Remembering Captain Vikram Batra, The Smiling Hero Of Kargil

Remembering Captain Vikram Batra, PVC : The Smiling Hero Of Kargil War.

Captain Batra 

Are some people born to be heroes? Are there men, who are destined for greatness? Men who in spite of having all the qualities that would ensure them success in the world, sacrifice it all for others? Every once in while, there have been such men and women in this country's history, men and women who were born to do something extraordinary. Capt. Vikram Batra was clearly one such man - one in a billion!

As a school kid, when a young girl had fallen from his school bus, he had jumped off from the moving bus without any hesitation. Hurt, he had then taken the injured girl to a nearby hospital. He was daring, helpful, he would go out at midnight if anyone asked for his help.  

Capt. Vikram was a brilliant student, always scoring very high grades in school and college. He happened to be an exceptional sportsman, excelling in most sports, with table tennis and skating being one of his favourites. He even played nationals in Table Tennis during his school days. 

Pic from Capt. Batra’s Family Album. 

As if these qualities were not enough in one man alone, he happened to possess a magnetic personality, an aura of positivity that everyone fell in love with. His face always glowed, he was always smiling, and he had a very infectious laughter. A no holds bar laughter. Everyone in the this small town loved him.

The infectious smile of this extraordinary man was soon witnessed and felt by a nation in crises, and the nation too, fell in love. 

Capt. Vikram Batra in Kashmir.

During the Kargil invasion of 1999 by Pakistan, (at the time) Lt. Batra, 13 JAK Rifles, and his Delta Company were ordered to recapture peak 5140 on June 19, five weeks after the war began. Nicknamed Sher Sha of Kargil, Lt. Batra showed exceptional courage and intellect to capture the peak. He single-handedly killed three enemy fighters in dangerous close-range combat. Regardless of his injuries, Captain Batra regrouped his men to pave the way for Indian soldiers to advance further in the Kargil war.

One of the famous quote of Vikram Batra, PVC 

'Yeh Dil Maange More' is our company's success signal, he said to the camera with a smile. It was the confident smiling visage of this hero that calmed the nation, which made its one billion people believe that everything will be okay.  

The capture of Point 5140 set in motion a string of successes for the Indian army. A few days later Lt. Batra was assigned to an urgent mission to recapture peak 4875. With an 80-degree slope to the peak where the Pakistani army sat with a clear view of the climb, this was nothing less than a death trap. In the early morning hours of 7 July 1999, he commanded a mission to rescue an injured officer. During the rescue attempt, he pushed aside his Subedar, saying "Tu baal-bacchedar hai, hat ja peeche."(You have children, step aside) and was killed in action while clearing enemy positions. His last words were, "Jai Mata Di".

It was seventeen years ago that he lost his life fighting for our country, but heroes never die, and PVC Capt. Vikram Batra lives on. His bravery, his sacrifice, his intelligence, his charm, and that infectious smile, they all live on in our hearts. 

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HARD FACTS OF INDO-PAK 1965 WAR

SOME HARD FACTS OF 1965 INDO-PAK WAR

-- By Danvir Singh, Ex Cornel, Indian Army.

Captured Pakistani Patton Tanks

History Distorted: September 06 Celebrated as Defence Day in Pakistan each year to commemorate victory in 1965 war.

Some Facts and Truth:

The 1965 Indo-Pak war saw the deadliest tank battles between the Armoured formations of these two waring nations post WWII. 

Result - Both sides claimed victory.

At the end of the war, this is what the tally looked like:

• India won 1,920 sqkm of territory; Pakistan won 540 sqkm.
• 2,862 Indian soldiers were killed; Pakistan lost 5,800 soldiers.
• India lost 97 tanks; 450 Pakistani tanks were destroyed or captured.

Battle of Haji Pir Pass, 1965 

Haji Pir Pass Under The Indian Tricolour. 

India captured the key Haji Pir Pass - "A Major ingress route for Pakistanis" - and made some big gains in Sialkot and reached the doors of Lahore in Punjab.. 

The Pakistani army managed to repulse a takeover of Lahore, made advances in the deserts of Rajasthan and came perilously close to taking over Akhnoor in the Jammu region..

Tashkent Declaration, 1966

Ayub Khan and Lal Bahadur Shastri at Tashkent in USSR.

India and Pakistan met at Tashkent in January 1966 where they agreed to withdraw to their pre-war positions.

In my opinion India won the war on the battle field but lost it on the table. Giving away Haji Pir was the gravest mistake. 

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The Incredible Story of Col. Narendra Kumar Who Secured The Siachen Glacier for India.

The Incredible Story of Col. Narendra Kumar Who Secured The Siachen Glacier for India.

Col. Narendra Kumar 

In the army, they knew him as ‘Bull’ Kumar, awed as his mates were by the strength of his thick, muscular neck. Col Narendra Kumar earned this sobriquet at the National Defence Academy, then in Dehradun, during the first boxing match he fought. His rival was a senior cadet, S.F. Rodrigues, who went on to become the chief of army staff. Col Kumar lost the bout, but the ‘Bull’ epithet stuck.

Since then, Col Kumar has done everything in his long military career to justify the name his colleagues gave him. Like the bull, he loves a challenge, sniffs it even before others can see it, and goes at it in a single-minded pursuit, indifferent to consequences, full tilt, tail up. It was these qualities of his that ensured the Siachen glacier became an integral part of India.

The heroic story of Col Kumar dates to 1978, when he took a major expedition to the inhospitable glacier. This was six years before India launched Operation Meghdoot to thwart Pakistan’s designs on the Siachen glacier. No doubt, he knew the mountains well, commissioned as he had been into the Kumaon Regiment and consequently having spent the better part of his military career surrounded by troops born and bred in the rugged hills of Kumaon. Yet glaciers aren’t just stunningly beautiful mountainscape: they can numb, daze and kill you. Col Kumar, posted as the commandant of the army’s High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in Gulmarg then, knew he was heading into uncharted territory. “This was the first major expedition into the unknown,” he says, reminiscing about it in his flat in Delhi. “We had some reports that the Americans were showing Siachen as part of Pakistan in their adventure maps.”

Narendra Kumar tells the story of all those years in the cold

What Kumar and his team planned was to reach the glacier’s snout, its lowest point, where the ice melts into water, and then trek up the 77 km of treacherous crevasses, mountains, passes and snow-covered peaks to reach the source. The colonel knew the stakes were high, that this mission could decide the future of India’s strategic outreach and establish a critical wedge between Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and the swathe of Indian territory the Chinese had occupied in the aftermath of 1962. “Our equipment wasn’t the best, we didn’t have any maps,” he recalls. “We were going in blind and all we had was a rough idea of the peaks which had been named by the British decades ago.”

Bound to each other by thick ropes, trekking across the harsh terrain for weeks on end, Col Kumar became the first Indian to climb the Sia Kangri peak, which offers a majestic view of the Siachen glacier. But there was also a surprise awaiting the team—a Japanese mountain expedition facilitated by the Pakistan military had a presence there. After a “sit-rep” (situational report) was dispatched to the army headquarters, the team went from peak to peak, staying ahead of snow avalanches to chart the area.

Bull Kumar led other expeditions till 1984, losing four toes to frostbite. His sacrifice wasn’t to go waste.

Cut to 1984: intelligence information convinced the army headquarters that the Pakistanis were planning to militarily occupy Siachen and the heights of the nearby Saltoro ridge. There was evidence: in the autumn of 1983, a team from the Indian army’s elite Ladakh Scouts had sighted a Pakistani special forces unit from the ssg in the Siachen area. This prompted the area army headquarters to immediately draw up plans for a major operation in the summer of 1984. The fourth battalion of the Kumaon Regiment was assembled and equipped for Operation Meghdoot, which had as its bulwark Kumar’s maps, films and his knowledge of the area.

On April 13, 1984, Operation Meghdoot finally got under way. Air force choppers, their engines clattering in protest at being pushed to the limits of technological possibility at incredible heights, began to drop soldiers at Bilafond La which is today part of the Siachen Base Camp. For the first time in history, India had stamped its claim on the Siachen glacier. The sturdy Kumaonis then trekked up the glacier to secure the two major passes—the Sia La and Gyong La—even as the Pakistanis were scrambling their troops into the region. The Kumaonis moved up the Saltoro ridge, overlooking the approach from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and Sia Kangri to establish posts that would give India the command of the glacier. With hands veritably frozen around their 7.62 mm rifles, Indian troops battled the elements to establish a military foothold in what would become the world’s highest battlefield.

“At times, you face impossible choices on the glacier. We always moved in pairs, bound to each other by rope. At one point, my buddy fell into a crevasse. For 45 minutes, I grappled with the idea of dying with him or cutting him loose and saving my life or to hang with him till the cold killed us both. I am glad that I never cut the rope.” In those 45 minutes, the buddy crawled up, the duo living to continue their foray from peak to peak.

To the west of the glacier were hostile Pakistani troops; on the east and to the north stood the Chinese. Had Col Kumar been given a clearance, he’d perhaps have climbed the K2 peak in the Karakoram ranges as well. But to reach K2, he’d have had to traverse the Shaksgam valley, which the Pakistanis had illegally ceded to China. So, India halted its advance on reaching the northernmost tip of the Siachen glacier, settling in on its frozen waste.

And The Sweet Victory. 

As Indian troops established more posts, a key base on the glacier was named Kumar Base: perhaps the only living Indian army officer to enjoy this singular honour. India’s claim to Siachen was confirmed. But the “Refrigerated Combat” against the elements and Pakistan had only just begun.

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Story of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat – A Hero of the 1962 Indo-China War, whose valour impressed even the Chinese commanders

Story of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, whose valour impressed even the Chinese commanders.

RiflemanJaswant Singh Rawat (MVC)

The story of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, MVC. a soldier who's valour was celebrated even by his enemies.

Jaswant Singh Rawat was an Indian rifleman soldier who won the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) posthumously at the Battle of Nuranang. Rifleman (RFN) Jaswant Singh, number 4039009, was serving with the 4th Battalion of the Garhwal Rifles.

Rifleman Jaswant Singh is considered the hero of Sino-India War in 1962. According to a local legend,he single-handedly fought the Chinese army for three days. (battle that started on 17th November 1962 and continued for the next 72 hours). It was the last phase of the war in November 1962, and due to a lack of resources, his company was asked to fall back. But, Jaswant Singh remained at his post. With the help of two local girls, Sela and Nura, Jaswant Singh set up weapons at three different spots and fired them non-stop for three days. Thinking a big contingent was firing at them, the Chinese Army stayed put.

Memorial of Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat 

As the time passed, the Chinese Army grew frustrated, as they knew no way to counter the purported attack of the Indian Army. It’s said that Jaswant Singh managed to kill more than 300 enemy soldiers before the Chinese captured the man supplying him rations and told them about the lone rifleman who opposed them. The man spilled the beans. The Chinese then surrounded Jaswant Singh from all sides. Nura was captured and Sela died in a grenade burst. Jaswant Singh, realising he was about to be captured, shot himself.

The Chinese forces cutoff Jaswant Singh's head and took it back to China as a war souvenir. After the war was over, the commander of the Chinese forces, impressed by the late Jaswant Singh's show of bravery, returned his head along with a brass bust made of the soldier. It is now installed at the site of the battle. He was posthumously awarded Maha Vir Chakra for his bravery. Jaswant Singh's display of valour, and his love for his nation has proved to be a great source of inspiration to Indian soldiers since.

The Honour 

For their work in the field, 4 Garhwal Rifles was awarded the battle honour ‘Nauranang’ the only one bestowed during the 1962 war. Jaswant Singh’s comrades Lance Naik Trilok Singh Negi (posthumously), Rifle Man Gopal Singh were awarded the Vir Chakra.

Inside the Hut.

Personal Belongings of Singh. 

Regardless of what the real story of Jaswant Singh was, for locals, the jawans who are posted for his upkeep and all travellers who pass by – he remains the guardian ghost of India’s Eastern Border – the man who saved Arunachal Pradesh from the Chinese. The silver lining in what was otherwise a disappointing battle. 

Singh & His Memorial.

Locals have even constructed a Buddhist temple at the spot. Even though Jaswant Singh was decorated (posthumously) with a Mahavir Chakra, the Indian Army continues to treat him with the fanfare of a serving officer.A hut constructed over the spot where he was martyred, houses a bed which is constantly made by one of the army jawans posted at the post, his shoes are regularly polished and letters by his well wishers are presented to Jaswant Singh every day and taken away the next day after he’s gone through them..

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9 Stories About The Indian Army & Its Heroes Will Make You Proud!

9 Stories About The Indian Army & Its Heroes Will Make You Proud!

Indomitable courage, outstanding leadership and devotion to duty, that’s how you identify the men in olive green.

Amar Jawan 

Far from their homes and loved ones, in the cold winds of frosty Siachen or the heat waves of hot Rajasthan or the hilly terrain of Arunachal, are soldiers on guard to protect our Republic while you are in your cozy home.

Here are some of the stories about the Indian Army that will make you make you realise how much we take our freedom for granted.

1. When 120 men and a jeep mounted with a gun defended India against 2000 Pakistanis and 45 tanks.

Indian Army personnel celebrate Indian victory at the end Battle of Longewala on top of a knocked out Pakistani tank.

120 km from Ramgarh, in Thar Desert lies Longewala, an Indian border post. At the post, 120 Indian soldiers were stationed with a Jeep mounted with M40 recoilless rifle. On December 4th, 1971, Lt. Daramveer Bhan who was patrolling the international border reported Pakistani advancement with a large number of armoured vehicles. The company commander Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri got in touch with the battalion HQ requesting reinforcement, armour and weaponry support as they only had medium machine guns. Battalion HQ asked him to either hold back Pakistanis as supply couldn’t reach quickly; or retreat back to Ramgarh. The company, with indomitable Army spirit, chose to stay despite fearing being severely outnumbered by the enemy forces. Around 30 minutes past midnight, 45 tanks and 2000 men of Pakistan took on 120 Indians.

The battle continued all night with Indians successfully guarding their homeland against a massive, massive force. By the time the battle ended on December 7th, a small number of 120 soldiers with the help of 5 airplanes, which were unable to navigate during the night, destroyed 500 Pakistani vehicles (!), killed 200 soldiers and the Pakistanis either lost or abandoned over 34 tanks – one of the highest ever tank losses after WWII.

Only two Indians lost their lives.

War Heroes of Battle of Longewala 

Radio intercept by Indian Air Force sent from a Pakistani tank to their HQ, after Indian military shattered advancing Pakistani forces was:

“IAF is giving us extreme trouble, one aircraft goes and another aircraft arrives and dominates the air for about 30 minutes, 40% forces and equipment is already destroyed, even retreating is impossible, let alone retaliating.Immediately send air support, otherwise returning back will be impossible.”

2. The story of how the brave Indian army defeated China in 1967 and defended Sikkim.

Memorial of Nathu-La 

In 1967, at Nathu-La Pass, Sikkim, erstwhile protectorate of India, the Chinese installed loudspeakers and threatened to repeat “1962” if Indians didn’t retreat from the area. The Indian side, heeding no notice, started fencing the pass. The Chinese asked them to stop. Ignoring, our troops continued. Minutes later, murderous medium-machine-gun (MMG) fire started from the other side. The pass – completely devoid of cover – exposed the jawans of the 70 Field Company and the 18 Rajput to the open fire causing heavy fatalities at our side.

Two brave officers – Capt. Dagar of 2 Grenadiers and Major Harbhajan Singh of 18 Rajput reassembled a few troops and tried to assault the Chinese MMG but both died a gallant death. Within 10 minutes, 70 dead Indian soldiers and many other wounded were laying in the open on the pass.

Retaliating, the Indian army asked for the artillery fire and created havoc in the Chinese camp, estimating 400 casualties.

Then, the two sides seemed unstoppable, with China getting a lesson each day. Three days later, the Chinese agreed to ceasefire. 15 days later on October 1, similar incident happened at Cho-La, a few kilometres north of Nathu-La. Despite initial casualties, the 7/11 GR and the 10 JAK RIF stood firm and forced the Chinese to withdraw nearly three kilometres away to Kam-Barracks where they are installed till date. And this is how the Chinese retreated from Sikkim.

No wonder, Sino-Indian border has remained peaceful ever since to the level that today Chinese soldiers come and ask their Indian counterparts at Nathu La for cigarettes, rum and tea; mail is exchanged twice in a week in a hut constructed specially for this purpose and border personnel meeting takes place twice a year.

3. How Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey inspired a crucial reclamation that led to India’s victory during the Kargil War.

Official Portrait of Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC

“Why do you want to join the Army?” “I want to win the Param Vir Chakra.” That’s what was asked to Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey in his SSB interview. And he remained true to his word! Part of the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, on June 11th, 1999 during the Kargil War, he led his men to capture the Jubar top, besides a narrow, treacherous ridge towards the backstabbing enemy, now in bunkers on the Indian land.

Pakistanis fired on Capt. Pandey’s men; demonstrating great daring, he gushed ahead of his troop and hailed the enemy with bullets and a loud battle cry. Wounded by bullets on leg and shoulder, he killed two men in the first bunker in hand combat and urged his men to clear all bunkers and collapsed in the final bunker.
On July 3rd, as a part of Operation Vijay, advancing to Khalubar, he was asked to clear off the enemy positions amidst heavy shooting. Audaciously striking the first enemy position, he killed two enemies and destroyed the second position by killing two more. While clearing third, bullets thrashed his shoulder and legs. Undaunted, he continued to lead the assault on the fourth which he destroyed with a grenade and then, a shot penetrated his forehead. ‘Na chhodnu,’ ‘Don’t spare them,’ were his last words. This daredevil act and motivation led to capture of Khalubar.

4. How General Cariappa became the Indian Army’s first General and what he did when his son was taken as prisoner by Pakistan 18 years later.

KM Cariappa 

Soon after the independence, Prime Minister Nehru called up a meeting of Defence Minister and senior army officers to appoint the first COAS of Indian Army. Nehru proposed, “I think we should appoint a British officer as a General of the Indian Army, as we don’t have enough experience to lead an army.”

A senior officer, Nathu Singh Rathore snapped, “You see, sir, we don’t have enough experience to lead a nation too, so shouldn’t we appoint a Britisher as the first Prime Minister of India?”

Silence followed and the defence minister of India, Sardar Baldev Singh, offered him to take up the post. He declined, saying, “My senior Lt. Gen. KM Cariappa is better for the job.” and thus Lt. General Kodandera Madappa Cariappa became the first Chief of Army Staff on January 15th, 1948 and hence this date is also marked as the Indian Army day.

During the 1965 war, his son K C Cariappa, an Indian Air Force pilot, was shot down over Pakistan Major Zaidia and taken as a prisoner of war. On realising the identity of the wounded soldier at Dargil, Pakistan’s Gen. Ayub Khan – who was junior to KM Cariappa before independence, contacted Field Marshal Cariappa, with information about his son’s safety. When Gen. Khan offered to release his son immediately, Field Marshal is reported to have scoffed at the idea and told him to give his son no better treatment than any other Prisoner of War (POW). “He is my son no longer,” the old Soldier is reported to have thundered. “He is the child of this country, a soldier fighting for his motherland like a true patriot. My many thanks for your kind gesture, but I request you to release all or release none. Give him no special treatment.”

5. The soldier who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra “posthumously” but he managed to receive it himself!

Subedar Yogendra Yadav, being awarded the PVC by the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, the President of India KR Narayanan.

It’s way past midnight! Sunlight is a few hours away, in the distance you could hear gunfire, in front of you is a snow clad vertical path of 16,500 feet and on the top of it are bunkers in which reside men who are here to take your motherland! This was what was happening on the morning of July 4th, 1999 to Subedar Yogendra Singh and his ‘Ghatak’ Platoon that was asked to capture the Tiger Hill.
Now someone was to climb the cliff and fix ropes so that the feature could be attacked. Subedar Singh of 18 Grenadiers stepped up. Half-way up, an enemy-bunker started firing rockets and machine guns mercilessly, killing the platoon commander and two other colleagues of Subedar. The fire continued and Singh was hit in his crotch and shoulder by multiple bullets, but he continued nonetheless.

When the wounded Subedar Singh reached the top, the first bunker opened fire at him. He ran towards them and hurled a grenade through the window killing the enemy soldiers in the bunker. Then firing away he went to the second bunker, men in which were firing him and his comrades. He along with his other Grenadiers killed four Pakistanis using his bare hands. His partners captured the third bunker and hence the Tiger Hill – a top-priority reclamation for the country.

After a broken leg, a shattered arm and almost 15 bullet wounds, Sudebar Singh was taken to the hospital where it was assumed that he may become a martyr. Param Vir Chakra was announced for his invincible spirit, determination and action beyond the call of the duty, posthumously, but it was found that he was recovering in the hospital and this 19-year-old was awarded the P.V.C. by the then President K. R. Narayanan.

6. The story of Famous Gurkha Regiment:

The Gurkha(s)

Famous for their ever-present kukris – a distinctive heavy knife with a curved blade – and their fierce nature of fighting, the Gurkha regiment is the reason the British failed to annex Nepal to their Empire during the Gurkha war. The British-Indian Army officers were impressed by the tenacity and gallantry of the Gurkha soldiers and encouraged them to volunteer for the East India Company. They did and the Gurkhas remained loyal to British throughout the Raj.

After the partition, the respect for the Gurkhas hadn’t died down from the Britishers’ end and out of the ten Gurkha regiments, the British decided to retain four Gurkha Rifles; the remaining six went on to join the Indian Army.

The 8 Gurkha Rifles regiment has the unique distinction of producing one of the two Field Marshals of the Indian Army: Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who is still revered as one of Indian Army’s finest officers. Manekshaw once said: "If a man says he’s not afraid of dying, he’s either lying or he’s a Gorkha."

7. “I’ll either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return wrapped in it.”

Capt. Vikram Batra, PVC

On June 1st, 1999, when the Kargil war was to erupt, one Capt Vikram Batra’s unit was sent to Kargil daring operation to recapture the Point 5140 – of utmost importance to India. Point 5140 was at a height of 17,000 feet.

Reaching Point 5140, Capt Batra faced the commander of the Pakistani-backed terrorists on radio. The enemy commander provoked him, “Why have you come here Shershah, you will not go back.” Captain Batra, being the last person to back away from a fight, replied, “We shall see within one hour who remains on the top.” In a short while Captain Batra and his company of troops killed eight enemy soldiers and captured a heavy anti-aircraft machine gun, neutralising the advantageous peak. Mission Point 5140 was a success. Soon after he radioed his Commanding Officer (CO), “Yeh dil mange more!”

Next chapter was Point 4750, where he was dared again by the enemy who said, “Shershah, nobody shall be left to lift your dead bodies!” Shershah, as nicknamed by his CO hurled, “Don’t worry about us, pray for your safety.” Later he re-captured Point 4750 and hoisted the national flag.

His heart, in zeal of patriotism wanting victory, made him volunteer for his third task of re-capturing point 4875. On July 5th, 1999, after thrashing intruders, his company and others lead by Capt. Anuj Nayyar, re-captured the peak. The enemy counter-attacked on July 7th but the team retaliated with enthusiasm. During the fire-exchange, Capt Batra’s junior Lt. Naveen was hit and Shershah jumped to his rescue, who was pleading to let him continue to which he replied, “Tu baal bachedaar hai! Hatt jaa peeche.” (You are the one with kids; back away!) And while saving his comrade, a bullet found its way to Capt Batra’s heart and the brave captain with the words, “Jai Mata Di” fell on the ground to become immortal in our hearts.

8. When this 2nd Lieutenant single-handedly destroyed numerous Pakistani tanks and troops, denying Pakistan to enter Indian soil.

  Portrait of 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal, PVC

During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal’s 17 Poona Horse was ordered to construct a bridge across Basantar river, in the Shakargarh region near the international border with the 47th Indian Infantry Brigade. After building it, engineers were to crack the enemy mine-field. Half-way through, the enemy raided. Even though the mine fields were partly cleared, the regiment advanced, not having considered what laid ahead. By the first light of December 16th, 1971, the army established a link-up at the bridge for the tanks to pass. At 8am, a Pakistani regiment, sufficiently armoured, confronted the Indian troops. Our troops being outnumbered, the Commander of the squadron requested assistance from 2nd Lt. Khetarpal, who was close to the battle-field.

As soon as the request was relayed, Kheterpal got into enemy’s neck to clean it all! On the way, he overran some strong points and captured many soldiers. During this, his group’s second tank was attacked and the commander was killed, leaving him alone fighting the Pakistanis.

But Kheterpal single-handedly went on to ambush the area with his tank. The tank battle followed and 2nd Lt. Khetarpal destroyed four tanks. The Pakistanis then wrecked the other two following tanks and also bombed his tank, flaming it up. Khetarpal, not giving it up, went on to destroy rest of the tanks; after which his own tank blew up. The fearless officer met his death refuting the enemy to step on his land.

When his tank was flamed up, the commander of his troop had ordered him to abandon the burning tank, but he proclaimed.

The parade ground at the National Defence Academy is today named the Khetarpal Ground, and the auditorium and one of the main gates bear his name at the Indian Military Academy.

9. When Prime Minister of India asked the General of the Indian Army, “Are you trying to grab the power?”

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw & his famous quote.

“Sam, what are you doing?”

“Sitting in my office and having tea, Madam.”

“Come to my office, I’ll give you tea here.”

This is what PM Indira Gandhi told Chief of Army Staff Gen. Sam Manekshaw one fine morning during the days that Indira Gandhi was not-so-popular amongst her party and opposition for being a one-woman ruler!

“Everybody says you are taking over. When are you taking over?” Gandhi asked.

“What do you think?”

“I don’t think you would.”

“You’re right Madam Prime Minister. My daughter, when she comes from the convent sings the nursery rhyme, ‘you mind your business, I mind mine; you kiss your own sweetheart, I kiss mine’. You have a long nose. So have I. But I don’t poke my nose into other people’s affairs. I do not interfere with politics and politicians.” Sam Maneskshaw even offered to quit on grounds of mental instability.

This wasn’t the first time the Prime Minister had the taste of Sam Maneskshaw. One day in April 1971, when India was becoming the home to millions of refugees from the East Pakistan, Indira Gandhi wanted to attack East Pakistan and get rid of the problem of West Pakistan’s bias to East. She called up the cabinet along with Sam Bahadur and told them about her plan. Sam declared that if we attack now, India would lose the battle as the Army was not ready.

Soon after the Cabinet members retired from the meeting, Sam offered his resignation; “There is a very thin line between being dismissed and becoming a field-marshal,” as he recalls but again Gandhi refused and asked him to prepare.

And so he did.

As war drew closed, Indira Gandhi asked her army chief if he was ready for the fight. Gen. Manekshaw replied with the chivalry, flirtatiousness and utter boldness for which he was famous: “I am always ready, sweetie.”

And ready he was; winning Dhaka in two weeks.

Gen. Manekshaw truly became immortal in the history of India for his brave acts and the way he stood up to his political bosses for his soldiers as he once said, “I wonder whether those of our political masters who have been put in charge of the defence of the country can distinguish a mortar from a motor; a gun from a howitzer; a guerrilla from a gorilla, although a great many resemble the latter.”

So, the men in olive green, that is how we define a hero. We at Youth Connect salute the Indian Army for the selfless and brave job they do every day and every night of protecting our freedom, our Republic. Thank you.

Text Coyright © 2015-2016 by AMCA- India's first indigenous stealth fighter 

Special Forces of India

Special Forces of India 

Indian Armed Forces has three SF units:

1. Para (SF) of the Army
2. MARCOS of the Navy 
3. Garuds of the IAF 

The Indian Army Para SF 

Para SF in Foggman Suit

Patches of Para SF 

Firstly there is a bit of a confusion when it come's to the Indian Army’s SOF. The Special Forces come under the Parachute Regiment which is divided into two:   

1) Regular Airborne units - 5,6,7 Para 

2) Special Forces units - 1,2,3,4,9,10,11,21 Para(SF)   

As you can see SF units are denoted by the SF suffixed in brackets.  1,9,10 are the oldest units, 21 was raised in 1996 and 11 is the latest addition, being raise in 2011.   The SF units have a probation (selection in Indian Army SF is called probation) period of 6 months and the regular airborne ones have a probation of 3 months. The Army SF units have been conducting joint exercises with the Green Berets (possibly the 1st SFG) at CIJWS (Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School). Late in 2011 and exercise with the Polish GROM also took place. Exercises with the 22 SAS also take place. Some 1st SFG members might give a better about the Indian Army SF as they have cross trained in India with them.

Equipments

Para SF During Operation With Tavor.

• Tavors (CTAR, GTAR, X95) with night sights, EOTech sights, AN-PEQ2, Mepro gear.
• M4A1 Carbine With ACOG 
• Pistol Auto 9mm 1A Semi-automatic pistol
• Glock 17 9mm Semi-automatic pistol
• Beretta 92 9mm Semi-automatic pistol
• Heckler & Koch MP5 Sub-machine gun
• Micro Uzi 9mm Sub-machine gun
• IWI Galil Assault rifle
• IWI TAR-21 Tavor Assault rifle
• M4A1 Carbine
• MPi KMS-72 East German made side-folded Kalashnikov rifle
• PM Md.90 Assault rifle
• VZ. 58 Pi Assault rifle
• SVD Dragunov Semi-automatic sniper rifle
• IWI Galil Semi-automatic sniper rifle
• Mauser SP66 Bolt-action sniper rifle
• PKM General purpose machine gun
• Uk vz. 59L Light machine gun
• MG 2A1 General purpose machine gun
• AGS-17 Plamya Automatic grenade launcher.
• C-90-CR-RB (M3) Disposal rocket launcher.
• RL MkIII 84mm Recoilles rifle
• B-300 Shipon 82mm Rocket launcher

Transport

• C-130J Super Hercules tactical 

• HAL Dhruv utility helicopter
• All Terrain Vehicles
• HAL Cheetak utility helicopter

The Indian Navy MARCOS SF

A Marcos Commando With Beretta Pistol 

The Indian Navys SF units is the MARCOS (Marine Commandos).They were formed in 1987 when 2 officers were sent to Coronado to train alongisde the SEALs, so essentially its the SEALs who initially helped train the unit (a big big thanks to the SEALs for that), further training as some say was imparted by the SAS/SBS. In the early years the unit was very secretive reports say that the operators even didn't tell their families that they were with this unit, the cover being that of a combat diver. Not much about their selection process is known but I did ask an credible source and he did say that it is very different from BUDS. 

The unit operates in the Wular lake in Kashmir from where once Pakistan supported terrorists would infiltrate into Kashmir. Since their deployment there the terrorists fear them a LOT,they have been nicknamed by the terrorists as "Crocodiles".

They got USMC style combat uniform. Like the SEAL teams they are divided as MARCOS(East) and MARCOS(West). 

Equipments 

• Pistol Auto 9mm 1A 9mm Semi-automatic pistol
• Beretta 92FS Semi-automatic pistol
• SAF Carbine 2A1 9mm Sub-machine gun
• Heckler & Koch MP5A3/A5 9mm Sub-machine gun
• AK-103 7.62×39mm Assault rifle
• AKMS 7.62×39mm Assault rifle
• IMI TAR-21 5.56mm
• IMI GTAR-21 5.56mm NATO Assault rifle
• APS amphibious rifle 5.66x39mm Underwater assault rifle
• IMI Galil 7.62 Sniper/Galatz 7.62mm NATO Semi-automatic sniper rifle
• Heckler & Koch MSG90 7.62mm NATO Semi-automatic sniper rifle
• Sako Tikka T3 TAC 7.62x51mm bolt-action sniper rifles
• IMI Negev 5.56mm NATO Light machine gun
• MG 2A1 7.62 mm General purpose machine gun
• GP-25 40mm Under-barrel grenade launcher
• Arsenal UBGL 40x46mm Under-barrel grenade launcher
• AGS-17 30x29mm Automatic grenade launcher
• RCL Mk III 84mm Recoilless rifle
• Shipon Anti-tank weapon
• 9K38 Igla MANPADS

Transport 

• Indian Navy Sea King Mk.42B on INS Mumbai
• HAL Dhruv utility helicopter
• 6 Westland WS-61 Sea King transport helicopter
• Chetak helicopters
• Cosmos CE-2F X100 two-man submarines
• All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)
• Indian Navy Swimmer Delivery Vehicle

IAF GARUD Commando 

IAF Garud Commando 

The Garud Commando Force is the Special Forces unit of the Indian Air Force. It was formed in September 2004. Garud is tasked with the protection of critical Air Force bases and installations; search and rescue during peace and hostilities and disaster relief during calamities. Presently, Garud's are deployed in Congo as part of the UN peace keeping operations. After attempts by terrorists to attack two major air bases in Jammu and Kashmir in 2001, Indian Air Force commanders felt the need for a specialized force to protect these critical elements and to have a dedicated Commando Force trained in Special Forces techniques, Combat Search and Rescue, Reconnaissance, Counter Insurgency (COIN) Operations and Emergency in response to terror-threats to airfields. The initial plans mooted in October 2002 called for a specialized force with 2000 commandos. The group was originally called "Tiger Force", but was later renamed as "Garud Force". Apart from protecting air bases from sabotage and attacks by commando raids, they are also tasked to seal off weapons systems, fighter hangars and other major systems during intrusions and conflicts. Garuds have diverse responsibilities. Besides base protection force to protect airfields and key assets in hostile environments, some advanced Garud units are trained like Army Para Commandos and the Naval MARCOS to undertake missions deep behind enemy lines. Note, that the security of IAF installations like radars, airfields and other establishments in border areas is generally performed by the Air Force Police and the Defence Security Corps (DSC). During peace time, apart from protecting the air bases and other vital infrastructure from terrorist attacks, Garud roles include counter terrorism, anti-hijacking, hostage rescue, aid during natural calamities and military tasks in the interest of the nation. The Garud force is organized into fifteen "Flights", with a total present strength of approximately 1080 airmen.  (A flight is roughly the equivalent of a "Company" in an Infantry Battalion, and is commanded by an officer of the rank of Flight Lieutenant.) 

Equipment 

• Glock 17, 19 and 26 semi-automatic pistol
• IMI TAR-21 Tavor with MORS sight 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle
• IMI GTAR-21 Grenadier Tavor with Arsenal UBGL 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle
• IMI STAR-21 Sharpshooter Tavor with Nimrod telescopic sights 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle
• IMI CTAR-21 Compact Tavor with MORS sight 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle
• INSAS 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle
• AKMS 7.62×39mm assault rifle
• MPi KMS-72 7.62×39mm assault rifle
• PM Md.90 7.62×39mm assault rifle
• IMI Galil 7.62 Sniper/Galatz 7.62×51mm NATO semi-automatic sniper rifle
• INSAS LMG 5.56×45mm NATO light machine gun
• IMI Negev SF 5.56×45mm NATO light machine gun

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