Pakistan, Sept. 6 -- It is nearing midnight September 9, (1965), location Chawinda, a village near Sialkot. Indian and Pakistani forces are locked in the biggest post-World War IITank battle. I am perching on a stool before a Battle Map, in my bunker, browsing over the ongoing battle situation, when I received a message from my Commanding Officer, Lt Colonel Mohammad Aminthrough Dispatch Rider, Sepoy Payo Jaan. The message, inter alia, reads:- "Captain Bokhari! GHQ has instructed us to rush up to Islamabad, one captured Indian tank. The tank must reach Gujranwala Railway as soon as possible, for onward journey by rail to the Capital."

A thought flashed across my mind, that the government must have come up with the idea of displaying an I...