Battle of Fazilka

Battle of Fazilka
Part of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971

From left to right and bottom:
  • Battleground map of Sulemanki.
  • The Pakistani army overwhelmed the Indian defenses at Fazilka.
  • A Pakistani soldier from the 6th Frontier Force Regiment on a knocked-out Indian T-54/55 at Sulemanki.
Date3 December – 17 December 1971
Location
Fazilka, Punjab India-Pakistan Border
Result Pakistani victory
Territorial
changes
Pakistan captured significant land in Fazilka
Belligerents
India Pakistan
Commanders and leaders
Brig. S.S. Chowdhry (replaced by Brig. G.S. Reen, later by Brig. Piara Singh)

Brig. Amir Hamza

Major Shabbir Sharif  
Units involved

 Indian Army

Border Security Force

 Pakistan Army

 Pakistan Air Force

Strength
  • 16x T-54 tanks
  • 16x Sherman tanks
  • 24x field artillery guns
  • 8x medium artillery guns
  • (plus reinforcements)
    • 16x Sherman tanks
    • Unknown artillery guns
    • 12x F-86 aircraft
    Casualties and losses
  • 190 killed
  • 145 captured
  • 196 missing
  • 425 wounded
  • Total Casualties: 956

    Several tanks destroyed
    • 59 killed
    • 30 Captured

    Total Casualties:
    89

    1 tank captured

    The Battle of Fazilka, also known as the Battle of Sulemanki, was a military engagement during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 in the western front, near the Indo-Pakistani border in Punjab. In this battle Pakistani forces achieved success against the Indian 67 Brigade, capturing significant territory west of Fazilka.