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The Battle of Boyra, on 22 November 1971, was an aerial interception fought between the Indian Airforce and intruding Pakistani Air Force jets that inadvertently crossed into Indian Airspace while performing a close air support mission against the Mukti Bahini, the Bengali Guerrilla freedom fighters, and a Battalion size detachment of the Indian Army which were fighting in the Battle of Garibpur against the Pakistani Armed Forces as part of the Bangladesh Liberation War. This battle is significant as it was the first engagement between the Air Forces of India and Pakistan during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. It is seen as a culmination of the Battle of Garibpur in which the Mitro Bahini (The alliance of Mukti Bahini and Indian Armed Forces was named as Mitro Bahini meaning Allied Forces in Bengali) at Battalion strength successfully defended the area around Garibpur against a Brigade strength Combined Arms thrust by Pakistani Armed Forces and inflicted heavy casualties on them in the process. The Battle of Boyra is named after the Boyra Salient, a feature which dominates the Garibpur area, and technically it is the Battle Over Boyra since it was an aerial battle. ==Background== After months of internal tensions in East Pakistan (current day Bangladesh) leading up to the 1971 Bangladesh genocide, and a clampdown on Bengali nationalists, many independence fighters had organised themselves into a guerilla army. Called the Mukti Bahini, these rebels were aided by India in their struggle. After initial success over Pakistani troops there had been some relative calm in the region and further Indian assistance was sought to turn the tide. Economically burdened by close to 10 Million Bangladeshi refugees,〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=U.S. Consulate (Dacca) Cable, Sitrep: Army Terror Campaign Continues in Dacca; Evidence Military Faces Some Difficulties Elsewhere, Confidential, 3 pp. )〕 India thus started to involve itself deeper into the conflict brewing in the east and stationed its troops near the border. The Boyra Salient located inside the North West part of East Pakistan consisting of Garibpur village was at an important crossroads for both nations. Its control was thus vital as it included a highway to Jessore from India. On 21 November, the 14 Punjab Battalion - supported by a squadron of 14 PT-76 tanks from 45 Cavalry moved in to capture the areas around Garibpur inside Pakistani territory. The move was supposed to be a surprise, but following a skirmish with patrol troops of both armies the previous day, Pakistan was alerted to this impending attack. Pakistan immediately responded in numbers when its 107 Infantry Brigade - supported by 3rd Independent Armoured Squadron, equipped with M24 Chaffee light tanks was launched. Possessing vast numerical superiority, Pakistan troops were in position to decimate the Indian intrusion. But the Punjab Battalion, known for its long history of valor, dug in and poised themselves for a counterattack. Retaining the Infantry and the Recoilless rifles in a defensive position, the tanks were sent forward to ambush the oncoming Pakistani charge. In the next couple of hours Indian troops pounded the Pakistani attack who couldn't pinpoint the source of attacks due to poor visibility on account of fog. Undeterred, Pakistan tanks and infantry were thrown into an offensive against Indian defensive positions in a Frontal Assault.〔〔 The resulting battle is now famous as the Battle of Garibpur. Facing increasing casualties even with numerical superiority, as is usually the case when frontally attacking an entrenched enemy, and unable to dislodge the Mitro Bahini, the Pakistani Army called in artillery and close air support.〔〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=The Official War History of 1971 )〕 The Pakistani Air Force Contingent in Dhakka responded by launching several sorties of Canadair Sabre Mk6s beginning on the morning of 22 November 1971. This set the stage for the Battle of Boyra.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Battle of Boyra」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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