1965 war still echoing in ex-jawan’s ears

Varatharajan, from Virudhunagar, had joined the army in March 1963 and served there little over 5 years. However, in the short span he had witnessed one of the greatest wars after World War-II, the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war, in which India had an upper hand before the intervention of United Nations. 

Varatharajan related his tale to DTNext. He said he began his career in Assam. “We used to be scared out of our wits by tigers which would often intrude our camp. We wanted to find a way to scare them. It was then one fellowmen suggested using a torchlight,” he said. He also showed the torchlight which he had bought in 1965 for Rs.12, to tackle the fierce intruders. 

At times taking a holiday too has been difficult for this army man. Once when he went home for a holiday, he was recalled in just two days owing to the commencement of Indo-Pakistan war. He was asked to join the Sialkot base. Though Sialkot is in Pakistan the Indian base near Sialkot was called Sialkot base claimed Varatharajan.

He went on to explain that during the course of war, three wings of the Indian Army had sneaked into the Pakistan border. “When the three met, they began attacking each other as the men thought that the wing on their opposite side was that of Pakistan. In that incident there was a large number of causalities on Indian side but they managed to regain their strength soon,” he said.

Varatharajan also quoted another incident when the Indian army was ambushed by Pakistani forces. He explained that army officials had ordered them to capture a village (he could not recollect the name), but the men unknowingly went too far inside the Pakistan territory. When they were searching for Pakistani soldiers, they were attacked from behind. This resulted in several casualties, he explained. Following the ambush the Indian Army was forced to retreat. But it was rebuked by the higher officials, which according to them was an cowardly act. He went on to claim that the war was a success for Indian Army as they had intruded into the Pakistan territory beyond the limit that was planned by the officials. However, when such intrusions happen the casualties would also tend to go high claimed Varatharajan.

After retiring from the service Varatharajan has worked in many places. He was also into business for some time. But being honest is what he has learnt from his disciplined army life. This is what keeps me going all the while, he explains.