Selected Stories of Gallant Indian Soldiers

By J Francis

The book contains events and event-makers of Indian Army during the last 72 years. The Book also recounts the stories of the brave hearts who were involved in peace-time conflict and outstanding men and women who participated in sports and adventure activities that have brought name and fame to India. It provides a synopsis of events, which will help those who desire to comprehend the evolution and growth of the Indian Army.

• Language: English
• Publisher: VIJ Books (India) Pty Ltd
• Release date: Oct 2, 2019
• ISBN: 9789388161855

J Francis

Col J Francis (Retd) is a retired Infantry officer from the Indian Army. During his service besides regimental and staff jobs, he was instructor at the Indian Military Academy, Junior Leaders Wing, Infantry School and Defence Services Staff College Wellington. This is his third book on Indian Military History.

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INTRODUCTION

The Indian Army came into being on 15th August 1947 after the British Indian Army was proportionately divided between India and Pakistan. Even before the Indian Army could be restructured to meet the future security needs of independent India, it was called upon to perform the challenging task of providing security to refugees moving in both directions from India and Pakistan. While the Indian Army had its hands full dealing with the tragedy of partition, Pakistan Army, along with local militia and tribesmen from Northwest Provinces, attacked the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) in October 1947. This was a violation of the Standstill Agreement signed between the Maharaja of J&K and Pakistan in June 1947. The Pakistanis captured border towns of Muzaffarabad and Uri by 24 October. The Punch Tract faced a similar situation. The J&K State Army was too small to handle the adverse situation created by the Pakistani attack.

To prevent further advance into Srinagar Valley and the capture of Srinagar by Pakistan, the Maharaja decided to merge the Princely State of J&K with India. Accordingly, an Instrument of Accession was signed on 26 October 1947 by the Maharaja of J&K. This was accepted by the Governor General of India, Lord Mountbatten. The next day, one of the Indian Army Infantry Battalions, 1 SIKH landed at the Srinagar Airport. They were tasked to protect Srinagar city and Airport against the Raiders led by elements of Pakistani Army. By 27 October 1947, the Raiders had advanced further and reached Baramulla after overcoming the opposition offered by the J&K Troops operating under the command of Brigadier Rajinder Singh. The Raiders did not advance further from Baramulla. Instead, they indulged in pillaging the town rather than continuing their advance towards Srinagar (which was their main objective). This gave enough time to Indian Army Units to land without any hindrance from the Raiders.

The commanding officer of the first infantry battalion that landed in Srinagar on 27 October decided to advance towards Baramulla in order to seek out the enemy and prevent them from advancing towards Srinagar. This bold offensive action taken by the commanding officer paid rich dividends in saving Srinagar. Meanwhile, the Raiders after satisfying their greed recommenced their advance towards Srinagar city and the airfield three days later than their planned schedule. Those crucial three combined with the delay imposed by the Indian Army gave enough time to the Indian Army to land more than a brigade-worth of troops at the Srinagar Airfield. The Baramulla-Srinagar Road was guarded and its use was denied to the Raiders. Their approaches to the airfield were dominated by strong protective patrols. A large-scale attack on one of those patrols at Badgam on the way to the airfield by the Raiders was repulsed with a heavy casualty on both sides. This tenacious holding-up at Badgam denied the infiltrators their intended interference to the air landing operations which progressed smoothly at the airfield(the center of gravity of this operation).

Srinagar was saved after a decisive battle at Shalateng at the outskirts of the City. The infiltrators were caught between the deadly onslaught of armoured cars and infantry attacks on the ground and air attacks. The Raiders suffered heavy losses and withdrew leaving behind their casualties and vehicles. With that, the Raiders lost their capability and will to capture Srinagar. Once this was achieved, the Indian Army diverted its attention to secure Punch, Naushera and Ladakh. Many gallant officers and men had laid down their life. They were suitably decorated with newly instituted Indian Armed Forces bravely awards. A few young men had achieved results which were considered impossible until then. It took more than a year before vital areas of the Kashmir Valley, Poonch Tract and Ladakh could be reoccupied; albeit not fully. For a newly born Indian Army, it was a long war. At the end of this war, part of the erstwhile Princely State of J&K remained occupied by Pakistan. The boundary between India and Pakistani Occupied Kashmir (POK) was named as the Cease Fire Line (CFL).

1962 Chinese Aggression

The cause of 1962 Chinese Aggression was one of territorial dispute. The Indo-Chinese border was (and is) not clearly demarcated due to the ambivalent attitude of the Chinese Government. India’s perception of the borderline differs from that of Chinese. Annexation (merger) of Tibet by the Chinese made the border disputes more complicated. Various border treaties signed between the governments of British India and China were ambiguous. Cartographic maps were nonexistent. There were many lines to indicate the border such as Johnson Line, McCartney MacDonald Line and McMahan Line. None of them were (and are) marked properly on the ground. China’s Claim Line in North East Frontier Agency (NEFA; now renamed as Arunachal Pradesh) differs from that of India. The area between the Indian and Chinese Claim Lines, mainly Thagla Ridge, was a disputed area in NEFA. In Ladakh, Chinese claimed the whole of Aksai Chin to be theirs. In a nutshell, a complicated territorial dispute existed (and still exists) between India and China. Political negotiations did not succeed. This set the stage for Chinese Aggression in 1962.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) crossed the traditional Indo-Chinese Border and advanced along three major thrust lines simultaneously during September/October 1962. The Western thrust was directed towards Daulat Beg Oldi and Chushul in the eastern Ladakh. Thag La/ Bum La to Bomdila via Namka Chu – Tawang – Se La – was the Central thrust. The Eastern Thrust was from Kibithoo towards Walong in the Eastern Arunachal Pradesh close to Indo-Burmese (Myanmar) Border.

The lack of preparedness on the part of Indian Army for the role assigned to them and the numerical superiority of the PLA, both in Ladakh and NEFA resulted in an overwhelming defeat to the Indian side. Notwithstanding the rout that the Indian Army suffered in the end, nowhere was an Indian soldier was found wanting in terms of motivation, dedication or bravery while facing the aggressor. The Chinese aggression on India in 1962 was a major drain on the Indian economy. Further, it compelled India to change her foreign policy and modernize and augment her armed forces subsequently.

Indo-Pak Wars (1965 and 1971)

After having failed in their first attempt to annex J&K, Pakistan continued to nurture the hope to occupy J&K. With India’s defeat in the hands of China in 1962 and the modernization of Pakistani Armed Forces with the help of SEATO/CENTO Alliances, Pakistan decided to make the second attempt to annex the entire J&K in 1965. As part of their strategic deception, Pakistan initiated the firefight in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. In this attack, Pakistan used weapons received through their membership with SEATO/CENTO; the original purpose of which was to use such weapons against communist forces. After a few skirmishes between the Indian Army and Pakistani Forces, a ceasefire was enforced with the intervention of the international community. In the subsequent negotiations, Pakistan was given 10 percent of their claimed area in the greater Rann of Kutch.

In August 1965, Pakistani Army regulars in the guise of militia crossed the porous border into J&K with a view to foment an uprising against the government. They did not succeed. The timely counter-measures undertaken by the Indian Army resulted in the capture of vital Pakistani territory including the Haji Pir Pass in POK and posed threat to the interior Pakistani towns. To avoid any further embarrassment, Pakistani Army attacked Chamb in Akhnoor Sector. To counter this, Indian Army crossed the International Border (IB) and threatened Lahore. This forced Pakistan Army to withdraw from Akhnoor Sector. Similar attempts were also made in Rajasthan Sector. This short war ended in victory for India who fought a successful defensive war and humiliation for Pakistan with the loss of their superior modern weapons and vast territory.

In 1971, millions of Bengalis crossed over the East Pakistan border into India to seek refuge from the atrocities committed on them by the Pakistani Army during their freedom struggle. This created an emergency in the Indian States surrounding East Pakistan. In addition, the Pakistani Army carried out raids across the border while the Pakistani Air Force crossed the air space and engaged in hostile activities inside India. In the West, Pakistan launched air attacks on many of Indian airfields located close to the Border.

To overcome this crisis, Indian Armed Forces, which was already assisting the Bengalis in their effort to win freedom, was directed to liberate East Pakistan while simultaneously containing the Pakistan Army in the West. Unlike the previous wars, India meticulously planned and prepared for this war. The war began on 3 December 1971 by Pakistan with the air attack on the forward airfields on Punjab. In the East, Indian Army, duly supported by the Air Force, crossed the border from three directions, bypassing major opposition en route and converged on Dacca. The war finally ended on 16 December with the surrender of Pakistan Army with approximately 93,000 prisoners of war. The people of East Pakistan were liberated and Bangladesh was born. In the West, Pakistan’s attempt to capture Indian Territory and draw out the Indian resources from the east failed. There were many fierce battles fought at Chamb, Basantar, Shakargarh, Sialkot and Longewala. In Ladakh, the brave Major Rinchen MVC and his men undertook offensive operations at an altitude beyond 18,000 ft and captured more than 800 sq Kms of territory including Turtuk. In all, the Indian Armed Forces came out victorious in 1971.

Since 1971, two military actions of significance have taken place. Pakistan’s attempt to annex Siachen in 1984 was thwarted by occupying the Saltoro Ridge just in time. In 1999, Pakistan’s fourth attempt to disrupt the road link between Srinagar and Leh at Kargil by surreptitiously occupying Indian Posts during the winter was defeated after a two-month battle.

Besides the events and event-makers of Indian Army during the last 72 years, this Book also contains the stories of the brave hearts who were involved in peace-time conflict and outstanding men and women who participated in sports and adventure activities that have brought name and fame to India. It provides a synopsis of events, which will help those who desire to comprehend the evolution and growth of the Indian Army. This book would have served its purpose if it becomes a source material to readers who want to tell ‘military stories’ to their children and grandchildren.

JAI HIND

INDIAN BORDER AREAS

India has 15,000-kilometre-long border with six countries. They are named differently according to the status of the boundary line. The borders with Pakistan, Bangla Desh, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan are known as International Border (IB). The Indian border with China and Pakistani Occupied Kashmir (POK) is contentious. The India-China border is known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and the boundary between India and POK is known as the Line of Control (LOC) and Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL). These borders pass through variety of geographical terrains such as cultivable plains, desert, riverine, jungles, mountains, high altitude mountains and glaciers.

Border with India’s Neighbours

India’s land border with Pakistan starts from Sir Creek in Gujarat. From there it passes through the Rann of Kutch. This area is very hot and humid during the summer. Heavy seasonal rains convert this area into a huge lake and impede cross-country mobility. Roads/tracks are few and prone to damage during the rains. There is acute shortage of drinking water. Bhuj is an important town close to the IB. From here the border enters Rajasthan and passes through Thar Desert characterised by permanent and shifting sand dunes and very few identifiable landmarks. Here too, there is an acute shortage of water. The weather is extreme; scorching hot summers and bitter cold winters.

The open nature of the desert terrain offers good visibility during clear weather. However, frequent sandstorms impact both men and materials. In the desert, roads, road junctions, towns/cities and water sources are important from the military operations point of view. Tracked vehicles can move cross-country in gaps between the sand dunes. Plain areas with rocky outcrops offer good cross-country mobility. Administrative capability to support the military operations largely determines the objectives of offensive operations in these deserts. Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Sriganganagar are a few important towns located close to the border in Rajasthan.

The northern part of Rajasthan (semi-desert) and the fertile plains of Punjab have most of the amenities required for the human habitat. The border areas up to the low hills of Jammu are more or less similar to the plains of Punjab. Large and small rivers, cities/towns and means of communication influence the military operations on both sides of the border. In this area, good all-weather road and rail networks exist. Important towns and cities which are located close to the border are Fazilka, Ferozpur, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Jammu.

The IB in the west with Pakistan ends at the beds of river Munawar Tawi west of Akhnoor. From there the mutually agreed LOC runs towards north into J&K. LOC is not physically marked on the ground (but both sides know the alignment). Therefore, frequent trans-border incursions take place; sometime inadvertently. Akhnoor, Naushera, Rajauri and Poonch are the towns located close to the LOC in Poonch Tract west of Pir Panchal Ranges.

The terrain here is mostly hilly covered with trees and marked with thick undergrowth in a few places. The closed and broken nature of the terrain makes the border porous. Therefore, it is possible for both sides to cross the LOC unobtrusively. Army and Border Security Forces (BSF) personnel have established posts that dominate the border areas by observation from the elevated posts/towers. They patrol the LOC frequently.

The absence of protection from the severe climatic and terrain conditions and lack of reasonable amenities such as running water and electricity in these areas make living conditions frugal. Hilly terrain with deep gorges mostly in north-south direction, covered with forest make movement on foot hard and tiring for troops moving in east-west direction. Most Indian military posts are connected with fair-weather roads which are used for the military operations and logistic support. Conditions between Poonch and Uri border areas are more or less similar with varying degree of difficulties. Uri and Baramulla are two important towns close to the border in this area.

From Uri onwards, the LOC runs along Kishanganga River touching Tithwal, Keren, Kanzalwan and Gurez. Altitude of these mountain ranges varies from 6,000-9,000 ft above the sea level. Coniferous forests are found at lower altitude in the valleys. Extreme cold weather conditions with heavy snowfall makes life difficult for troops who are deployed here during winter. Summer months are pleasant. The terrain restricts large-scale military operations. Movement on foot with additional loads of specialised clothing’s and equipment is slow and tiring. At higher altitudes, oxygen is scarce and efficiency of men and machine go down considerably. Materials have to be transported to higher reaches by animals and porters. Troops have to travel long distances on foot before they can be transported by vehicles from the road-heads to the rear areas.

Due to the nature of terrain and weather conditions in this sector, the LOC can be crossed by determined small groups taking advantage of poor visibility, folds and undulations in the ground and by avoiding the vigilant military posts. However, during winters, due to heavy snow fall and accumulated snow, cross-border movement is extremely difficult. Troops on both sides occupy border posts in these areas throughout the year and have to live off stocks brought in during the summer and held within the posts.

From Gurez onwards and up to the bases of the Siachen Glacier, the LOC runs in east-west direction. It passes through north of Dras, Kargil, Batalik and west of Turtuk. The altitude along the LOC varies from 9,000-15,000 ft above sea level. Living conditions here vastly differ from the mountainous areas at lower altitude.

During winters, temperatures drop to below minus 50 degrees Celsius. Snowfall touches up to 20 ft and wind velocity can increase to 150 km per hour. These factors combined with rarefied atmosphere at high altitude make living extremely difficult. Scarcity of oxygen has adverse effect on the health and efficiency of men, machine and animals. Men and animals suffer from acute mountain sickness caused by the high-altitude effects. Low temperatures also distort characteristics of metals making machines less efficient.

Water filled in tumblers or stored in buckets freeze. Fresh oranges freeze and become hard like cricket balls. The human sweat freezes inside the socks and under-garments and cause chilblains. It is difficult to cut even a potato so they are usually boiled and cut or broken with hammer before cooking. Toothpaste freezes inside the tube. Bathing, shaving and answering the call of nature can be tiresome. Fast wind and cold weather cause cracks on exposed skin. These conditions reduce appetite and have depressing effects on human beings. Physical movement is slow and tiring. At times after every 100 yards of walking, one has to rest to regain the breath. In a nutshell, the high-altitude effects cause many human maladies. It is common to find men exposed to these adverse conditions suffering from snow blindness, frost bite, chilblain and pulmonary oedema.

The high altitude also reduces the load carrying capacity of men, animals, aircraft and vehicles. Fuel consumption of internal combustion engine increases. Diesel and lubricants freeze at low temperature. In extreme cold, moving parts of weapons get arrested. Bullets and projectiles travel erratically to much longer distances.

It is impossible to live in the glacier areas with complete protection from the effects of high altitude. To a large extent these effects are at best managed by a systematic and gradual induction/de-induction of troops and by providing specialised clothing and equipment to them. Most of all, men need to be motivated fora higher level of tolerance and patriotism.

Men are put through acclimatisation programme at various altitudes to enable their body to get used to living with available (reduced) oxygen. They are provided with windproof living shelters heated with oil fed burners (bukharis). Their special ration is of higher caloric value and likeable taste. As far as possible, fresh vegetable and meat are air-dropped when weather conditions permit. Men are rotated frequently in their duties. Their medical emergencies are attended to by comrades under the distant advice of a doctor where a medical officer is not readily available. Medical officers visit the forward posts periodically to carry out health check-up. To prevent cold arrest, the weapon of an exposed guard standing on duty is changed frequently with heated weapons. All these tasks require very large number of supporting