Epitome of Valor: The Saga of Sardar Post.

9th April Rann of Kutch, Gujarat. A small contingent of CRPF repulsed a brigade strength attack of Pakistan Army in 1965 Indo-Pak war.

The valiant fight by the force, which was posted for border guarding duties that time, is mentioned as one of the glorious chapters in military history of the nation when only two companies (about 120 personnel) of the force stood their ground and repulsed the Pakistani attack.

The force was tasked to secure Sardar Post seeing the aggressive posturing of the other side. The location was at a flat area which was tactically disadvantageous. On the intervening night of 8-9 April, 3,500 men of 51st Infantry Brigade of Pakistan comprising of 18 Punjab Battalion, 8 Frontier Rifles and 6 Baluch Battalion stealthily launched simultaneous assault on the Sardar and Tak Posts under an operation codenamed "Desert Hawk". The fight lasted 12 hours during which the enemy made three attempts to overrun the post but was repulsed with heavy casualties by some dare-devil action by the CRPF men.

The retaliation by the CRPF men saw the numerically and armament superior Pakistan retreating the areas and leaving behind 34 bodies of their soldiers including two officers. Four Pakistani soldiers were taken as hostages while six CRPF men made the supreme sacrifice and the post was saved.

By CRPF India | 27362 views