'KARGIL's VICTORY DAY'-A FARCE ON MARTYRDOM?

It was early morning of July 26 , 2009. Col RS was busy doing Swami Ram Dev's Yoga exercises. He has been doing this ever since he left the army in 2003. At about 6 AM, he got a call from his neighbor, Mr Ajit shukla, a defence accredited journalist with a TV News Channel.
Ajit Shukla, " Good Morning, sir. A very very happy VIJAY DIVAS"
Col RS: Sorry, VIJAY DIVAS is a FARCE. I don't celebrate it. Thank you, anyway.
Ajit: This is very interesting. Why don't you? After all it is to remember those brave soldiers who laId down their lives for the nation.
Col RS: What has the nation done for those over 589 soldiers who gave their lives?Just 153 gallantary medals for some lucky guys, whom media projected. That's all. What about the rest? All these 10 years, no one has bothered to even visit the poor widows of Kargil Martyrs. There is a political party which does not recognise the valour of soldiers in the Kargil-99. It says that Kargil was not their doing. So, its leaders say why must they recognise the valour of those fallen soldiers? How about those UNKNOWN soldiers who are missing since 1971? Wasn't the 1971 war the doing of this party? Does this party remember those who fell during a war unleashed by their party. So like bureaucracy even SOLDIERING IS ALSO SOUGHT TO BE 'COMMITTED'---i.e-- those who fought 'MY PARTY's' war and those who fought 'THEIR PART''s' war. The problem in my country is that the SOLDIER's ACTS OF BRAVERY HAVE BECOME A PING PONG GAME OF THE RULING ELITES. It is NOT an occasion to celebrate but CRY aloud for such whimsical thoughts.
Ajit : The posture of this political party is sad. I feel sorry that martyrdom is being politicalised.
Col RS: Politicized? It is being COMMERCIALIZED, too. They make movies and serials on these so called acts of bravery of soldiers. Crores of rupess are paid to actors who do the copy cat role of those gallant soldiers! Do they give a single paisa to the war-widows or the affected families? On the soldiers acts of dare-devilry, they fill their pockets. They promise so many things when the heat of the war is on---but they forget soon thereafter. Such celebrations are mere annual rituals for the political speeches----hollow statements by hollow men.
Ajit: Still it is an occasion to remember the good deeds of our soldiers, sir. I am sure you would do that.
Col RS: Yes, it is an occasion to remember our soldiers who gave their lives for the nation and I do it silently. I do NOT CELEBRATE but I ATONE THEIR DEATH FOR AN UNGRATEFUL NATION.
Ajit: There is a lot of rancor and venom in you. Is there a personal reason?
Col RS: When you command troops, their safety and welfare is always a personal reason, Ajit. Our units and sections are families. We do not 'manage' soldiers we 'lead' them. But you won't understand this?
Ajit: I would like to, if you kindly narrate the complete story.
Col RS: Yes, I will. Come over.
Ajit Shukla was there at Col RS place exactly at 9 AM. He was keen to listen to the story and then let it go on the air by his channel. He knew such controversies lead to an upward trend in the TRP ratings. He was sure going to do the story on this. And he did it. Ajit had aired the story exactly at prime time (9PM) on the same day. The story on the UNSUNG, UNHEARD & UNKNOWN HEROS of KARGIL was a hit with the viewers. It was filled with a lot of melodrama. Statements of some martyr's relatives were incorporated to narrate their tales of woe which included unfulfilled promises by the government and some NGO's too. It was a hour long story. On popular demand, it was repeated again at 11 PM the same night. Ajit had, as is the habit of journalists, dramatized the original story. But it still had some 50- 60 percent truth in it. Afterall even fiction is based on some real life incidents.
Col RS , when he heard this story on the ATTV, he was stunned. He knew he was taken up the garden path by his journalist neighbor. He had made it really very spicy. Col RS was being projected as a super Hero, which he detested. He was getting continuous calls from a lot of people for the facts mentioned in the News Channel story, which did not exist. He was aghast but he was the hero--so he had to accept unwanted felicitations he was getting from all and sundry. From an UNSUNG and UNHEARD persona nongrata, heretofore, he had become an instant hero exactly 10 years after the episode. He did not know whether to curse or thank Ajit Shukla. He went back into a flash back and his mind narrated to him the true story again.

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Officiating Commander, Col RS, collected his special team in his operational room for the very important mission. News of intrusion by Pakistan trained militants in Kargil had trickled into Army circles. In the beginning of May 1999, it was all a hush-hush affair in the army. Civilians had yet not got the real wind of it. Every commander in the valley thought that it would be a small affair and it could be ignored. Therefore,most commanders were waiting for the things to happen. But COL RS had planned a special mission to disrupt the NEELAM VALLEY ROAD opposite Keran sector. This road was the lifeline of Pakistan army in FCNA. He knew the importance of this mission. If executed successfully ,it could cut off the the supply route of intruders into Kargil. Also, he thought it could isolate the INTRUDERS in Kargil from their lines of maintenance and communications. To do so, it was very important to go across the LC and blow up the DUDHNIYAL Bridge on the Neelam River (Known as KISHAN GANGA RIVER in Indian parlance).
Intrusion in KARGIL allegedly by Pak sponsored militants had mixed impact on the commanders. Some dismissed it as an annual ritual by Pakistan. They all thought that it was a small intrusion, like the earlier ones at 'Guthur Forward' in Keren sector and 'Lunda' in the Gurej sector. It was normal with Pakistan to do this nibbling act at the end of every winter season. Unfortunately, army authorities had been keeping mum over these intrusions and accepting it on the quiet. This time, it was inferred that Pakistan had done it in Kargil. This segment of commanders thought that it was a small intrusion and the intruders could be thrown out in 48 hours, if their logistic supply was cut. Col RS had other plans.He had planned a special mission on his own. Some others thought it was time to teach a lesson to Pakistan. Col RS, officiating Commander, of an Infantry brigade on the LC, was one such radical hawk. His commander was on leave and he had got this opportunity.
It was in this context that Col RS had personally selected all the officers and men. There were 60 volunteers but he picked up only two officers, two Junior commissioned officers( JCOs) and 12 other ranks (ORs), which included some NCOs( Non Commissioned Officers) and sepoys. All of them were physically tough and mentally robust. They were known for their raw courage. All of them had displayed it in a number of operations they carried out against the militants. There was none amongst them without three to four 'Kills'.
Lt Rohtas Singh of 22 Sikh had the highest number of 'kills', some nine of them. He was a youngman of 23 years and passed out of IMA only in June1998. His team leader Major Vikram Singh 10 JAK RIF was another hard core expert on anti-terrorist operations. Once in a hand to hand fight with Afghan militants near ISMAIL DI DERI feature on the Shamshabari Range, he had bayoneted two Afghans, despite having been wounded in the right leg. Havaldar Suresh M Subramanayam of 27 MADRAS was another dare devil. He had once chased a group of militants for some two kilometers on the Shamshbari range---a high altitude area with heights above sea level being some 13-14000 feet.. He killed one and captured one alive. What to say of Subedar Bansi Lal of 4 JAT? He had led missions across the LC, a number of times and raided the militants hide outs in the village ATHMUQAM (Chak---in the Indian context).
Col RS, Officating Commander, had briefed his men thus: " Gentlemen! This might be your ONE WAY TICKET TO HEAVENS. Those of you, who are chicken-hearted, are welcome to pull out." He paused to see the response. There was a unanimous response by the team in a chorus, "NEVER MIND, SIR!"
Col RS briefed them of the task and connected issues. He explained to them that the demolition of 'Dudhniyal Bridge' will cut off the intruders from RATTU CANTT in the FCNA which was the launch pad for Pakistan's nibbling act on the LC after every winter. This had been happening since 1990. He had emphasized that his intentions were not only to isolate the intruders but to go beyond the LC to dominate this bridge so as to disrupt enemy's line of communications in the Gilgit, Hunza and Baltistan areas. Therefore everything depended on the success of their mission.
Major Vikram had made only one request, " God willing, we will carry out the task. Either we will all come out alive or we will all die. In the latter case , may I request you , sir, that our bodies must be retrieved and last rites performed as due to each one of us."
Col RS had said, " Vikram, this is NOT war---you can not die in enemy territory. You have to all come back, dead or alive, after you have completed the mission. May god be with you".
Vikram : Sir, I have not understood your point of this being NO WAR. When they can come into our territory and play havoc with our people, what prevents us from calling this as a war. To me, who is leading a team across the LC, it is a war, sir"
Col RS: Yes Vikram, to you and also to me it is WAR but people on top do not understand this This is why they have OFFICIALLY NOT given me the permission to carry out this task. I am to take my own initiative and act upon the counsel of my professional judgment. I have decided to act even if it is NO WAR. It is the risk I am taking.
Vikram: sir, it is fine as long as you approve of this. God willing we will carry out the task.
Col RS: Vikram, remember, you must bring back all the members of your team, whether dead or alive. No one to be left behind. Let me not see the past being repeated. I remember the KAYIAN BOWL incident of May 1972 when soldiers of 9 SIKH became prey to friendly gestures by Pakistan army which led to a major intrusion by them under our very nose. When it was detected 4 MAHAR was launched to eject them---and the battalion got butchered in a SILENT ATTACK by us because it was supposed to be NO WAR. Pakistan army had prepared for this over months---they had built up the strength to a battalion---where we thought was only a Company had intruded. I suspect a similar thing might erupt in KARGIL. But the bosses insist it is not to be an act of war because of peace talks initiated at Lahore on 20 February 1999. So your mission is a covert operation.
Vikram: In that case, I still request please retrieve our bodies , if we fail to come back. I do not want to be buried in some unknown place. I expect this favour.
Col RS: you don't have to request Vikram. This is my duty. I will do everything at my command to do you the honour.
With these words, Col RS had bid farewell to the team. They left for their start Point at Rang Dalu feature.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

It was 10 PM on May 6, 1999. The team left Rang Dalu base camp. Col RS was in communication with the team but he had asked it to maintain total radio silence, to be only broken on code word "NIHAYAT' in case of emergency faced by the team.
Team had made a good progress during the night. They had reached their selected base camp without much hassles. They were to lie doggo the whole day. The act of demolition was to be carried out around midnight 7/8 May 2009.
At 10 PM on May 7, the team was getting ready to go for the task, when a long column of some ponies was seen heading for their camp. The sentry had alerted them. The team quickly vacated the camp and withdrew some 100 meters to the left. The column of ponies was actually a group of some 35 armed men in civilian dress. They column halted at the same place. However leader of the group got suspicious. He started looking at the tell tale signs of the presence of vikram's team. It was clear to Vikram that they were some regular army men who were dressed as militants. He alerted his men to be ready for the fight. His team was well placed.
Vikram was right. The enemy soldiers had begun the search. The search teams of enemy were just 50 meters away from his place when Vikram asked his men to open fire. Thus the fire fight began. The ponies ran helter skelter. Vikram had seen some six to seven of the Pakistani group falling to ground. But he knew he would be outnumbered soon . Therefore, he asked his men to disengage and move back to Rang Dalu feature.
He had also broken radio silence and was in contact with Col RS. He told that three of his men were wounded and one from 7 MADRAS was killed. Lt Rohtas and Havaldar Suresh M subramaniyam were missing. He promised to bring them all back. Col RS asked him to abandon the mission and head straight back. He also promised him that a rescue team led by Major Rajpurohit of 10 JAK RIF would meet him below the Rang Dalu feature.
By 10 AM on May 8 2009, every one was in but for Lt Rohtas and Havaldar Suresh M Subramaniam. Major Vikram had brought about four AK-47 rifles which he had picked up from the dead Pakistani soldiers.. He had also brought one pony with them on which they had carried the dead body of Sep Ranjit singh of 10 JAK RIF. Col RS asked Major Rajpurohit to stay at Rangdalu and wait for the two some for another day. But nothing happened. There was no alternative and both were declared missing/ dead.
It was 8 AM in the morning on May 11, 2009 when a haggard local bakarwal reached the brigade headquarters and in formed them that two Indian army men lay exhausted near a Baihik below Rang Dalu .
A rescue team was rushed in. They were sure Lt Rohtas and Havaldar Subramaniyam. Both were wounded. But they were carrying with them a large number of explosives and seven AK 47 rifles which they had collected from the scene of engagement with the militants. Rohtas had also some diaries and written material in URDU.
It turned out they had come across a regular army group of Pakistan army which was headed for Gurej sector. In the guise of militants they were to occupy a vacant feature to dominate the road from Rajdhan Pass to Gurej. Rohtas also informed the officiating commander that in the fire fight some eight militants alias Pak soldiers were killed and rest ran away.
Col RS was not happy because his planned mission had failed but he knew it can happen in any situation. He got the satisfaction that he had thwarted a well planned mission of Pakistan Army---------though by default. He recommended Rohtas and Subramaniyam for Ashoka Chakra and Kirti chakra, respectively. He made recommendations for awards to others members of the team also.He was sure they would get it.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

15 August 1999. Gallantry awards were announced by the government of India for the WAR LIKE SITUATION in KARGIL. There were some 153 awards announced. There were FOUR PVC. There was none for the brigade of COL RS. To rub the salt on his wounds, he was given Northern Army Commander's Commendation Card for this operation which was never executed. He felt ashamed on taking credit for someone else's bravery. But he knew that it was very common amongst the senior officers to take the credit for the jobs done by their subordinates.
He was particularly touched when he met Maya Rani mother of the dead soldier Ranjit Singh. She was crying for her son because he was the sole bread earner of the family. She revealed to him that her husband had died in the 1971 war. She did not want all the money but her son back. Col RS felt guilty and responsible for this stupid operation which he had planned. The wailing mother made him think of the many mothers who lose their sons in such skirmishes. Is it worth to die like this and leave your near and dear ones high and dry? Mrs Maya Rani told him of the fake promises made to her by the Government and the army when her husband had died in the 1971 war. She was promised a petrol pump but was never given. She was clear that nothing would be given now also.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

10 January 2002. Col RS was deployed for Operation Prakaram in the Jammu sector. He remembered the case of late Sep Ranjit Singh of 10 Jak Rif and his mother Maya Rani. He knew the village was near MUTHI DAMANAA. He went in search of her. He inquired in the village. He was told that Maya Rani had got Rs 10 Lakhs from the government. Her brother came and took her away. She gave all the money to her brother and his sons. A year back she was thrown out by the nephews after the death of their father. Now she lived as a beggar near Raghunath Temple in Jammu town.
Col RS also saw a SEPOY RANJIT SINGH Statue errected in the village. He was told the statue was created by the district administration for Rs two lacs. But this was the money which was due to Maya Rani from J&K state government. He saw stray cattle relaxing next to the statue and some animal dung lying all around it.
Col RS was disgusted. He realized the falsehood attached with the gallantry awards and the lofty words spoken on these great days. He decided then and there to shed his olive green and never be fooled by the fake glory that goes along with it.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

This was the story he had given to Ajit Shukla. But Shukla had turned it into a Block Buster. He talked of the intelligence picture built by Col RS on the likely infiltration of a column of Pak army- --------selecting a team of dare devils to intervene and ambush this team of 35 hardcore trained soldiers with just 12 men---------personally monitoring the progress of the operation-----there was no mention of the real operation planned----------he further glamorized Rohtas and Subramaniyam's acts with lot of hand to hand fights with the militants and what not. ------Shukla had ended with questions: if the bravery of these men is to be left non-honoured? He had emotionally blackmailed people. Same thing happens on all the se so called BIGDAYS SUCH AS 'VIJAY DIVAS'---politicians and NETAS bemotionally blackmail people----they ask people to contribute monetarily ---while none of these rascals pays from their own pockets---not even 50 paisa---check records of their donations--------Col RS was feeling small----------after all truth is always a causality when glamor takes over. TV channel was interested in enhancing its TRP------Col RS was getting the KUDOS, uncomfortable but still accepting it ------ but what about that BEGGING OLD WOMAN MAYA RANI , near Raghunath Mandir ? Will she get the food tonight ? If so, then this will be her victory---her VIJAY DIVAS---rest all is a farce---whether the day is celebrated at DRAS or DELHI----Whether some UPA minister attends or some retired General talks big from the podium-----it is all meaningless nuances-----Nothing is going to change Maya Rani's plight? If you really want to change her plight: Go feed her at Raguhnath Temple---if you can find her---if she is NOT already dead.

© rajee kushwaha., all rights reserved.