AFVOA Newletters of Year 2004

Page 63 of 153 106. Even before we embarked upon the mission of our lives, we were given a slogan by our commander ‘Victory or Martyrdom’ ( Vijay ya Virgati ). The weather was not favourable to us. Snow blizzards started blowing. The enemy fire was very heavy. We were to begin our operation at night. It was the night of July 3/4, when we were asked to march on. We made slow progress towards our aim but we knew we were on the right track. Within hours we managed to capture one of the positions from the enemy. In the process we lost two of our colleagues. 107. Their martyrdom acted as a source of inspiration for us and we took a pledge that we would not let their sacrifice be wasted. We decided we would win Tiger Hill, no matter what the cost. 108. The battle was getting bloody. We lost four more jawans, but managed to destroy another bunker where the enemy had been holing out. We took control of the bunker. Each soldier who laid down his life inspired me to continue. Those of us who survived were determined to reach the top of the hill. Now it really did not matter whether we all lived or lost our lives. 109. We were at the crucial stage of our operation. The peak was so near and looked within our reach. Though we had taken care of most of the enemy, some were still hanging on to their automatic weapons and firing at us. The difficulty on reaching the top still loomed large over us. But our Captain Balwan Singh egged us on. We split into two parties. While one led by him took care of the enemy on the slopes, I along with handful of soldiers who had survived were fighting the intruders and inching towards the top. 110. We were losing men. While some sacrificed their lives, the others were injured. I was hit by bullets one after another. Four of them were lodged in my arm, legs etc I was badly injured, but there were some enemy soldiers who were still firing at us. I decided we would have to take the risk. Eventually, we managed to kill the remaining Pakistani intruders and hoist the tricolour on top of Tiger Hill. 111. Once the battle was over we counted the dead bodies of the enemy. There were seventy in all at various positions. When we look back, we realise the snow blizzards gave us a tremendous advantage. It was not easy. We had to not only fight the enemy but we had to also climb up at the same time. It took another four, five hours to clear the rest of the enemy positions on the slopes. ( Sources : http://haynese.winthrop.edu/india/medals/pvc/ysyadav.html ; http://www.rediff.com/republic/2000/27param.html ) No. 13760533 Rifleman Sanjay Kumar , 13th Jammu and Kashmir Rifles Date of Action: 4 July 1999 Place of Action: Flat Top, Kargil area, Jammu and Kashmir CITATION 112. Two bullets lodged in the chest and one in forearm did not deter Rifleman Sanjay Kumar to charge at the enemy in the crucial assault on Area Flat Top on July 4. In complete disregard to his injury he picked the enemy machine gun to use it with good effect at its