Pakistani Soldier’s Remark Reflects Human Truth of 1971 War

As India commemorates Vijay Diwas, the anniversary of its decisive victory in the 1971 India-Pakistan war, Major General (retired) Lakhwinder Singh recalls a poignant interaction with a Pakistani soldier that has stayed with him for over five decades. Singh, who was commissioned into the Indian Army in December 1967, served as a 23-year-old captain in the Dera Baba Nanak sector, directly facing Pakistani positions across Kartarpur Sahib.

Days following the ceasefire on December 16, 1971, Singh was part of a small contingent tasked with exchanging sweets and greetings with Pakistani soldiers to mark Eid. This meeting, taking place at a designated spot near the border, was a brief pause in the hostilities that had just concluded. During this exchange, a Pakistani soldier made a remark that resonated deeply with Singh: “Agar India ke officers aur Pakistan ke jawan mil jaayen to duniya mein koi humein shikast nahi de sakta,” which translates to, “If Indian officers and Pakistani soldiers come together, no one in the world could defeat us.”

Insights from the Battlefield

Singh reflected on how this statement underscored the perception of Indian Army officers across the border. Although his identity as the artillery officer was not disclosed at the time, the Pakistani soldiers acknowledged the significant impact of artillery fire during the conflict. Singh remarked, “I simply smiled and thanked him,” interpreting the comment as an acknowledgment of the leadership style prevalent among Indian officers, who are trained to lead from the front.

“It is not that Indian soldiers are not brave; they are extremely courageous. But the statement surprised us,” Singh added. He noted that similar sentiments echoed during the Kargil War more than two decades later, suggesting that stories of Indian Army officers have persisted through generations on the other side of the border. Singh emphasized that during the 1971 war, they primarily encountered Pakistani Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) at the front, reinforcing the Pakistani soldier’s observation.

Retired Lieutenant General Mohan Bhandari, who served alongside Singh during the Kargil conflict, concurred with this assessment based on his extensive battlefield experience. “It is well known that Pakistani officers rarely lead their men from the front, unlike Indian Army officers. Indian officers are trained to lead from the front, not issue orders from behind,” he explained. Bhandari elaborated on the human cost of this leadership style, highlighting that a higher proportion of Indian Army officers sacrifice their lives in conflict, willing to fight and die for their men without hesitation.

Memories Beyond Tactics

For Singh, the memories of the 1971 war extend beyond tactical lessons. One incident from the Dera Baba Nanak sector remains particularly vivid. On December 6, 1971, Singh and his unit, including soldiers from 1/3 Gorkha, were tasked with attacking a fortified enclave held by the Pakistan Army. The operation commenced under the cover of darkness, with heavy firing from their side.

During their advance, they encountered a fortified Pakistani pillbox, which they engaged with artillery fire for several minutes. “We were certain that anyone inside would have been killed,” Singh recalled. However, moments later, a Pakistani soldier emerged from the pillbox and dashed for safety. Singh and his men were taken aback. “We froze and could not bring ourselves to pull the trigger. It felt like the Almighty had willed that he live,” he said, expressing the profound humanity that can emerge even in the chaos of war.

On this Vijay Diwas, as India reflects on its military achievements, stories like Singh’s illuminate the shared humanity that endures between adversaries. Beyond the strategies, uniforms, and borders, moments of compassion and understanding reveal the complex nature of warfare, reminding us that even in conflict, humanity prevails.