsh. Till the time they showed their valor on the battlefield and constantly launched offensive strikes inside the enemy’s territory, the glory and territory of their kingdoms were
Chandragupta and Ashoka were two of the greatest rulers of Bharatvarsh. Till the time they showed their valor on the battlefield and constantly launched offensive strikes inside the enemy’s territory, the glory and territory of their kingdoms were intact. Following the Bherighosa (War) policy, Ashoka politically united the nation. From Assam in the east to Afghanistan in the west, Kashmir in the north to Karnataka in the south, around 2275 years ago, Ashoka was able to maintain the territorial integrity of Bharatvarsh. But when he adopted the dhammaghosha (peace) policy, the kingdom degenerated and disintegrated Bharatvarsh into small kingdoms.
There are similar other instances in Bharat’s history, from Gupta to Maratha, Chola to Vijayanagara. Those who fought fearlessly were able to maintain their integrity and glory. No matter how good your state polity is, until and unless you are ready to fight hard, you will not be able to survive till the end. Your enemies will always be ready to ambush you at your lowest.
Similarly, when India was recovering from its war with China and most of its resources were exhausted, under the code-name of Operation Gibraltar, Pakistan launched an offensive strike on India. The annexation of Kashmir was Pakistan’s single, definite political aim, and they would do everything possible to attain that objective. Signifying Arabic invasion of the Hispania peninsula (Spain through the strait of Gibraltar) in the 8th century, Pakistan, thinking to invoke the same Jihadi feelings, launched Operation Gibraltar to annex Kashmir.
Strike at the heart of the enemy
When the armed infiltration in the dangerous Kashmir valley was occurring, when Pakistan was on the verge of victory in Kashmir with a three-pronged attack on Jammu, Akhnoor, and Pathankot to cut off Kashmir from the rest of India, it was the time for India to create a special counter-strike force.
Pakistan was succeeding in Kashmir. The only way to counter-attack was to launch an attack deep inside the Pakistani territory, causing destruction in the enemy camps and divert their attention from behind. This was only possible because of the Special Forces who held the speed of a Cheetah, the power of a lion, and the cleverness of a fox.
Here starts the origin of one of the bravest soldier groups of Bharat, The Special Forces. When the nation’s integrity was threatened by the Islamist forces, the nation’s true soldier, Major Megh Singh Rathore raised to the opportunity. Just a month before the 1965 war started, he was Court Martialed and demoted to the rank of Major from Lieutenant Colonel. But, when Lt General Harbaksh Singh, the Western Army Commander, asked him for the special operations and said, “Son if you succeed in this, I will put that star on your shoulder with my own hands,” Megh Singh happily accepted to volunteer for carrying out commando raids.
Without the government’s approval, the daredevils of the Special Forces, specially chosen soldiers by Major Megh Singh Rathore, were organized and named ‘MEGHDOOT FORCE’, after the name of the leader himself. Proving their name with action, the Meghdoot Special Forces became instrumental in snatching victory from the claws of Pakistan.
Meghdoot Forces carried out the three of the most daring raids in the history of war along the deadly Kashmir valley. The first raid was at an important bridge on Dwarandi-Bandi Gopalpur, seven miles behind the cease-fire line, inside the Pakistani territory. Succeeding here, Meghdoot Forces moved towards Kahuta Bridge and helped in the Poonch-Haji Pir link-up. Now was the time to attack the Chamb Sector, where Pakistanis had strengthened their position and made considerable gains.
In the second week of September 1965, Meghdoot Forces launched successive strikes in the forward areas of Kalidhar Sector, Nathal logistics base, and Thuggi post. The enemy was totally surprised by the attack and suffered severe casualties. At the Thuggi strike, Major Megh Singh was severely wounded in a hand-to-hand encounter.
It was the courage and daring of Major Megh Singh and his men that ensured that Kashmir remains with India. His offensive strike capabilities and tactical acumen of warfare in surprise attacks proved to be instrumental in winning the 1965 War.
Also Read: India’s elite special forces, NSG, deployed in Kashmir.
Lt Col Megh Singh Rathore, the pillar of Indian Special Forces
The daring capabilities of the Para Special Forces were defined by Major Megh Singh Rathore during the war itself. On August 27, 1965, in his speech to around 80 soldiers selected