NEW DELHI: In order to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Indo-Pak war, country's largest paramilitary CRPF will organise an exhibition of its exploits where a small contingent of the force repulsed a brigade strength attack of the neighbouring country that year.
The small exhibit will be a part of the showcase being opened by the defence forces at the India Gate lawns here tomorrow.
The fight-back by the force, which was posted for border guarding duties that time, is mentioned as one of the glorious chapters in military history of the nation when only two companies (about 150 personnel) of the force stood their ground and repulsed the Pakistani attack.
The force was tasked to secure Sardar post seeing the aggressive posturing of the other side and the location was at a flat area which was tactically disadvantageous.
On the intervening night of 8-9 April, 3,500 men of 51st Infantry Brigade of Pakistan and comprising 18 Punjab battalion, 8 Frontier Rifles and 6 Baluch battalion stealthily launched simultaneous assault on the Sardar and Tak Posts under an operation codenamed "Desert Hawk".
The fight lasted 12 hours during which the enemy made three attempts to overrun the post but was repulsed with heavy casualties by some dare-devil action by the paramilitary men.
The retaliation by the CRPF men saw the numerically and armament superior Pakistan retreating the areas and leaving behind 34 bodies of their soldiers including two officers.
Four Pakistani soldiers were taken as hostages while six CRPF men made the supreme sacrifice and the post was saved.
"The CRPF kiosk will help visitors know the grit and courage by these men," a senior official said.
The about 3-lakh personnel strong force remembers its martyrs by observing 'Valour day' on April 9 every year.