1/n Thread Operation Polo
Starting a thread today about the 'police action' by the Indian Armed Forces in Sept 1948. Will add tweets every day.
The Razakars are running riot in Hyderabad. Multiple skirmishes've already taken place between the Hyderabad Forces and the Indian Army.
2/n Thread Op Polo
12 September
The last in a series of telegrams between HE The Governor-General Chakravarti Rajagopalachari to HEH The Nizam is sent by the Gov-Gen.
3/n Thread Op Polo
“..Your govt has not been able to deal with either the Razakars or the Communists, whoever it may be that is causing trouble at a given place & time, and the Govt of India cant any longer be silent spectators, just maintaining a position at the border..”
4/n Thread Op Polo
12 September
At 1345hrs, a five-pronged thrust is initiated.
North-west – Through Aurangabad
West - On the Sholapur-Hyderabad axis
North-east – Through Adilabad
South – Through Kurnool & Gadag and Hospet
South-eastern - Through Vijayawada
5/n Thread Op Polo
12 September
Indian Forces are led by the Southern Army Commander Lt Gen Maharaj Rajendrasinhji. Maj Gen JN Chaudhuri is GOC 1 Armoured Division & Maj Gen Ajit Rudra is GOC Madras Area. The RIAF task force is led by AVM Subroto Mukerjee.
6/n Thread Op Polo
13 September
Army Cdr's spl order of the day
“..You will, in compliance with the instructions of our government, protect all law abiding persons irrespective of their religion, caste or creed.."
7/n Thread Op Polo
13 Sept
• The RIAF starts operations at first light.
• Air-fields and military installations pounded by aircraft.
• Leaflets containing proclamation of the Southern Army Commander dropped over important towns.
8/n Thread Op Polo
13 Sept
•In Aurangabad dist, considerable casualties on Hyd forces. 9 POWs taken.
•Kamergaon and Mamikgarh captured in Parbhani dist.
•Balharshah bridge captured in Adilabad dist. Stiff opposition from state forces in Siripuram.
9/n Thread Op Polo
13 Sept
• Bridges over Tungabhadra river at Kurnool captured.
• Tungabhadra rly stn & Hospet captured as well. Rly line Gadag-Hospet also secured.
• Maj opposition on the Sholapur-Hyderabad road at Naldurg. Town captured.
• Tuljapur captured at 1330 hrs.
10/n Thread Op Polo
14 Sept
•Tps advancing frm NorthEast captured Daulatabad after stiff resistance
•Tps frm north captured Jalna at 1330h
•Tps frm east encountered strg resistance in Suryapet
•Hospet counter-attacked twice, Both beaten off
•Osmanabad and Yermala captured
11/n Thread Op Polo
15 Sept
Indian Forces closing in.
• Humnabad captured on the Sholapur- Hyderabad road.
• Aurangabad captured in the early hours.
• Suryapet and Khammam taken over after strong resistance.
• Another counter-attack at Hospet. Attack beaten off again.
12/n Thread Op Polo
16 September
Indian forces now 90 km from Secunderabad.
• On the Sholapur-Hyderabad road, Zahirabad captured at 1300 hrs.
• Munirabad railway station cleared.
• RIAF continues to carry out sorties, also drops leaflets.
13/n Thread Op Polo
17 September
Indian Forces just outside Hyderabad.
Lt Gen Maharaj Rajendrasinhji’s sends a message to Maj Gen Syed Ahmed El-Edroos, commander of the Hyderabad State Forces demanding a surrender.
14/n Thread Op Polo
17 Sept
“…My forces are now situated so that they can enter Hyderabad at will from several directions. I, therefore, demand of you, in the interest of humanity and to save unnecessary and useless loss of life, to lay down your arms."
15/n Thread Op Polo
17 September
HEH The Nizam sends a message to India’s Agent-General KM Munshi
"Will you see me at King Kothi Palace at 4PM?"
• At 1700 hrs, HEH The Nizam orders a “ceasefire” and the Hyderabad State Forces carry out his order.
The 'police action' is over!
16/n Thread Op Polo
18 September
THE SURRENDER!
Indian Troops have entered Secunderabad.
At 1630 hrs, On the outskirts of the city, a jeep moves past the long column of tanks and vehicles. The jeep is flying the flag of GOC 1 Armoured Division - Maj Gen JN Chaudhuri.
17/n Thread Op Polo
18 September
Maj Gen JN Chaudhuri alights.
A Buick staff car approaches from the opposite direction. Maj Gen Syed Ahmed El-Edroos, C-in-C Hyderabad State Forces alights.
The Generals walk towards each other and salute. Both tall men, they're old acquaintances.
18/n Thread Op Polo
18 September
THE SURRENDER!
"On behalf of Gen Rajendrasinhji, I'm to ask you for the surrender of the Hyderabad Army.”
"I give you the surrender of the Hyderabad Army.”
19/n Thread Op Polo
18 September
“Well. Muchoo, we meet again, but under different circumstances.” (Muchoo is Gen Chaudhuri’s nickname)
“Well, business is business. You'll be responsible for law&order until my tps take over. In the meantime, let's discuss details of billeting.”
20/n Thread Op Polo
18 September
After this simple surrender ceremony on the outskirts of Secunderabad, Gen Chaudhuri pulls out a cigarette and offers it to Gen El-Eldroos. The generals have a smoke and drive to the residence of the Indian Agent-General Dr KM Munshi.
21/n Thread Op Polo
18 September
The crowds cheer the entry of the Indian forces. The tanks of 1 Armoured Division move to important points in the city.
Later Gen JN Chaudhuri is appointed Military Governor of Hyderabad.
22/22 Thread Op Polo
18 September
The Indian Armed Forces come in for praise for executing a short 5-day 'police action' and liberating Hyderabad.
Congratulations pour in from the Governor-General, Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister who is also the Minister for States.
Thread on #OperationPolo
#HyderabadLiberationDay #hyderabad1948 #Hyderabad #MilitaryHistory #IndianArmy #IndianAirForce #Nizam #Razakars
Thread on #OperationPolo
@DefenceMinIndia @adgpi @indiannavy @IAF_MCC @IaSouthern @dprohyd @rajeev_mp @Vedmalik1 @joybhattacharj @srikantkesnur @TheBrownBeagle @rhinohistorian @atahasnain53 @Skoybster @ShivAroor @Leopard212
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