An IAF Mi-4 Helicopter
LUCKNOW: Ceasefire in the 1965 India-Pakistan war was declared on September 22, even as helicopter operations from 1 Wing (rushed to Air Force Station Srinagar in mid-August 1965) continued. There were infiltrators still to deal with. Speaking to TOI, Air Commodore Rajesh Isser (now Air Vice Marshal and posted in Lucknow), who dedicated a chapter on the 1965 war in his book 'The Purple Legacy', says the ceasefire was uneasy and not free of violations. During the three months the helicopters operated, they did as many as 1,464 sorties and flew 1,085.3 hours.
Isser, currently the Air Officer Commanding Advance HQ CAC (Lucknow), says in the book that the helicopters based at 1 Wing did remarkable work, against heavy odds, silently and for obvious reasons without any recognition.
"Mi-4 helicopters were rushed to 1 Wing in mid-August at a very short notice to give active support to ground forces engaged in operations against the infiltrators. The aircraft had been quickly modified to drop 20lb bombs, and were fitted with 0.5-inch guns," the author says, adding that Pakistani infiltrators suffered heavy losses, while Indian forces enjoyed effective air support in these difficult guerrilla operations.
The entire helicopter offensive potential could not be utilised fully, however, as infiltrators' hide-out could not be identified from our own inhabitants and Bakarwals (nomads), the book says. Also, lack of fast communication and adequate intelligence sources handicapped the offensive operations. Helicopters were bombing, strafing, making casualty evacuation, dropping/landing of supplies and ammunition, communication and recce operations.
"At times, some helipads and dropping zones were within range of enemy fire and on occasions they operated on forward areas, where actual shelling was talking place. The mother base at Srinagar airfield was constantly under threat from enemy air attacks. The airfield had neither any early warning facility nor any effective means of air defence from the enemy raids. Helicopters continued to operate even on days, the airfield was bombed by enemy aircraft," adds Air Commodore Isser.
IN A NUTSHELL
CASUALTY CLEARANCE: As many as 282 sorties cleared 1,323 casualties and 191 hours were flown towards this task
OFFENSIVE SORTIES: 80 sorties were done to drop 1,227 bombs (20 lbs) and fire 6,848 rounds on targets. Almost 86 hours were flown to meet these demands
LOGISTIC SUPPORT: 935 sorties totalling 688 hours were flown to meet commitments of different formations of the Army, including air dropping and landing of supplies, conveyance of passengers and recce missions. 1,09,637 kg of supplies were air dropped and 1,35,401 kg landed at forward dropping zones and helipads. 500 passengers were also sent to various destinations within J&K area
ACCIDENTS: During the period there were four accidents
DAMAGE DUE TO ENEMY ACTION: During the strafing and bombing raids by Pakistan, five Mi-4s were damaged due to shrapnel and blast. Four of these had minor damages which were attended to promptly. One was damaged, beyond repair.