Battle of Pandu | |||||||||
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Part of Indo-Pakistani war of 1947-1948 and Kashmir conflict | |||||||||
![]() Pandu in Azad Kashmir (Pakistan) on a map | |||||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||||
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Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
Tribal commander: |
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Units involved | |||||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||||
100 Killed[1] |
309 Killed[1] 1 aircraft shot down[11] |
The Battle of Pandu,[12] also known as Operation Pandu,[note 2] was a pivotal engagement in the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947-1948. Fought in the Pandu massif along the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road in Kashmir, the battle centered on control of the strategically important high ground. The Pakistani forces at Chakothi faced a disadvantage to Indian troops on the dominating peaks,[14] The Indian force planned an offensive towards Muzaffarabad through Pandu.[15] Having earlier lost key positions in Pandu to an Indian offensive, Pakistan launched a counter-operation to retake the area, ultimately led to the capture of the Pandu area.[16]
After the unsuccessful summer offensive towards Muzaffarabad from Pandu, the Indian forces launched preparations for a new offensive originating from Jammu. This operation aimed to push westward and northward to relieve Poonch and other areas from Pakistani control.[17] Lieutenant General Bajwa of the Indian Army acknowledged the Pakistani forces for holding their positions. These posts, currently under Pakistani control, offer a strategically advantageous view of the Uri valley in Indian-administered Kashmir, south of the Jhelum River.[18]
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