The operation was launched on 29 November 1981 and lasted more than a week. The Iranians used
human wave attacks in their offensive for the first time in the war. Around 13,000 Iranian troops fought in the operation, more than half of which were IRGC forces. During the operation, Iran lost 6,000 troops, more than twice as many men as the Iraqis (2,500). However, the attrition rate was in Iran's favor, as it was able to eliminate an important supply route. This was critical because Iraq did not have enough soldiers for a long front line. After almost 36 hours, the Iranian troops retook Bostan and repelled the Iraqi forces away towards the west by several kilometers.
Iranian attack On the evening of 28 November, as it became dark, intelligence forces used lanterns to mark the newly constructed road through Chazabeh strait. Five minutes after midnight on 29 November, the commanders announced "Ya
Hossein" ("O Hossein !"), signaling the start of the operation. The attack was carried out via two columns, one on the north axis and one on the south. In the north, the Iranian troops reached Iraq's artillery unit before they woke up, and after an intense fight the Iranian side won the battle. In the south, Iraqi troops were higher in numbers, making the fight more difficult for the Iranians. Hence, some of the north forces were dispatched to south. Bostan was liberated on the morning of 29 November and the news was sent to Tehran, marking the first news about the liberation of a city during the Iran-Iraq war. Iraqi forces had not expected an attack due to the poor conditions.
Iraqi counterattack Iraqi forces conducted a counterattack in the south. After three days of fighting, the counterattack was defeated by the Iranians. On 6 November, Iranian forces were surprised by Iraqi commandos trying to cross the
Saboleh bridge. Seven Iraqi tanks passed over the bridge, threatening Bostan. The two sides exchanged fire and the Iraqi tanks were captured by Iran, leading to an Iraqi retreat. ==Order of battle==