Battle of Thorgo

Battle of Thorgo
Part of Kashmir conflict and the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948
Map of localities around Skardu region
Date 16–18 March 1948[1] Location Thorgo near Skardu, Pakistan 35°18′04″N 75°44′40″E / 35.3010°N 75.74434°E / 35.3010; 75.74434 Result Ambush successful[2] Relief column defeated[3] Remaining forces retreat[2]
Belligerents
Dominion of Pakistan	Dominion of India Jammu and Kashmir[a]
Commanders and leaders
Maj.Ehsan Ali Lieu.Babar Capt.Nek Alam	Faqir Singh (WIA)[4] Major.Coutts
Units involved
Gilgit Scouts Ibex Force Local Volunteers	6 J&K Infantry Biscuit Column
Strength
~3 Platoons,[5] Approximately (100-300)	~1 company (350 men)[5] Accompanied by: ~600 Jawans,400 Porters,200 horses[5]
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Pakistani Sources: 150 killed, 75000 rounds of 303 ammo, (2-3) Mortar, rifles, Sten-guns, MMG's[6] Indian Sources: 26 killed, 7 missing presumed killed, 18 wounded, 27 rifles, 5 Sten guns, 2 VB Machine guns, 64000 rounds of rifle ammunition, 84 Hand grenades, 51 HE bombs of 2-mch mortar, 204 HE bombs of 3-mch mortar.[7]

The Battle of Thorgo (also known as the Thorgo Incident^[b] or Nurbachung ambush,^[8] also spelled as Thurgo^[9] or Thergo,^[10]) was a military engagement during the Indo-Pakistani war of 1947–1948 in the Gilgit-Baltistan sector of northern Kashmir administered by Pakistan.^[11] The battle took place from March 16 to March 18, 1948. The Gilgit Scouts, a paramilitary force from northern Pakistan fought against the Jammu and Kashmir state forces. The Gilgit Scouts were informed of a relief column dispatched from Indian headquarters at Srinagar to reinforce the besieged Skardu garrison of the Jammu and Kashmir state forces.^[12] The Scouts established an ambush at Thorgo Pari between Gol and Skardu.^[c][5] When the relief column arrived, the Scouts launched their attack, hurling large rocks, resulting in heavy casualties including the wounding of Brigadier Faqir Singh.^[13]

The remnants of the defeated relief column retreated to Kargil under Major Coutts, while the wounded Brigadier Faqir Singh was evacuated to the headquarters at Srinagar.^[14] Following the defeat of the Indian relief column near Gol, the Gilgit Scouts intensified their efforts against the Skardu garrison.^[15] Major Ehsan was informed that additional Indian reinforcements codenamed "Z Brigade", were being assembled at Kargil under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Kripal Singh. In response, Major Ehsan split his forces, sending a contingent to Parkutta to intercept the new reinforcements.^[16]

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