Haryana @Kargil War: Some Valiant Stories

On 26 July, 2024, Bharat celebrated its silver jubilee of its famous comeback victory in Kargil War over its arch nemesis Pakistan. The war started in highly controversial circumstances, and is treated as a sabotage by many geopolitical observers, as Pakistan invaded Kargil post the ratification of the Lahore Declaration, 1999. India launched Operation Vijay and successfully reclaimed all the captured points within 53 days of intense high– altitude warfare. The forces had contributions from all states of India, with the Haryanvi youth also contributing massively towards the Indian victory.

One of the 527 soldiers who attained martyrdom during the Kargil war was VC Subedar Randhir Singh of 18 Grenadiers. He was a resident of Bhiwani district & was given the task to lead his team for an assault at the tactically important Tololing Ridge at Dras Sector. Despite coming under intense gunfire from the Pakistani side, Subedar Randhir Singh displayed bravery and along with his team crawled to the sangar and neutralised 2 Pakistani army infiltrators. Despite attaining serious injuries, the brave subedar reached the second enemy sangar and killed 1 Pakistani army infiltrator in a hand to hand combat. His contribution led to the capture of the strategically important Tololing Bridge at point 4590. 

Another hero from Haryana is the great Lt. Balwant Singh who belonged from Rohtak district of Haryana. He was just 26 years of age at the time of the war. He was a part of the mighty Ghatak Platoon, he was a part of the assault team that had to capture the Tiger Hill from the geographically different North Eastern direction. He literally had only 3 months of experience and within 100 days, he was charged with an important role of protecting India’s integrity. He moved with the team for 12 hours under pressure from the constant shelling by the enemy. He and his team used mountaineering skills to reach the top with stealth which shook the foundations of the Pakistani army.

The Pakistanis panicked and started to fire on the Ghataks, despite sustaining injuries, Lt. Balwant Singh killed 4 intruders, encircled the enemy and led a successful re–capture of Tiger Hill. Later on , he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for displaying immense bravery. Post his exploits in the Kargil war, Colonel Balwant Singh Panghal served in the army at various capacities even in foreign lands of Sierra Leone.

There were many more martyrs from Haryana, like Captain Amit Verma of Jhajjar at Unit– 9 Mahar Regiment, Air commander Azad Singh from Gurugram, LN Balwan Singh(Sena Medal), Naik Bhim Singh Malik(Sena Medal), Sepoy Dharambir Singh, Sepoy Gulab Singh Man, Havildar Hari Om(Sena Medal), Sepoy Krishan Pal Bandar and many more soldiers who served in Jat Regiment & attained martyrdom while defending the nation’s honour. These brave soldiers belonged from various districts of Haryana but fought valiantly for the tricolour. Haryana based soldiers also served in various other regiments like the Sikh Regiment, Rajputana Rifles and Mahar Regiment who attained martyrdom for the nation. 

These are some of the stories of our soldiers of the Indian Army at Kargil War, which deserved to be covered in the national media. Soldiers from all states, districts and union territories have contributed to protect India’s sovereignty, integrity and culture since independence who deserve to be celebrated in the daily folklore of the country. Let’s pray, remember & take inspiration from all our heroes who protected India’s sovereignty during the peak of Kargil War. 

About the Author: Srikar Srivatsa Dahagam is an incoming student of MA International Economics at the Graduate Institute of International & Development Studies, Geneva.