CHANDIGARH: Accepting that Pakistan at the time had better preparedness as India was recovering from the 1962 war with China, veterans of 1965 and other wars said here today that dismantling Pakistan's myth of over confidence remains one of the biggest takes aways for India, amongst an array of strategic lessons for future wars.
The views were echoed during a panel discussion on the 2nd day of the Military Literature Festival. 2025 by an eminent panel consisting of War Veterans including Lt. General (Dr.) J S Cheema, Major General B S Grewal, Air Vice Marshal Arjun Subramaniam, and Brigadier Satinder Singh, here earlier in the day. The engrossing session was moderated by Lt. General (Dr.) J S Cheema.
Renowned Military history AVM Arjun Subramaniam said during the discussion that not allowing the Indian Navy to take part in the 22-day 1965 War remains the war’s biggest mistake, while adding that it is also a fact that India at that time was a fledgeling in its approach towards Joint Operations.
The Indian Air Force, which was itching to get into action as it was not employed in the 1962 War, did a commendable job in not only assisting the Indian Army but also to contain the Pakistan Air Force by inflicting serious damage on their Air strips, railway lines and communication infrastructure, AVM Arjun Subramaniam added.
Leading the discussion, Major General B S Grewal, while delineating the War plan executed by India to thwart the Pakistani attack in Akhnur Sector, said the grit and camaraderie of our Units formed the bedrock of our resolve to hit Pakistan hard and teach them a lesson for forcing the War on India.
Responding to a question, General Grewal said that it has become fashionable to blame any loss as Intelligence Failure, which he said must be resisted.
"It is not only enough to have Intelligence. The real test going ahead is to absorb Intelligence through technology and exploit the available information to our advantage", he further said.
Earlier, while moderating the discussion, Lieut General Cheema said that to ascertain whether the outcome of the 1965 war was a victory or stalemate needs to be assessed from various long-term outcomes for our nation.
The over confidence of Pakistan in its ability to wreak havoc with US-made Patton Tanks was destroyed in style by our soldiers through World War II era Centurion Tanks, which performed exceedingly well, Brigadier Satinder Singh said.
Pakistan miscalculated India's resolve to fight back after being surprised on the night of September 1st, 1965. The way Pakistan was forced by India into submission after ceasefire shows that the majority of our aims both political and military were fulfilled. Reaching Lahore was never the aim during 1965 war, he added.