The Battle of Haji Pir: India’s Bold Move in the 1965 Indo-Pak War

Operation Gibraltar caught the Indian Army off guard, and the infiltrators initially gained ground. For the first time, India decided to abandon their usual defensive stance. Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh, VrC, Western Command’s GOC-in-C, had been monitoring the entire situation and initiated a strategic plan.

“Now, it’s time for us to go on offensive. If we capture Haji Pir Pass and the entire Haji Pir bulge, we will effectively lock these infiltrators in Kashmir for General Umrao’s boys to hunt them down. Also, with the pass with us, the infiltration from the enemy’s side will stop.”

—Lt Gen Harbaksh Singh to Lt Gen Katoch, The Battle of Haji Pir by Kulpreet Yadav

This marked a turning point in India’s approach—moving from a reactive stance to a proactive strategy. For the first time, India decided to cross the Ceasefire Line, a bold move that would culminate in one of the most significant battles of the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

Haji Pir Pass was no ordinary ridge—it was the main gateway for infiltrators entering Kashmir under Operation Gibraltar. Located in the Pir Panjal range, it connected Uri and Poonch with Pakistan-administered territory, making it a lifeline for infiltration operations.

Three adjoining heights—Bedori (3,760 m), Ledwali Gali (3,140 m), and Sank (2,895 m)—dominated the area. Capturing them was vital before any attack on the pass itself.

For India, taking Haji Pir meant two things: cutting off infiltration at its source and reducing the road distance between Uri and Poonch from 282 km to just 56 km, giving the Army a huge logistical edge.

After the formal orders for the execution were issued, the anti-infiltration campaign picked up speed. The plan was to strike the Haji Pir bulge from two directions—Uri in the north-east and Poonch in the south-west—closing in on the pass like a pincer.

To achieve this, two simultaneous operations were launched:

Led by Brig Zorawar Chand Bakshi, PVSM, MVC, VrC, VSM (later Lieutenant General) of the 68 Infantry Brigade, this was the main thrust. Units like 1 Para Battalion, 19 Punjab, 4 Rajput, 6 Dogra, 4 Sikh Light Infantry, and 6 JAK Rifles were tasked with capturing the dominating features—Sank, Ledwali Gali, and Bedori—before storming Haji Pir Pass itself.

Launched from the south under Brigadier Zora Singh, this supporting thrust aimed to apply pressure from the Poonch end, fix Pakistani forces in place, and prevent reinforcements from moving towards the pass.

The plan was bold and risky. Success depended on swift movement through steep, rain-drenched ridges under enemy fire.

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The plan for the assault looked sound on paper, but on the ground, challenges quickly emerged. Heavy rains delayed the operation by 24 hours, and the difficult terrain, combined with resistance, meant that 19 Punjab and 4 Rajput were unable to secure Bedori as intended (though this key feature was later captured). Some positions were successfully captured, pushing Indian forces deeper into enemy-held territory.

Amid these setbacks, Major Ranjit Singh Dyal, PVSM, MVC, of 1 Para Battalion emerged as a decisive leader. Determined to capture Haji Pir at any cost, he proposed an audacious move—to outflank the enemy by leading his men across rain-soaked ridges and near-impassable routes.

“Or we might win sir. Ya te aapa shaheed, ya pher aapa Haji Pir capture kar ke history bana lange.”

—Major Dyal to his CO, The Battle of Haji Pir by Kulpreet Yadav

Through the night, his battalion pressed forward in silence, hauling weapons and equipment over forests, steep cliffs, and mud-laden tracks. By dawn on 28 August 1965, 1 Para Battalion appeared behind enemy defences at Haji Pir, taking them completely by surprise.

The ensuing close combat was fierce, but the momentum was with the Indian troops. Overcoming resistance, they secured the position and raised the tricolour over the pass.

Against all odds, the capture of Haji Pir became one of the most daring and defining successes of the 1965 Indo-Pak War.

The capture of Haji Pir Pass in August 1965 was more than an ordinary victory; it demonstrated the grit, determination, and tactical capabilities of the Indian Army under intense conditions. Though the pass was later returned following the Tashkent Agreement, a peace accord signed on 10 January 1966 between India and Pakistan, brokered by the Soviet Union. The agreement aimed to restore diplomatic relations, withdraw forces to pre-war positions, and ensure a ceasefire following the 1965 Indo-Pak War.

The operation remains a remarkable example of strategic planning and execution, etched into India’s military history. Today, Haji Pir stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made on the high ridges of Jammu & Kashmir and the enduring legacy of those who fought there—an episode worth revisiting, studying, and remembering.

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