Asal Uttar, Punjab, Oct. 1 — Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, GOC-in-C Western Command, inaugurated the upgraded Asal Uttar War Memorial and Museum, marking the state’s first military heritage site.
Located in the Khemkaran sector’s paddy fields, Asal Uttar was the site of one of India’s most decisive battles during the 1965 war. Between September 8 and 10, Indian troops halted Pakistan’s armoured advance in a fierce three-day clash, destroying or capturing 97 Patton tanks. The battlefield earned the nickname “Graveyard of Pattons,” with the wreckage forming an open-air display known as “Patton Nagar.”
The project, led by the Indian Army’s Golden Arrow Division in collaboration with INTACH Punjab, was developed as part of the diamond jubilee commemoration of the 1965 war. Lt Gen Katiyar called it “a tribute to soldiers’ valour,” while INTACH Punjab convenor Maj Gen Balwinder Singh (retd), VSM, described it as “a blueprint for how a community, a state, and a nation can preserve, interpret and learn from military history in situ.”
The memorial and museum also commemorate other historic engagements, including the Battle of Barki (1965) and the Battle of Sehjra (1971), highlighting acts of leadership, bravery, and tactical acumen. Among the celebrated figures is CQMH Abdul Hamid of 4 Grenadiers, whose heroism during the 1965 battle has earned him legendary status in Indian military history.
Maj Gen Singh noted that the initiative balances authenticity with accessibility, with the Army contributing custodianship of regimental memory and artefacts, and INTACH providing conservation, curation, and visitor-experience expertise. Dr Baljit Kaur, convener of INTACH Tarn Taran chapter, emphasized that exhibits should humanize all sides, noting, “Naming Pakistani casualties and units—accurately and respectfully—transforms a victory narrative into a human narrative.”
The site aims to serve as both a memorial and an educational experience, with annual homage planned at Abdul Hamid’s mausoleum and active coordination among district administration, tourism bodies, local panchayats, and veterans’ groups.
