The Capture of Haji Pir
Major Ranjit Singh Dyal and 1 Para's Legendary Assault
On August 28, 1965, after a gruelling climb of nearly 4,000 feet, Major Dyal and his paratroopers captured the Haji Pir Pass. 1 Para was awarded the Battle Honour 'Hajipir.' The Pass would have given India a strategic advantage - its return at Tashkent remains controversial.
The Pass That Controlled Kashmir
In the rugged Pir Panjal range of Kashmir lies the Haji Pir Pass - 8,652 feet above sea level, a narrow gap through seemingly impenetrable mountains. For Pakistan, it was the gateway to infiltration into Kashmir. For India, it was a wound that bled constantly.
In August 1965, India decided to close that wound. The mission fell to the paratroopers of 1 Para - India's elite airborne soldiers. And the man who would lead them into legend was Major Ranjit Singh Dyal.
The Strategic Importance of Haji Pir
The Haji Pir Pass connected Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Through this pass, Pakistani infiltrators and supplies flowed into the Valley. Closing it would:
- Cut a major infiltration route
- Deny Pakistan a strategic link to the Kashmir Valley
- Give India a commanding position on the Pir Panjal range
- Shorten the length of the Line of Control India had to defend
But capturing the pass was considered nearly impossible. The approach required climbing 4,000 feet of steep, heavily defended mountain terrain. Pakistani bunkers overlooked every approach. Any attacking force would be exposed to fire from above for hours.
Previous attempts had failed. Conventional wisdom said it couldn't be done.
Conventional wisdom hadn't met 1 Para.
Operation Bakshi - The Plan
The operation was code-named after its architect, Brigadier Zoru Chand Bakshi - a legend in the Indian Army known for aggressive tactics and personal courage. Bakshi had studied the terrain and devised a daring plan:
- Multiple feints to distract Pakistani defenders
- A main assault up the steepest route - so steep the Pakistanis thought it impossible
- Night climbing to avoid observation
- A final assault at dawn before the enemy could react
The assault force would be 1 Para under Major Ranjit Singh Dyal, with support from 4 Rajput and other units. They would carry everything on their backs - no mules, no supply lines. Just men, weapons, and willpower.