A Saga of Courage & Camaraderie
During the night of 2/3, the fence was cut in the AOR of 8 JAT, who detected it early morning of 03 Apr, informed the Formation & launched the opposite to track the infiltration tracks. From the footprints it was estimated to be a group of 5-6. Other units in vicinity were also mobilised & columns of 41 & 57 RR were pressed to establish a tight noose on possible escape routes.
Also, 4 Para was brought in, dropped by ALH on upper reaches to comb the area from top down. After establishing several dets and putting the area under surveillance using Quad-copter certain hotspots indicating possible locations of terrorist were identified. One such possible location was along a Nallah. The noose was further tightened with 8 JAT laying stops/ambushes on escape routes on the lower ridges & in the nal, while the 4 Para squad sweeping top down. At around 0430h the first contact was est, but the Terrorists managed to escape downwards along the nal. The JCO along with his squad started the chase in order to re-est the contact. At around 0830h contact was re-est.
As Sub Sanjeev along with Amit & Chhatrpal were trying to close in with the terrorist using a slight detour, unfortunately the snow gave in & the 3 of them slipped into the nal right in front of the terrorist. Despite the set back, and with grevious bullet injuries, they fired back & killed 2 terrorists. Ptr Amit sustained 15 bullet injuries while Sub Sanjeev & Ptr Chhatarpal also sustained numerous bullet injuries. Hav Devender & Ptr Bal Krishan charged in to extract their comrades without caring for their safety, & eliminated the balance 2 terrorists. 1 of the terrorists, the 5th one managed to run down the nal, but was eliminated by the stops of 8 JAT.
The squad of 4 Para (SF) fought bravely despite initial setback;
true saga of courage n camaraderie!