” It snows heavily in Kargil during the months of November, December and January…”
" It snows heavily in Kargil during the months of November, December and January. It becomes absolutely uninhabitable. During these months we used to come down to slightly lower altitudes and wait for the freezing weather to pass. Before we could even enjoy the slightest comfort, it would already be March and we were again required to man the higher posts. We never flinched. No one had to tell us twice, no one had to convince us. We did it, because we wanted to, because the country needed us to. During the winter of 98', the enemy forces took advantage of this and captured all peaks on our side. These were crucial peaks overlooking very important areas. They set up their guns and mortars and made themselves comfortable. After the snowfall ended during April- May, when we were on our way to our higher posts, we came under heavy fire. We were taken by surprise. We took heavy casualties, but there was no time to feel sad. We quickly got to know that the enemy had captured our posts during the winter months, and was mercilessly firing. I was in the artillery, we quickly surrounded Tiger Hill and started bombarding it rounds from Bofor guns. We demolished their supply route. After a point they had no ammunition left. We were successful in capturing the peak."
Q. Did you feel even a little scared during the firing?
"Absolutely not. That time was not for fear but for action. During one particular round of firing, we lost 26 men, but we did not stop. We continued firing heavily. After a point we did not count how much we were firing, it was countless."
Served the Country for : 20 Years
“Whatever you do, you should do it with a full heart. I loved vehicles and everything about them fascinated me….
"Whatever you do, you should do it with a full heart. I loved vehicles and everything about them fascinated me. I also had a deep-rooted desire to join the army, so I combined these two things and joined the EME regiment in the Army.
Army has a sort of wall around it. When you join, you are about 22 years old, too young for this big a responsibility. You don’t understand the world outside the force. Who’s good? Who’s bad? Our entire lives revolve around a code. The length of hair, uniform, the way we walk and talk, everything is common to everyone. We get so used to order and discipline that it becomes extremely tough to adjust outside after you retire. The outside world is not uniform, it’s not ordered. It’s chaotic. It takes a huge amount of effort to adjust in this world.
Although I’m out now, if the Country needs me at any time, I’ll be there, at the drop of a hat."
Served the Country for 22 years