THE 10 SEPTEMBER 1965 EPISODE

(The jeep used by Havildar Abdul Hamid of 4 GRENADIERS to destroy three enemy patton tanks (Courtesy - Photo Division of Ministry of Defence )

This article is not to discuss the battle of 1965 (Abdul Hamid fell here ), nor to discuss the orbat, wpns/eqpt, cdrs, trn and failings of those 3/4 crucial days when Pak 1 Armd Div was mauled by a combination of trn, good opposition by Indian armr and inf, and ofcourse concentrated and accurate arty fire.
And some good luck!!
The aim being to research how Brig A R Shammi, the Pak Arty Bde Cdr died here and what happened to Maj Gen Nasir Ahmed, GOC, 1 Armd Div.

Depending on who you want to believe (a) Shammi died as a direct result of Indian arty fire (b) He was killed by an ambush laid by 4 Grenadiers (c) Nasir Ahmed too was 'seriously' wounded in the same incident (d) Nasir Ahmed was killed in the ambush (e) Nasir Ahmed was no where near the scene

So what had really happened ??

Maj Gen.Nasir Ahmed Khan, GOC, 1 Armoured Division, monitoring the rather slow and unsuccessful progress of his Division (time line 08, 09,10 Sept 1965) from the air in a helicopter, spoke directly to the 4th Armoured Brigade Commander.

I do not vouch for the authenticity of this radio intercept in its entirety, but apparently the move of the GOC was known to the Indians.The conversation was intercepted and was something like this --

Cdr: ‘It’s not possible for us to advance any further due to stiff resistance. Heavy enemy shelling has completely pinned us down.’

GOC: ‘It is most important that the advance is continued. Therefore, in the name of Islam, Pakistan and Hillale Jurat, I command you get up and go forward.’

Cdr: ‘I will do my best but as things are I do not know how the hell I am going to do that. This bloody enemy artillery is knocking the hell out of us and I am afraid at the moment that I can’t do any better then this.’

GOC: ‘Move forward to your objectives forthwith.’

Cdr: ‘I cannot move; Indians are ahead of me.’

GOC: ‘Come and see me immediately.’

Cdr: ‘Where do I come? I don’t know.’

GOC: ‘Move straight on and turn right.’

Cdr: ‘Do you know where I am? If I turn left the Indians get me, if I turn right the artillery gets me. Where do I come and how?’

GOC: ‘Turn right till you hit the road, follow it and you will find me at mile post 36.’

What we know next is that the GOC (Nasir Ahmed) accompanied by his Arty Bde Cdr (A R Shammi), then proceeded in a jeep to the front line where an engagement was already taking place.

NOTE: No corrections have been made, mis-spelt spellings/names are reproduced as in the original article. Given below are 14 stories relating to that fateful day. Take your pick.

Story-1
In the Line of Duty: A Soldier Remembers
ISBN 193550178X, 9781935501787

Lt Gen Harbakhsh Singh

Story-2

TNN | Updated: Sep 4, 2015, 8:51 IST

TOI(https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Our-valour-outclassed-Paks-modern-artillery/articleshow/48797493.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst%252529)

''On this day at 1300 hours, GOC Pak 1 Armoured Div, Maj Gen N Khan along with Brig A.R Shamim, C arty drove up in jeeps under the cover of tanks and Rcl guns He wanted to see as to what was stopping the advance of his of his mighty formation. When they entered the defences they they were fired upon from close range and killed. The Pakistanis not only lost their GOC but also 97 tanks, out of which 32 were in working condition. After September 10, the Pakistanis stopped their advance and went into defence''.

Story-3

War Despatches: Indo–Pak Conflict 1965

ISBN 1935501593, 9781935501596

Lt Gen Harbakhsh Singh

Story-4

A Gunner Remembers : With 1st Field Regiment SP (Meiktila) in Punjab - Maj Gen Pushpendra Singh (Retd) Published: November 2015

(http://www.indiastrategic.in/topstories4237_A_Gunner_Remembers.htm)

''Displaying wonderful shooting skills and a cool head under enemy fire, the rounds squarely struck the head of the target and some of the jeeps were struck while others fled away. Capt Mittal then directed the Sherman OP tank to drive to the kill area. Even as 8 Cavalry recovered the star-plates of the General’s jeep; the OP Party found that a Pakistani Maj-Gen and a Brigadier had been killed.

It was then that Naik Mukutdhari Singh of the OP Party exclaimed, “Arrey yeh to hamare Shamim Sahib hain!” Brig AR Shamim had been BC 50 Field Battery SP at partition, when he had opted for Pakistan Army. The GOC was later identified as Maj Gen Nasir Ahmed Khan. It becomes clear that Capt Mittal had hit Pakistan 1st Armoured Division’s Recce Group. Soon thereafter we intercepted the radio message by the GOC’s Rover, “Hamare sabse bade Imaam mare gaye!”

Story- 5

Indian Army After Independence

Major K.C. Praval

Story-6

Drummers Call

ISBN 978-93-88150-00-2

Lt Gen N S Brar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM

Story-7

Blog:Politically Incorrect Generally:May 12, 2018 - Assal Uttar 1965

(https://kulveersamra.wordpress.com/2018/05/12/asal-uttar-1965/)

Maj Gen.Nasir Ahmed Khan,Commander of 1 Armoured Division of Pakistan (GOC) watching the disintegration of his division from the air in a helicopter spoke directly to the 4th armoured Brigade Commander (BC);

GOC: ‘Turn right till you hit the road, follow it and you will find me at milpost 36-----

Maj Gen Nasir Ahmed Khan in fact, came down to meet his troops, and was killed in action''.

Story-8

Indian Defence Review Indo-Pak War 1965: Major Actions By Brig K Kuldip Singh Book Excerpts: Kurukshetra to Kargil | Date : 02 Sep , 2015

(http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/indo-pak-war-1965-major-actions/)

Asal Uttar became the graveyard for the enemy tanks, where Pakistan lost 97 tanks, mostly Pattons. The General Officer Commanding of the Pakistani attack division, Major General Nasir Ahmed Khan, in his attempt to lead boldly from front, was wounded and the artillery commander was killed. Besides, a large number of Pakistan officers and men were taken prisoners. It was in this operation that the 4 Mountain Division, which had lost its reputation in 1962 Sino-Indian War (Kameng Sector), was able ..

Story-9