Varuna Verma

Infinite Variety of Army Life Varuna Verma

Post-independence, senior officers of the Pakistan Army felt that the British had short-changed them by giving them a truncated country. They were the true inheritors of the Mughal Empire. This unfair partition could only be corrected by the use of force.

The President of Pakistan--General Yaqub Khan, who had recently overthrown the elected government through a military coup--held a meeting of senior officers.

Lieutenant General Izmat Khan, commander of the Pakistan Army Strike Corp, said, "Sir, with our superior Patton tanks, we can attack India like the German army blitzkrieg. With speed and surprise, we will run over their defences and capture Delhi." He boasted, "Sir, I promise you lunch in Amritsar and dinner in Delhi."

The Army Chief General Bismillah Khan, also chipped in, "Hans ke liya hai Pakistan, lada ke legen Hindustan." (Easily taken Pakistan. Will fight and take Hindustan.) A round of applause followed. President Yaqub Khan began daydreaming about ruling the subcontinent.

The President said, "This seems an opportune moment to launch a blitz and occupy North India. Speed and secrecy will be of the essence. I will give the time and axis of the attack at the last moment. Start preparing for Operation Blitzkrieg.