Skinner’s Horse moved to Punjab theatre on October 16, 1971 as a part of 2(I) Armoured Brigade which was placed under HQ 39 Infantry Division. The regiment moved into Randwal village, approximately 12 kms sout-east of Samba, at 11.52 pm on December 5. The regiment left for Chhaliyari village, approximately 10 kms south of Randwal, at 1.30 pm on December 7. ‘A’ Squadron was sent forward to dominate Harar Kalan.

One Dogra supported by ‘A’ Squadron launched an attack on Harar Kalan on December 8. Due to heavy resistance and well-coordinated defensive positions, the attack did not succeed. On the same day, the regiment was ordered to turn the flank of the enemy at Harar Kalan, Harar Khurd and Munian by breaching a lane in the defensive minefield at Shahbazpur. There were two routes to Shahbazpur. ‘B’ Squadron tried to make headway through the indirect route via Bhopalpur Majla. ‘C’ Squadron finally pushed through the other route and contacted the minefield at 4.25 am. A tank versus tank engagement took place in which three enemy tanks were destroyed.

A minefield lane was created and a troop of ‘C’ Squadron was pushed through. Due to poor visibility, the tanks strayed and blew up their tracks. While the tanks were moving into the minefield lane, the regiment shot down three more enemy tanks. The enemy withdrew from this location at night. The villages of Khaira and Shahbazpur were cleared. The next day, the regiment consolidated its position.

On December 10, at 8.40 am, 15 Grenadiers reported that Harar Khurd was unoccupied. ‘A’ Squadron destroyed three enemy tanks. The squadron relentlessly pressed onto the home side of the defensive minefield resulting in the clearance of Harar Khurd and Harar Kalan. Harar Kalan was finally captured by dusk on December 10.