In the war of 1965 every soldier of Pakistan Army wrote a tale of bravery and manhood with his blood; some of them became immortal on the pages of history. Among one of them is the savior of Lahore, Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider). His time spent on the observation post of Barki is a golden chapter in the military history of Pakistan. Pakistan Army Museum, Lahore has constructed a diorama as the depiction of his action on the OP.
For the information of the viewers, we present a summary of five days spent on the OP by Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed.
September 06, 1965
Major Aziz Bhatti along with Captain Anwar and Naik Ayaz Khan took position at a high rise house of the area. The company of Major Shafqat Baloch was returning and the enemy was advancing, so careful observation was necassary.
At about 1200 HRS, Shafqat and his men returned safely, enabling Bhatti to direct artillary fire on the advancing enemy. Near Hudyara and Barka Kalan, enemy movement was spotted. Bhatti directed artillery fire and nearly the whole company was finished.
From 17 Miles of Hudyara in an orchard, the movement and concentration of enemy vehicles was spotted. Taking the grid reference, Bhatti directed artillery fire and the nearly the whole enemy fleet was lit to flames.
September 07, 1965
Between Barka Khurd and Barka Kalan, a concentration of enemy trucks was spotted. Major Bhatti directed fire on them. Artillery pounded for half an hour. Rising smoke indicated the enemy destruction. For the recce purpose, a L-19 Cessna was flown, which informed about 4 enemy tanks in the area. Fire direction was again given, 2 tanks were destroyed while 2 ran away.
Enemy spotted the presence of Major Bhatti in the area, IAF jets were sent to hit the target. However, PAF intercepted the Indian formation and compelled them to run away.
September 08, 1965
At 17 Miles, enemy company was spotted advancing. Major Bhatti directed artillery fire. Howitzers, Air Burst and field guns opened fire and whole company was swept.
September 09, 1965
Enemy sent IAF jets, which bombed the OP . A portion was destroyed but Major Bhatti remained safe and still unconvinced to leave the position.
A convoy of 13 vehicles was observed moving. Major Bhatti directed artillery fire, not leaving even a single vehicle intact. Whole convoy was shattered into pieces.
September 10, 1965
At about 815 HRS, enemy vehicles were spotted near a tubewell. It was suspected that enemy was dumping supplies there. Artillery fire was directed, initially targeting the vehicles. Later the tubewell sight was also targeted. A gigantic explosion indicated the presence of ammunition dump.
In the later hours of September 10, Major Aziz Bhatti and his men left the position after causing massive damage to the enemy and positioned after crossing the BRB Canal.
(The video is of a Simulation room, constructed by Pakistan Army Museum, to commemorate the heroic action of Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed.)
