Excerpts : Kargil Heights
January 13, 2020
As June closed, the
Indian Army came closer and closer to their goal - to clear out the Pakistani
army, peak by peak.
Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey of 1/11
Gorkha Rifles put up a tough fight against stiff resistance from Pakistan’s 8
NLI (Northern Light Infantry) in
Khalubar. Amidst bullets flying over his head and grenades bursting around him,
he destroyed four bunkers, thus inspiring his boys, before an MMG (Medium
Machine Gun) bullet hit his head. Not surprisingly, Lieutenant Pandey's platoon
successfully recaptured the Khalubar ridgeline on 3 July 1999.
Some goals are so
worthy, it's glorious even to fail.
- Lieutenant Pandey in
his war diary.
19 June 1999
Dear Pawan,
(Do read this letter to as many as possible)
I received both yours letters but could
not reply to the first one. Both of them reached me in the midst of the hot
battle. It is really difficult to fight the enemy at this altitude. He is well
inside bunkers and defences and we are in the open. He has planned his move
very well and has occupied most of the heights. Initially things were very bad
for us and we suffered many casualties but now the situation is under control
and more planned and deliberate attacks are going on. In last one and a half
months I've seen probably the worst in 'OP
Vijay'; maximum casualties in the shortest time. I have myself brushed
shoulders with death four times; but might be because of some good work I am
still alive. Every day we are receiving letters from all over the country
saying the same sentence 'Just do it'.
It's good to see that at times of need and crisis our country gets united. I
really don't know what will happen the next moment but till now I can assure
you and all countrymen that certainly we would push back intruders; at whatever
cost we have to pay maybe our lives.
This operation has certainly given some
exposure which cannot be quantified; like leading men in the face of death;
their fear, their loyalty, the stress and strain both physical and mental which
human beings can take; but yaar 'Indian Army' specially an Infantry jawan is
the ultimate. He would do anything provided he is led properly. As I have
always told you, what infantry gives cannot be told, but today I'm so proud of
my decision to join the 'Infantry' that I can't explain.
Here weather is cold but snow has started
melting down. If sun comes then days are generally ok. Nights are cold with
temperature -5 to -15 degrees.
It all would get over but time factor cannot
be told, and frankly, no one can tell with certainty about his (enemy) going
back. Just one request that guide my brother at this crucial moment of his
life. (About his future)
Convey my regards to all your friends for
being so considerate to us. De remain in touch, it gives us a lot of moral
support. If I come back we would have a lot of things to talk about, but
certainly this is going to be an everlasting experience for me.
Yours,
Manoj.
This excerpt is from the book Letters From Kargil: TheKargil war through our soldiers' eyes by Diksha Dwivedi
Excerpts is a series where we post thoughtful passages from different books that
provide for a short and easy reading.
0 comments