Bab 19: First Indo-Pak War - IV
On the morning of December 14, 1947, the war between India and Pakistan had entered its final and most brutal phase.
For two days, the Indian Army had pushed forward relentlessly, capturing strategic locations that would alter the balance of power in the region forever. Gilgit-Baltistan had been secured.
Chitral, the last bastion of Pakistani control in the north, was about to fall.
Lahore and Multan were firmly under Indian control, and only Islamabad remained standing.
Major General Arjun Mehta stood at the edge of the battlefield, looking out over the smoke-filled valley.
The battle for Chitral had been fierce, with both sides suffering heavy losses, but the Indian forces had pushed through, their resolve bolstered by the clear and unyielding mandate from Prime Minister Rohan.
"General, the last of the Pakistani forces in Chitral have surrendered," Colonel Rao reported, his voice weary but filled with a sense of accomplishment. "We've secured the entire region."
Mehta allowed himself a brief smile. "Good. Secure the area, and make sure the civilians are protected. We've won the battle, but we need to maintain order."
As Mehta issued his final orders, he couldn't help but think of the long road that had led to this moment.
The seven days of fighting had been a whirlwind of victories and losses, but India had emerged victorious on nearly every front.
Now, with Chitral in hand, the most challenging part of the campaign was over.
While Mehta and his men secured the last of Gilgit-Baltistan, General Singh was overseeing the final stages of the siege of Lahore.
For days, his forces had surrounded the city, cutting off all supplies and isolating it from the rest of Pakistan.
The siege had been swift and brutal, with Indian artillery raining down on the city's defenses, leaving them crumbling.
As the first rays of dawn broke over the horizon, General Singh received word from his frontline commanders that Lahore's defenses had collapsed.
Pakistani soldiers were retreating into the heart of the city, trying to regroup, but it was clear they couldn't hold out for much longer.
"Send in the troops," Singh ordered calmly, his eyes scanning the maps in front of him. "Take the city, but keep civilian casualties to a minimum. We're not here to destroy Lahore; we're here to liberate it."
As Indian soldiers flooded into the city, the resistance from Pakistani forces was sporadic.
Many had already fled, unable to withstand the overwhelming might of the Indian Army. Within hours, Lahore fell.
The city, a jewel of Pakistan, was now under Indian control.
Meanwhile, to the south, Colonel Sam forces had completed their siege of Multan.
The battle there had been equally intense, with Pakistan desperately trying to hold onto the city as a last line of defense.
But Sam's troops had advanced methodically, cutting off supply lines and wearing down the enemy's will to fight.
By midday, the Pakistani commanders in Multan had signaled their surrender.
The Indian flag was raised over the city, and the sounds of gunfire were replaced by the noise of military vehicles securing the streets.
Sam, standing in what had once been a Pakistani command post, took a deep breath.
The battle was over.
The world was watching in shock.
Within just ten days, India had not only repelled Pakistan's initial offensive but had launched a counterattack so decisive, so overwhelming, that it had changed the geopolitical landscape of the region.
Major cities were under siege, and the Pakistani military, caught off-guard by the sheer scale and speed of the Indian offensive, was in disarray.
But the war wasn't over yet.
Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, remained defiant.
Though surrounded by Indian forces, the city had not yet fallen.
General Mehta knew that capturing Islamabad would be the final blow, the one that would force Pakistan to the negotiating table.
As night fell on December 14, Mehta stood with his officers, reviewing the plans for the final assault on Islamabad.
The city was heavily fortified, and Mehta knew that the battle would be fierce.
But the Indian Army had momentum on its side, and Mehta was confident that victory was within reach.
"General," Colonel Rao said, interrupting his thoughts, "we've received word from Prime Minister Varma. He wants to speak with you directly."
Mehta took the radio from Rao, his heart pounding. "This is General Mehta," he said, his voice steady.
"Arjun," Rohan's voice crackled through the radio, "you've done an incredible job. Gilgit-Baltistan is ours, and the world is watching in awe. But now, it's time to finish this."
Mehta nodded, though he knew Rohan couldn't see him. "We're ready, Prime Minister. Islamabad will fall within the next 48 hours."
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then Rohan spoke again, his voice filled with emotion. "When this is over, we'll have changed the course of history. You and your men have achieved something that will be remembered for generations. But we need to be cautious. The international community is putting pressure on us to end this war quickly. They don't want to see Islamabad burn."
Mehta understood. "We'll take the city, but we'll do it strategically. No unnecessary destruction. I'll make sure of it."
"Good," Rohan replied. "I'm counting on you."
As the conversation ended, Mehta turned to his officers. "Prepare the men for the final push. We take Islamabad, but we do it cleanly. This is about securing our future, not razing cities."
Back in New Delhi, Rohan stood by the window of his office, looking out over the quiet city. He had changed the course of history.
He had done what no one thought possible.
Neeraj entered the room, holding a bottle of whisky in one hand and two glasses in the other. "I think it's time for a celebration, don't you?"
Neeraj said, a rare smile crossing his face.
Rohan chuckled, taking the glass from Neeraj. "You're right. We've earned this."
They sat down together, the exhaustion of the past days settling in.
Rohan poured himself a glass, watching the amber liquid swirl in the glass before taking a sip.
The warmth spread through him, and for the first time in days, he allowed himself to relax.
"We've done it, Neeraj," Rohan said quietly, staring out at the night sky. "We've changed the future. Pakistan is on its knees, and Gilgit-Baltistan is ours. We've secured India's future."
Neeraj raised his glass. "To the future."
They drank in silence for a moment
The world would never be the same.
"You know," Rohan said, leaning back in his chair, "I always knew we could do it. But seeing it happen, seeing how quickly it all came together... it's overwhelming."
Neeraj nodded. "The generals, the soldiers... they all believed in your vision. They fought for it, and they made it a reality."
Rohan smiled, a rare moment of satisfaction washing over him. "This is just the beginning, Neeraj. We've changed the game, and now we're in control."
As the night wore on, Rohan and Neeraj continued to drink.
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