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THE FIFTH ARMY – THE UNTOLD STORY FROM CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS

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View of lush green Bandarban hills and valley

SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE – OPERATION EAGLE – LIBERATION WAR OF BANGLADESH 1971:

Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India had initiated Liberation of Bangladesh during 1971 with military action in Chittagong Hill Tracts. This battle plan is known as Operation Eagle.

A PHOTO ID PICTURE TAKEN IN 1972 AFTER THE LIBERATION WAR.
A PHOTO ID PICTURE TAKEN IN 1972 AFTER THE LIBERATION WAR.

In this picture, I have no medal ribbons to display. The medals for participation in the Indo-Pak War of 1971 had arrived later.

Major General Sujan Singh Uban, the Commander of Special Frontier Force.

Major General Sujan Singh Uban, the Commander of Special Frontier Force.The Commander of the ‘Fifth Army’ in Chittagong Hill Tracts.

General Sujan Singh Uban had narrated his story in his book titled ‘The Phantoms of Chittagong : The Fifth Army in Bangladesh.

Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands(December 1985 to December 1989) – Lieutenant General(Retd) TS Oberoi, PVSM, VrC., former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Headquarters Southern Command, Pune, former Inspector General, Special Frontier Force, former Commandant, Headquarters Establishment No. 22. He is the tall person in this photo wearing dark brown turban. I knew him since 1971. Under his able leadership, the Liberation of Bangladesh had commenced in the year 1971 during the Indo-Pak War.Apart from his military wisdom, he took a good care of all men under his Command. While I was proceeding to Chittagong Hill Tracts, he had individually greeted all the members of my team and had delayed the departure of aircraft to ensure that a hot breakfast was served to all the men boarding the aircraft. He paid personal attention to all the aspects of the military mission to ensure the wellbeing of men apart from achieving success in accomplishing the military task. The sense of warmth he radiated is easily felt when we meet him in person. His grandson provided me the link to this photo. Photo Credit – Trishna-Ajay-Picasa Web Album.

A VIEW OF INDIAN MIZO HILLS FROM CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS

A VIEW OF INDIAN MIZO HILLS FROM CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS

Rivers and streams flow throughout the region of Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Rivers and streams flow throughout the region of Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Early morning dense fog and mist in Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Early morning dense fog and mist in Chittagong Hill Tracts.

I used a large waterproof poncho to get protection from early morning mist and dew.

I used a large waterproof poncho to get protection from early morning mist and dew.

The Fifth Army operated in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The Fifth Army operated in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Chittagong Hill Tracts is sparsely populated with isolated dwellings.

Chittagong Hill Tracts is sparsely populated with isolated dwellings.

The Simplicity of Chakma Existence.

The Simplicity of Chakma Existence.

The CHAKMA posed no threat but we had avoided direct contact.

The CHAKMA posed no threat but we had avoided direct contact.

I had camped at Kaptai Lake and it is memorable.

I had camped at Kaptai Lake and it is memorable.

I had regularly visited men deployed in Kaptai Lake Area.

I had regularly visited men deployed in Kaptai Lake Area.

We had never planned to blow up the dam over Karnaphuli River at KAPTAI.

We had never planned to blow up the dam over Karnaphuli River at KAPTAI.

For brief moments during 1971, messages in TELUGU language had appeared in the radio waves transmitted across Chittagong Hill Tracts.

For brief moments during 1971, messages in TELUGU language had appeared in the radio waves transmitted across Chittagong Hill Tracts.

We had operated in an area under the operational control of IV CORPS.

We had operated in an area under the operational control of IV CORPS.

Lieutenant General T S Oberoi, the Southern Army Commander during 1983, the former Inspector General of Special Frontier Force is seen in this photo wearing a helmet. The photo was taken during 1982 while he had visited A S C Centre, Bangalore. He would have executed Operation Blue Star with due care and concern to save the lives of his men and also the civilians.

General T S Oberoi had exuded a natural sense of affection and warmth for he had truly cared about the men under his Command and this is a quality that men would seek in the Chief of Army Staff and he was denied that opportunity. Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi made a political choice and had appointed General K S Sundarji as the Chief of Army Staff. General T S Oberoi, the senior Army Commander, had to unfortunately retire from Service in 1985 and was appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and served in that capacity until 1989.

In the history of Indian Army Medical Corps for the first time during 1971 I had provided the services of a Medical Officer, a Nursing Assistant, and an Ambulance Assistant.

In the history of Indian Army Medical Corps for the first time during 1971 I had provided the services of a Medical Officer, a Nursing Assistant, and an Ambulance Assistant.

I was trained in the use of a 9 mm SMG or Sten Gun. I had chosen to march into enemy territory without my personal weapon to defend myself. I did not throw away my weapon and I did not surrender my weapon to the enemy which are crimes under law. War is a team effort. My contribution to this team effort is not based upon firing bullets from my Sten Gun. I had totally discarded any concerns about my personal safety and worked for the success of the team. I have shown Courage by not carrying this Sten Gun and in following my team like a shadow and confronting the enemy as a TEAM.

I was trained in the use of a 9 mm SMG or Sten Gun. I had chosen to march into enemy territory without my personal weapon to defend myself. I did not throw away my weapon and I did not surrender my weapon to the enemy which are crimes under law. War is a team effort. My contribution to this team effort is not based upon firing bullets from my Sten Gun. I had totally discarded any concerns about my personal safety and worked for the success of the team. I have shown Courage by not carrying this Sten Gun and in following my team like a shadow and confronting the enemy as a TEAM.

The Indo-Pak War of 1971 and the Birth of Bangladesh are very significant achievements of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. As I was then serving in an Establishment under the Cabinet Secretariat, I had direct and personal understanding of her Foreign Policy Initiatives. She had personally approved the ‘Fifth Army’s military Operation in Chittagong Hill Tracts. In the conduct of this War, we had faced a very critical moment and it needed her personal intervention and a decision that she alone could make. I rendered my services and had overcome the challenge posed by that critical situation. The importance of this situation could be understood as it needed an intervention from the Prime Minister. I am now asking the Government of India to recognize my GALLANT response in enemy’s territory without any concern for my personal safety.

I am pleased to claim that I had established an entirely new record in providing medical support to the battle wounded in an operational area of Chittagong Hill Tracts during Operation Eagle 1971, Liberation War of Bangladesh. To provide medical support to the battle casualties, I had reached the casualties at the enemy post that we had just captured. I was the only Army Medical Corps person on the ground. We had no stretchers, blankets, and resuscitation fluids. The casualties could not be airlifted as per the prior Medical Evacuation Plan. The men felt outraged. I had comforted them with my assurance that I would accompany them to the nearest helipad that was located over forty miles away at the  Border Security Force outpost of Bonapansuria near the border in the Indian Mizo Hills. The men prepared improvised stretchers. We had no Infantry Officer to accompany us. A party of about 65 men, a Bangla Refugee as a guide, carried all the battle casualties in stretchers and had camped overnight in the forest and had reached the helipad at Bonapansuria the next day morning. I had acted as the Medical Officer, the Nursing Assistant, and an Ambulance Assistant for the battle wounded during this foot journey through the difficult hilly and forest terrain. They had reached the Field Hospital in Lungleh in very good spirits and in a stable condition in spite of being critically wounded.

Lungleh, or Lunglei, was the destination for my battle wounded patients.

Lungleh, or Lunglei, was the destination for my battle wounded patients.

THE FLAG OF INDIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS.

THE FLAG OF INDIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS.

The sense of resolve, determination, and confidence with which I had accompanied my patients and had performed a foot journey walking over forty miles through the forests of Chittagong Hill Tracts during Operation Eagle 1971 had given the sense of comfort and reassurance the men needed to boost up their morale. In the medical evacuation of battle casualties from the battle field, Army Medical Corps typically uses several Nursing Assistants and Ambulance Assistants who perform a variety of tasks. I had the unique privilege to perform their duties for I have a true sense of appreciation for the valuable services they render in providing patient care and comfort. I had actually self-learned the tasks they perform and knew it would be of a great value and an asset for my success as a Medical officer of Indian Army.

Dr. R. R. Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,

Ex- Number. MS-8466 Rank. LIEUTENANT/CAPTAIN  AMC/SSC

Medical Officer South Column Operation Eagle 1971

Headquarters Establishment No. 22  C/O  56  APO

Related Blog Posts :

1. About Guns, Victory, and Gallantry Awards – Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 – October 23, 2007

2. Liberation War of Bangladesh – Fallen Heroes on Both Sides – October 28, 2007

3. Sangram Medal 1971 – A Story that I Shared with the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services. – November 22, 2007

4. India and Iran – What is the Connection ? -  January 28, 2008

5. The Spirit of a Jew – Revisiting the Birth of Bangladesh – February 10, 2009

6. The Victory over Death – The Psychology of Warfare – July 13, 2009

7. The Phantoms of Chittagong – A Story from Chittagong Hill Tracts – August 17, 2009

8. The Medical Plan for Fifth Army in Bangladesh – The Experience of Madhurya in Chittagong Hill Tracts – August 18, 2009

9. Award of Gallantry Awards – Indo-Pak War of 1971 – August 25, 2009

10. The Art of Battlefield Medicine – September 01, 2009

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SANGRAM MEDAL 1971 – A STORY THAT I SHARED WITH THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF ARMED FORCES MEDICAL SERVICES

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Government of India, Ministry of Defence claims that Honours and Awards are conferred within a specific period from the date of the act. For every act, there are two parties involved. I had acted on behalf of Government of India and my action was directed against the Government of Pakistan. At this belated stage, after the lapse of over 32 years, what would be the view of the Government of Pakistan about this act?

 

SPECIAL FRONTIER FORCE – OPERATION EAGLE – GALLANTRY AWARD – LIBERATION WAR OF BANGLADESH 1971:

OPERATION EAGLE 1971 IN CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS – I WAS AWARDED POORVI STAR AND SANGRAM MEDAL 1971 FOR MY PARTICIPATION IN OPERATION EAGLE

Indira Gandhi, Prime Minister of India had initiated Liberation of Bangladesh with military action in Chittagong Hill Tracts. The battle plan of this military action is known as Operation Eagle. 

Sangram Medal 1971-72. Operation Eagle – Liberation War of Bangladesh

SANGRAM MEDAL 1971 

This medal was awarded for service during the 1971/72 War with Pakistan. This medal was given to all categories of personnel who served in the military, paramilitary forces, police, and civilians in service in the operational areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram or Tripura between 3 December 1971 and 20 December 1972. A lot of people were awarded with this medal. I had an opportunity to narrate my story and spoke about my War experience to The Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services during my interview for the grant of Direct Permanent Commission which was conducted during the Army Medical Corps Examination of 1972. 

Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands(December 1985 to December 1989) – Lieutenant General(Retd) TS Oberoi, PVSM, VrC., former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Headquarters Southern Command, Pune, former Inspector General, Special Frontier Force, former Commandant, Headquarters Establishment No. 22. He is the tall person in this photo wearing dark brown turban. I knew him since 1971. Under his able leadership, the Liberation of Bangladesh had commenced in the year 1971 during the Indo-Pak War.Apart from his military wisdom, he took a good care of all men under his Command. While I was proceeding to Chittagong Hill Tracts, he had individually greeted all the members of my team and had delayed the departure of aircraft to ensure that a hot breakfast was served to all the men boarding the aircraft. He paid personal attention to all the aspects of the military mission to ensure the wellbeing of men apart from achieving success in accomplishing the military task. The sense of warmth he radiated is easily felt when we meet him in person. His grandson provided me the link to this photo. Photo Credit – Trishna-Ajay-Picasa Web Album.

The remarks made by Lt Col B K Narayan on May 13, 1972 in my Annual Confidential Report for 1971-72 are as follows:”A very conscientious and Tough MO who worked hard during the Bangladesh OPs. He did very well and showed Maturity which was beyond the call of duty. I have recommended this Officer for a gallantry award for which he deserves eminently. He is physically Tough and cheerful. Is a fresh entrant with less than 2 years of Service and yet he displayed capability and confidence.

 
 
I was trained in the use of a 9 mm SMG or Sten Gun. I had chosen to march into enemy territory without my personal weapon to defend myself. I did not throw away my weapon and I did not surrender my weapon to the enemy which are crimes under law. War is a team effort. My contribution to this team effort is not based upon firing bullets from my Sten Gun. I had totally discarded any concerns about my personal safety and worked for the success of the team. I have shown Courage by not carrying this Sten Gun and in following my team like a shadow and confronting the enemy as a TEAM.

I was trained in the use of a 9 mm SMG or Sten Gun. I had chosen to march into enemy territory without my personal weapon to defend myself. I did not throw away my weapon and I did not surrender my weapon to the enemy which are crimes under law. War is a team effort. My contribution to this team effort is not based upon firing bullets from my Sten Gun. I had totally discarded any concerns about my personal safety and worked for the success of the team. I have shown Courage by not carrying this Sten Gun and in following my team like a shadow and confronting the enemy as a TEAM.

I had participated in the INDO-PAK WAR of 1971 while serving in the Indian Army after getting selected for Short Service Regular Commission in 1969. After the War I had applied for the grant of Direct Permanent Commission and there were over 3,000 doctors who had applied for the few vacancies that were available at that time.The AMC Examination for the grant of DPC was held in September, 1972 at New Delhi. The selection process had included an examination to evaluate the professional skills and an interview hosted by The Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services who was assisted by a large panel of specialists and other experts. In 1972, I was posted at a Unit and my Commander, Colonel Iqbal Singh had earlier served as the Chief of Staff at the Formation Headquarters during the 1971 War. My Commander was acutely aware of the fact that I was recommended for a Gallantry Award for my role in the War and that I had not received the Award. On my application for Direct Permanent Commission, Colonel Iqbal Singh , while giving his recommendation, wrote about my operational role and performance in the War. The Director General while commencing my interview took a brief look at my application and the remarks given by my Unit Commander. The first question that I was asked was to describe my War experience. As I spoke, the entire Selection Committee listened to me with great interest and the Director General was so fascinated with my story and he directed his second question to me, asked me to give him more details of the operation. I was a Medical Officer who had witnessed the War like a front row spectator and that was a very unique situation and only a very few get that kind of chance to witness a military operation without being a fighting soldier. He got totally engrossed with my story and he even forgot that all the time that was allotted for the interview had been used up. Since, the Selection Committee had to interview several more candidates on that day, the Director General concluded my interview with openly congratulating me for my performance during the War and he had graciously inquired the other members of the Selection Committee if they would like to ask me any more questions. They had unanimously announced that they had no other questions to ask and I was permitted to leave. A Major was designated to usher in the candidates for the interview and escort them out of the Conference Room was a witness to my performance during the interview. He had briefly spoken to me as I was leaving the venue. He had assured me that I was granted the Direct Permanent Commission and the confirmation letter would be a mere formality. A few weeks later, I did receive the confirmation letter and I was granted Direct Permanent Commission in Army Medical Corps with effect from 07 March 1973.  

Remarks of Lieutenant General T S Oberoi, PVSM, VrC, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief,Headquarters Southern Command Pune 411001.He had remarked about my participation in the Indo-Pak War of 1971.

Today, I still feel hesitant to share the story that I had narrated to my Director General and my guess is that the operation is still classified information and should not be shared with outside world.  

The story about ‘Sangram Medal’ and Permanent Regular Commission in Indian Army Medical Corps.The Indo-Pak War of 1971 and the Birth of Bangladesh are very significant achievements of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. As I was then serving in an Establishment under the Cabinet Secretariat, I had direct and personal understanding of her Foreign Policy Initiatives. She had personally approved our military Operation in Chittagong Hill Tracts. In the conduct of this War, we had faced a very critical moment and it needed her personal intervention and a decision that she alone could make. I rendered my services and had overcome the challenge posed by that critical situation. The importance of this situation could be understood as it needed an intervention from the Prime Minister. I am now asking the Government of India to recognize my GALLANT response in enemy’s territory without any concern for my personal safety.

Poorvi Star 1971-A piece of material evidence in my possession.

Poorvi Star 1971-A piece of material evidence in my possession to prove my participation in Operation Eagle during Liberation War of Bangladesh 1971.

General Sujan Singh Uban, Inspector General of Special Frontier Force was awarded the Medal of AVSM for rendering Very Distinguished Service during the Indo-Pak War of 1971.

General Sujan Singh Uban, Inspector General of Special Frontier Force was awarded the Medal of AVSM for rendering Very Distinguished Service during the Indo-Pak War of 1971.

THE PHANTOMS OF CHITTAGONG : THE FIFTH ARMY IN BANGLADESH  : 

Major General( Retd) Sujan Singh Uban, AVSM, the former Inspector General of Special Frontier Force has authored the  book  titled ‘The Phantoms of Chittagong : The Fifth Army in Bangladesh’. He had narrated the military exploits of his Force while operating in Chittagong Hill Tracts during Indo-Pak War of 1971. He did not describe the story that I had shared with the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services. My story was witnessed by hundreds of independent eye witnesses, for example, the Border Security Force Personnel who were manning the Post at Bonapansuria in Mizo Hills had celebrated my arrival with Battle Casualties at their Camp.   

The Flag of Army Medical Corps. General Sujan Singh Uban,AVSM did not discuss the Medical Plan for his Fifth Army in Bangladesh. The contribution made by his AMC Medical Officer is not stated in his Book.

The Flag of Army Medical Corps. General Sujan Singh Uban,AVSM did not discuss the Medical Plan for his Fifth Army in Bangladesh. The contribution made by his AMC Medical Officer is not stated in his Book.

Dr. R. R. Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,

Ex- Service Number: MR-03277K MAJOR AMC/DPC & MS-8466 CAPTAIN AMC/SSC

Medical Officer South Column Operation Eagle 1971

Headquarters Establishment No. 22  C/O  56  APO    

Related Blog Posts : 

1. About Guns, Victory, and Gallantry Awards- Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 – October 23, 2007 

2. India and Iran – What is the Connection ? – January 28, 2008 

3. The Spirit of a Jew – Revisiting the Birth of Bangladesh – February 10, 2009 

4. The Phantoms of Chittagong – A Story from Chittagong Hill Tracts – August 17, 2009 

5. The Fifth Army – The Untold Story from Chittagong Hill Tracts – August 18, 2009 

6. The Medical Plan for Fifth Army in Bangladesh – The Experience of Madhurya in Chittagong Hill Tracts – August 18, 2009 

7. Award of Gallantry Awards – Indo-Pak War of 1971 – August 25, 2009 

8. The Art of Battlefield Medicine – September 01, 2009 

9. Liberation War of Bangladesh – Fallen Heroes on Both Sides – October 28, 2007

Related articles

 

BANGLADESH LIBERATION WAR OF 1971

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‘ POORVI STAR ‘ AWARDED IN 1971 INDO-PAK WAR
 
 
I had participated in Operation Eagle and had served in Chittagong Hill Tracts during 1971 – 1972.
 
Dr. R. Rudra Narasimham, B.Sc., M.B.B.S.,
M.B.B.S.,  Class  of  April,  1970.
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