BATTLE OF TIGER HILL- A FLASHBACK OF A VETERAN!!!
The Grenadiers: Sarvada Shakti Shali (Ever Powerful)
-BG
The torrential rain was pouring nonstop from the heavens with no mercy for the last few days. The atmosphere was so somber and grave. The rainwater gushing and pushing its way around the ground taking a good share of the soil and whatsoever it could push by ......... Standing on the veranda of the old house leaning on to the thick wooden pillar - Unnimama was staring into the distant nowhere through the rain.
The wind suddenly got strong and changed the direction of the rainfall, sending sprays of water on to the veranda. Unnimama was startled and moved back – slipped and fell. In the process pushed the steel chairs and the stool with the steel tea tumbler - sending it flying and creating a commotion. Vishalamayi shouted, "What is it now?". She came rushing from the kitchen. Unnimama was sheepishly getting up with a silly but innocent childish grin "Onnumilliya Vishalam".
And then the usual torrential study class – “Why do not you be careful? You still think you are youth 24! I am fed up with you. What do I do with you? Why do not you be quiet and sit somewhere? are you not too old for such behaviour?” “can’t you be a bit careful@ if something happens at this age – imagine your plight “And at the end came the usual "Are you OK? Have you hurt yourself? “
Unnimama rubbed his left elbow and said, "I am OK." but Vishal Ammayi started her inspection. The way Karunakaran Chathu inspects a bull in the market: a rub here, a nudge there, and a walk all around. And then put the chairs and the stools in place, picked up the tumbler and walked away still eyeing Unnimama, with a deep “uhmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm”
He slowly sank into the easy chair, with a sign saying “vishalam paava”. Been with him for A faint smile broke out on his lips – his mind rushed to Kargil valley, the smell and feel of war. We infantryman often goes through hell and fire. But if we can get on to the objective with “arms slung” is when the gunners have done their best. And this is what the Gunners at Kargil were almost able to achieve, once their battle drills and technical innovations had been perfected.
“OPERATION VIJAY”. On July 3 at 2030 hours 1999, direct firing on Tiger Hill commenced despite sporadic shelling by Pakistani guns. The booming of the Bofor Guns that could fire three rounds in 12 seconds. Its ability to target enemy posts operating literally from under the nose of Pakistani soldiers, who were occupying the mountain slopes.
Then the firing was followed by the artillery, till the gallant infantrymen of 18 Grenadier which I proudly belong said, “stop firing.
The Grenadiers is an infantry regiment of the Indian Army, formerly part of the Bombay Army and later the pre-independence British Indian Army, when the regiment was known as the 4th Bombay Grenadiers. It has distinguished itself during the two world wars and also, since the Independence of India. The regiment has won many battle honours and gallantry awards, and is considered to be one of India's most decorated regiments with three Param Vir Chakra awardees in three different conflicts. The Governor General of Bombay made an Order dated 12 November 1779, according to which the grenadier companies of the following regiments combined to form the very first Grenadier Regiment in the world, namely "The Grenadier Battalion, First Regiment of Infantry":
1st Sepoy Battalion
2nd Sepoy Battalion
3rd Sepoy Battalion
4th Sepoy Battalion
5th Sepoy Battalion
6th Sepoy Battalion
Marine Battalion (two companies of grenadiers)
We have closed in on the enemy at the Top. It is worth mentioning the remarkable courage and innovation by 8 Mountain Artillery Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Lakhwinder Singh. The cowardly Pakistani force ceasefire agreement was signed in 2003.
Then came the aftermath of the war, the VIR CHAKRA for exemplary bravery. VIR CHAKRA. The Vir Chakra is awarded for acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land or at sea or in the air. He said to himself “Why, me a Vir Chakra decorated soldier- I never fell of missed my footing for 28 long years – yes, not once.
“Hmmmmmmmmm” he looked at the photos on the wall. The three proud movements of being decorated. Indeed, a handsome macho soldier, the close-cropped hair, the thick twirled up moustache, the starched uniform et all. Distinguished Service & Gallantry medals, Yes Three of them, Sena Medal, Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal& Vir Chakra.
Yes, then again deployed in Kupwara in Kashmir on an anti-terrorist mission: but the explosion of the detonated land mine and then the long unbearable silence. The long silence for 8 long months.
Sigh. Forget it. The shell-shocked soldier said “Vishalam orru kaapi tharu.” Prompt came the reply “Itha edukanuu.”
Unnimama closed his eyes. Somewhere in the background: The thunderous explosion again, and then the heavy silence.
Vishalammai came with the coffee. But Unnimama had left to the faraway peaceful land of no wars and falls, leaving behind: all the laurels to rest.
Comments
Thanks a million
Thanks for the encouragement!!