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Bhai tumne to Khoon (dark red) se post likh ke Dara diya.
SIACHEN-The highest battlefield on Earth (Photos, Videos and Discussions)
- Thread starter reddevil9
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Bhai tumne to Khoon (dark red) se post likh ke Dara diya.
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#Siachen -
The world's highest battlefield.
Siachen glacier, located in the eastern Karakoram Range in the Himalayas, situated at an average altitude of 18,000 ft above sea level is the highest battlefield on earth.The word 'Siachen' means the place of wild roses ,it refers to the thorny wild plants which grow on the rocky outcrops. The glacier,is originally known as ‘Saicher Gharni’.
Siachen shares boundaries with Pakistan and China,it's a strategic point ,which is being guarded by the Indian Army since 1984.
For soldiers posted there , the enemy and its guns are not the main adversary but the nature itself.Against whom, they have to fight every day for their existence.With low oxygen ,increased blood pressure,extreme cold,high level of ultraviolet radiation and low humidity the very limit of human body is tested everyday.The fight for survival is the toughest up there,which takes its toll on soldiers posted there.Not to forget nature fury in form of avalanches and frostbite which takes its toll on soldiers every year.
Indian army has established camps up to 6700 m (22,000 feet) ,it takes more than just mountaineering skills, to reach some of the high camps. Soldiers have to cross snow tunnels,go up almost 700 m (2000 ft) vertical cliffs and go across huge crevasses over ladders - most of these to be covered in night to avoid being caught in enemy fire. The stay of the army jawans at such altitudes for long periods has changed many notions about man at high altitudes and are adding new chapters to high altitude mountaineering with each passing day.Many of the camps are supplied by helicopters adding up to Rs. 5 crore daily expense.
To help the army ,technology is being used. Snow-scooters, fitted with skis, move on the upper glacier carrying men and material. Wire cables with winches lead to some posts, situated high on vertical cliffs.Kerosene oil is pumped on the glacier in large quantity to supply fuel.Siachen Glacier has the world's highest helipad built by India at Point Sonam, 21,000 ft (6,400 m) above the sea level, which is used to supply troops. India also installed the world's highest telephone booth on the glacier.Apart from the Indian and Pakistani military presence, the glacier region is unpopulated,the nearest civilian settlement is at the village of Warshi situated 10miles from the Indian army base camp.Road only go ,as far as the Indian military base camp at Dzingrulma, 72km from the top of the glacier.
Every soldier have to serve siachen for 6 months.Even though there is a ceasefire since 2003 ,still both sides have lost men due to harsh climatic conditions.The courage of the jawans are tested to the full. Each has to acclimatize for a long period and undergo a pre induction training of three weeks which is severe. Mountaineering skills with skills required for the war are thoroughly instilled through training. Still the snow, cold, wind and the enemy fire, all takes it toll. Almost all regiment that go up the glacier for posting ,lose men.
Despite of all the hardships,Indian soldiers stand strong by virtue of sheer courage and sacrifice in the line of duty,in this treacherous terrain ,guarding India.
In the coming days ,we will bring to you photos from Siachen ,to give you a glimpse of the hardship our soldiers face ,while serving the motherland.
Jai Hind
️
The world's highest battlefield.
Siachen glacier, located in the eastern Karakoram Range in the Himalayas, situated at an average altitude of 18,000 ft above sea level is the highest battlefield on earth.The word 'Siachen' means the place of wild roses ,it refers to the thorny wild plants which grow on the rocky outcrops. The glacier,is originally known as ‘Saicher Gharni’.
Siachen shares boundaries with Pakistan and China,it's a strategic point ,which is being guarded by the Indian Army since 1984.
For soldiers posted there , the enemy and its guns are not the main adversary but the nature itself.Against whom, they have to fight every day for their existence.With low oxygen ,increased blood pressure,extreme cold,high level of ultraviolet radiation and low humidity the very limit of human body is tested everyday.The fight for survival is the toughest up there,which takes its toll on soldiers posted there.Not to forget nature fury in form of avalanches and frostbite which takes its toll on soldiers every year.
Indian army has established camps up to 6700 m (22,000 feet) ,it takes more than just mountaineering skills, to reach some of the high camps. Soldiers have to cross snow tunnels,go up almost 700 m (2000 ft) vertical cliffs and go across huge crevasses over ladders - most of these to be covered in night to avoid being caught in enemy fire. The stay of the army jawans at such altitudes for long periods has changed many notions about man at high altitudes and are adding new chapters to high altitude mountaineering with each passing day.Many of the camps are supplied by helicopters adding up to Rs. 5 crore daily expense.
To help the army ,technology is being used. Snow-scooters, fitted with skis, move on the upper glacier carrying men and material. Wire cables with winches lead to some posts, situated high on vertical cliffs.Kerosene oil is pumped on the glacier in large quantity to supply fuel.Siachen Glacier has the world's highest helipad built by India at Point Sonam, 21,000 ft (6,400 m) above the sea level, which is used to supply troops. India also installed the world's highest telephone booth on the glacier.Apart from the Indian and Pakistani military presence, the glacier region is unpopulated,the nearest civilian settlement is at the village of Warshi situated 10miles from the Indian army base camp.Road only go ,as far as the Indian military base camp at Dzingrulma, 72km from the top of the glacier.
Every soldier have to serve siachen for 6 months.Even though there is a ceasefire since 2003 ,still both sides have lost men due to harsh climatic conditions.The courage of the jawans are tested to the full. Each has to acclimatize for a long period and undergo a pre induction training of three weeks which is severe. Mountaineering skills with skills required for the war are thoroughly instilled through training. Still the snow, cold, wind and the enemy fire, all takes it toll. Almost all regiment that go up the glacier for posting ,lose men.
Despite of all the hardships,Indian soldiers stand strong by virtue of sheer courage and sacrifice in the line of duty,in this treacherous terrain ,guarding India.
In the coming days ,we will bring to you photos from Siachen ,to give you a glimpse of the hardship our soldiers face ,while serving the motherland.
Jai Hind
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30 th anniversary of #Op_Rajiv
Though we are late by 3 days posting this special history post but last 26 June was the 30 th anniversary of Op Rajiv launched in June 1987 was an unprecedented military operation launched above the height of 21,000 ~ ft where professional mountaineers needs proper planning and training let alone fighting a war.
Remember. the height of highest peak Mount Everest is itself 29,000 ft and here we are talking of fighting a battle which was fought at the height of 21,000, first time anywhere on the entire planet.
This is the indomitable spirit of Indian soldiers.
================================
It begins 3 years after Indian Army seized control of Bilafond La & Sia La and consolidated it's positions, effectively denying Pak army the access to Siachen glacier.
However, a section of Pakistani special forces 3 SSG under it's JCO Subedar Attaullah Muhammad managed to occupy the southern shoulder of Bilafond La pass. This enabled the pak army to dominate entire Bilafond La area.
An observation post top of this feature gives a clear view up to 20 km on each side. The Pakistanis had occupied this peak and established a post called #Qaid_post without the Indian Army at Bilafond la or on Amar or Sonam post getting the wind of the operation.
Indians only came to know in April 1987 when Pak MMG opened fire at Indian troops at Sonam Post 1500 mts below Qaid post killing 2 Indian soldier of 5 Bihar Regt, this was followed by intermittent incident of firing on Indian supply helicopters came under frequent fire from Qaid post. The Indians were caught by surprise and manning the Indian posts Amar and Sonam became untenable.
So Qaid post had to be captured at any cost !
The problem was that Qaid was located at 85 degree incline for over 500 mts to climb, silently and without detection as Pakistanis sitting on the Top.
So the plan was formulated by Brig CS Nugyal commander 102 Brigade. Brig Nugyal a Sikh regimental officer known for his impeccable integrity and courage who had major tasks in hand - consolidate Indian positions and eliminate Pakistanis getting upper hand on Saltoro.
5 Bihar was replaced by 8 JAK LI (Jammu Kashmir light infantry). It was decided to send a 9 men reconnaissance patrol under Lt Rajiv Pandey. Lama helicopter which could only transport one troop at a time took 3 weeks and 35 sorties to transport 9 men and required resources.
This team was able to fix ropes but was detected by Pakis and 8 Indian soldiers along with Lt Pandey and his JCO were martyred. The officer posthumously awarded Vir Chakra. It was in his honor that the operation was named #op_Rajiv
Though the death of 2/Lt Pandey was tragic the command was even more determined to succeed. What was more tragic that the bodies of the dead lay for three weeks in front of them; unrecoverable due to shelling and pak visual domination.
A second task force of 50 men was quickly selected under Major Varinder Singh Minhas. The Indian posts around Qaid were reinforced. and Qaid post had only left with one route to replenish supplies.
Out of the 50 men task force; two assaults one platoon under Major Varinder Singh himself and another under Subedar Sansar Chand had to be aborted with 2 casualties due to bad weather,communication gap and failure to find the fixed ropes.
Eventually the last attack was led by Naib Subedar Bana Singh along with Rifleman Chunni Lal, Laxman das, Om Raj and Kashmir Chand. The weather was so bad that they wondered if it was day or night.
As the soldiers climbed the 85 degree incline, all their limbs were aching forcing them to look for rest at every 10 minutes to catch some breath and give some respite to their aching legs and arms.
To reach the post Bana Singh and his men used the mountaineering technique called "lumbering up"
As they reached the top, undetected; there was a single Bunker on Qaid post. Bana Singh opened the entrance and throw his grenade inside. Bana and his men set their LMG on a single shot since it could not fire in Burst mode in that extreme climatic conditions.
As the Pakistanis. rushed out from their Bunker a short but intense close quarter battle (CQB) took place in which 6 Pakistani soldiers killed, 3 in hand to hand combat.
Subedar Atta Muhammad 3rd. Coy Shaheen SSG was killed and few of the injured fell off or jumped off the cliff. For this bravery Subedar Atta Mohammed was posthumously awarded one of Pakistani highest military award Sitara E Jurrat.
After capturing "Qiad post" the dead bodies of Pakistani SSG commandos were brought down the post wrapped in a parachute cloth. In a flag meeting the bodies of Pakistanis were returned to Pakistani Army in full military honor.
According to Pakistani Col Ashfaq Ali, the Indian army preserved the bodies of Pak soldiers with honor and Indians wrote a holy Islamic "Kalima" on the coffins.
For India Subedar Bana Singh was awarded highest military award Param Vir Chakra (PVC). Qaid post was renamed "Bana post" in his honor.
Subedar Sansar Chand was awarded Mahavir Chakra (MvC)
Along with 7 Vir Chakras and 1 Sena Medal. The CO and commander were awarded UYSM - uttam yuddha sewa medal.
================================
Pics
1. Subedar (R) Bana Singh
2. Majestic Bana Top in Siachen
Though we are late by 3 days posting this special history post but last 26 June was the 30 th anniversary of Op Rajiv launched in June 1987 was an unprecedented military operation launched above the height of 21,000 ~ ft where professional mountaineers needs proper planning and training let alone fighting a war.
Remember. the height of highest peak Mount Everest is itself 29,000 ft and here we are talking of fighting a battle which was fought at the height of 21,000, first time anywhere on the entire planet.
This is the indomitable spirit of Indian soldiers.
================================
It begins 3 years after Indian Army seized control of Bilafond La & Sia La and consolidated it's positions, effectively denying Pak army the access to Siachen glacier.
However, a section of Pakistani special forces 3 SSG under it's JCO Subedar Attaullah Muhammad managed to occupy the southern shoulder of Bilafond La pass. This enabled the pak army to dominate entire Bilafond La area.
An observation post top of this feature gives a clear view up to 20 km on each side. The Pakistanis had occupied this peak and established a post called #Qaid_post without the Indian Army at Bilafond la or on Amar or Sonam post getting the wind of the operation.
Indians only came to know in April 1987 when Pak MMG opened fire at Indian troops at Sonam Post 1500 mts below Qaid post killing 2 Indian soldier of 5 Bihar Regt, this was followed by intermittent incident of firing on Indian supply helicopters came under frequent fire from Qaid post. The Indians were caught by surprise and manning the Indian posts Amar and Sonam became untenable.
So Qaid post had to be captured at any cost !
The problem was that Qaid was located at 85 degree incline for over 500 mts to climb, silently and without detection as Pakistanis sitting on the Top.
So the plan was formulated by Brig CS Nugyal commander 102 Brigade. Brig Nugyal a Sikh regimental officer known for his impeccable integrity and courage who had major tasks in hand - consolidate Indian positions and eliminate Pakistanis getting upper hand on Saltoro.
5 Bihar was replaced by 8 JAK LI (Jammu Kashmir light infantry). It was decided to send a 9 men reconnaissance patrol under Lt Rajiv Pandey. Lama helicopter which could only transport one troop at a time took 3 weeks and 35 sorties to transport 9 men and required resources.
This team was able to fix ropes but was detected by Pakis and 8 Indian soldiers along with Lt Pandey and his JCO were martyred. The officer posthumously awarded Vir Chakra. It was in his honor that the operation was named #op_Rajiv
Though the death of 2/Lt Pandey was tragic the command was even more determined to succeed. What was more tragic that the bodies of the dead lay for three weeks in front of them; unrecoverable due to shelling and pak visual domination.
A second task force of 50 men was quickly selected under Major Varinder Singh Minhas. The Indian posts around Qaid were reinforced. and Qaid post had only left with one route to replenish supplies.
Out of the 50 men task force; two assaults one platoon under Major Varinder Singh himself and another under Subedar Sansar Chand had to be aborted with 2 casualties due to bad weather,communication gap and failure to find the fixed ropes.
Eventually the last attack was led by Naib Subedar Bana Singh along with Rifleman Chunni Lal, Laxman das, Om Raj and Kashmir Chand. The weather was so bad that they wondered if it was day or night.
As the soldiers climbed the 85 degree incline, all their limbs were aching forcing them to look for rest at every 10 minutes to catch some breath and give some respite to their aching legs and arms.
To reach the post Bana Singh and his men used the mountaineering technique called "lumbering up"
As they reached the top, undetected; there was a single Bunker on Qaid post. Bana Singh opened the entrance and throw his grenade inside. Bana and his men set their LMG on a single shot since it could not fire in Burst mode in that extreme climatic conditions.
As the Pakistanis. rushed out from their Bunker a short but intense close quarter battle (CQB) took place in which 6 Pakistani soldiers killed, 3 in hand to hand combat.
Subedar Atta Muhammad 3rd. Coy Shaheen SSG was killed and few of the injured fell off or jumped off the cliff. For this bravery Subedar Atta Mohammed was posthumously awarded one of Pakistani highest military award Sitara E Jurrat.
After capturing "Qiad post" the dead bodies of Pakistani SSG commandos were brought down the post wrapped in a parachute cloth. In a flag meeting the bodies of Pakistanis were returned to Pakistani Army in full military honor.
According to Pakistani Col Ashfaq Ali, the Indian army preserved the bodies of Pak soldiers with honor and Indians wrote a holy Islamic "Kalima" on the coffins.
For India Subedar Bana Singh was awarded highest military award Param Vir Chakra (PVC). Qaid post was renamed "Bana post" in his honor.
Subedar Sansar Chand was awarded Mahavir Chakra (MvC)
Along with 7 Vir Chakras and 1 Sena Medal. The CO and commander were awarded UYSM - uttam yuddha sewa medal.
================================
Pics
1. Subedar (R) Bana Singh
2. Majestic Bana Top in Siachen
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I heard one of the guys from my neighbouring village was posted in Siachen once.
I'll try to get in contact with him :bounce:
I'll try to get in contact with him :bounce:
