Date: Late October 1947, shortly after the Kashmir crisis begins but before the full multi-front launch
Location: South Block, Delhi
Prepared By: Office of the Prime Minister
Operation Name: Operation Bharat Shakti
The strategy is to ensure a decisive military and geopolitical neutralization of Pakistan, reducing it to a landlocked, fragmented, and militarily impotent state within a three-month operational window from the commencement of multi-front offensives.
The plan includes:
Full integration of Jammu, Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
2. Capture of Karachi port and Sindh coastal strip and ensure the Balochistan becomes Indian Protectorate (Autonomous state but under Indian protection).
3. Occupation of Lahore and creating a significant buffer zone in Pakistan from all sides.
4. Collapse of East Pakistan via Dhaka/Khulna operation.
5. Rapid expansion of the Indian Army through massive civilian and veteran recruitment to sustain offensive momentum. All primary territorial and strategic objectives are to be achieved by the end of January 1948 to pre-empt significant international intervention.
FORCE EXPANSION – PARTITION VOLUNTEER CORPS (PVC)
* Recruitment Target: 300,000 personnel
* Sources: Refugees, WWII veterans, ex-INA soldiers, civilians (prioritizing those with scores to settle)
* Training Duration: 6 weeks total
* Weeks 1-2: Basic drills, handling weapons, indoctrination
* Weeks 3-4: Tactical field training (infantry maneuvers, shock assault basics)
* Weeks 5-6: Assignment to border units, support roles, or direct integration into offensive formations
* Deployment Readiness: Units deploy in waves starting Week 4 of their cycle. Critical for sustaining rapid offensive tempo across multiple fronts.
NORTHERN FRONT – KASHMIR, GILGIT-BALTISTAN, & KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA
* Objective: Secure Srinagar Valley; subsequently, total control of J&K including Gilgit Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
* Action Timeline:
* Phase 1 (Immediate - By Mid-December 1947): Secure Srinagar valley; defend Baramulla and Uri; push raiders back across the border.
* Phase 2 (Mid-December 1947 – End of January 1948): Reinforced by PVC; offensive push to secure Gilgit Baltistan.
* Final Phase: Offensive push for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after Pakistani forces starts to retreat.
Expected by: End of January 1948.
EASTERN FRONT – EAST PAKISTAN COLLAPSE
* Objective: Occupy Dhaka-Khulna-Jessore arc; induce administrative collapse.
* Start Date: Mid December 1947.
* Timeline:
* Week 1: Rapid entry via Tripura & Siliguri corridor; secure initial bridgeheads.
* Weeks 2-3: Multi-pronged, swift push to Dhaka and other key urban centers; disrupt governance, encourage local Bengali disillusionment.
* Target Completion (Key Objectives & Administrative Breakdown): End of December 1947.
Duration: Approx. 3-4 weeks.
WESTERN FRONT PHASE I – KARACHI-BALOCHISTAN COASTAL STRIKE
* Objective: Capture and disable Karachi port; seize coastal access; landlock West Pakistan.
* Start Date: Early-January 1948.
* Timeline:
* Week 1: Surprise amphibious landings at Gwadar, Pasni, Ormara; establish beachheads; rapid inland push toward Karachi outskirts by mobile columns.
* Weeks 2-3: Encircle and capture Karachi; neutralize naval base; secure key points along the Sindh coast. And ensure Baloch coast is friendly territory.
* Target Completion (Karachi Neutralized & Coastal Strip Secured): Late-January 1948.
Total Duration: Approx. 3-4 weeks.
WESTERN FRONT PHASE II – LAHORE & WEST PUNJAB BUFFER
* Objective: Occupy Lahore and establish a 30-50 km deep strategic buffer inside Pakistan from all sides.
* Start Date: Early-Mid January 1948.
* Forces: 3 battle-ready PVC brigades (shock troops) + 2 regular army divisions (armored & mechanized emphasis).
* Timeline:
* Week 1: Concentrated border crossing from Ferozepur/Amritsar axis; achieve rapid breakthroughs against anticipated thin defenses.
* Weeks 2-3: Encircle and occupy Lahore; secure the designated buffer zone; destroy enemy military infrastructure.
* Target Completion (Lahore Secured & Buffer Established): Late January 1948. Duration: Approx. 3 weeks.
KALAT STRATEGIC BUFFER
* Political Objective: Formalize immediate alliance with Kalat Khanate, guaranteeing autonomy under Indian protection.
* Military Objective: Secure consent for and establish Indian logistical bases in Kalat territory to support Balochistan operations and further isolate West Pakistan.
SIGNATURE PANEL:
Prime Minister (Arjun Mehra)