War broke out on the Eastern Front Border of West Pakistan as it was known as such since its birth in 1947.East Pakistan was a thousand miles away with Indian land in between.Travelling from West to East was either by air or by sea.This gap affected the relationships on both sides and then the enemy is always ready to grab a chance.
It was late September or early October in 1971 This was the second time the conflict escalated. The previous clash in 1965 saw me in college but this time I was a young mother with a two month old baby. Returning by road in a driver driven car our destination was the city of Lahore. Home duty and responsibility forced me to travel. With a baby in my lap accompanied by my young brother in law we bravely drove on. When we reached near the city, the main bridge on the River Ravi was under attack. I heard air raid sirens the sound of jets and the strafing of bullets. We stopped right there on the roadside the place is known as Shahdara also famous for the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Jehangir. I looked out, sat numb,not knowing what to do, held the baby tight, I noticed that the area had lots of palm trees on the side we had stopped...my brother quickly helped me out of the vehicle and we managed to take cover against the closest of trees.Sound of firing kept coming, then a few seconds later two big blasts sounded with loud booming effects.As quickly as they came, the planes were chased away by our air defense forces. A few more minutes and the 'All Clear'' sirens blared. Slowly the traffic began moving. We continued our journey and soon reached home safely across the bridge which remained undamaged. A terrifying experience.
Many soldiers sacrificed their lives for the country.
who die for country
martyrs in honor, alive
heaven's angels all
Photograph of Shahdara Bagh in the Mughal Rule Era in Indo Pak Subcontinent.
https://defence.pk/pdf/threads/lahore-old-pictures.160223/
6 comments:
A harrowing memory, brought to life with such exquisite skill! Truly, a testament to memorial! Thank you for joining us! 😀
Thank you Mr Frank I feel honored and so encouraged.
Thank you for sharing your memories and so glad you and your loved ones made it through ok.
This direct memory of war is such a contrast to other poems I have read.... what an experience it must have been, and such a blessing to be safe.
Thank you for sharing your very personal experience with the horrors of war. So glad you are safe. Blessings.
Thank you ms_lili, Mr brudberg, ms indybev for visiting and expressing kind thoughts
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