RUINS OF St.AUGUSTINE CHURCH OF OLD GOA

Old Goa has the credit of having a number of churches which have been included in UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Among these are the ruins of St.Augustine church which was perhaps the largest one in Goa . The Church of St Augustine was constructed by the joint efforts of 12 Augustian Friars after they arrived in Goa on 3rd September 1572 AD. They built the church on the Holy Hill at Old Goa. The construction of the church was completed by 1602 AD. A ban was imposed by the Portuguese government against the Augustines. The church and the convent thereafter were deserted.

The ruins of 46-metre high Bell Tower without the bell can be seen from some distance and attract attention of visitors. Five storied arched belfry tower built of laterite formed part of facade of the church facing east. This tower is one of the four towers of St. Augustine Church. The Church had eight richly adorned chapels and four altars and a convent with numerous cells . The ruins of chapels altars and extensive convent with numerous cells can be seen even today around the tower. The bell was first placed in the Fort Aguada Light House, where it remained from 1841 to 1871 AD. Finally it was put in the church of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception at Panaji in 1871 AD and it is still in working condition. The remaining tower is one of four towers shown in sketch below.

Western view of 46 Meter Bell Tower

Elevation sketch of Church

Bell Tower Another view

Stones of fallen Church

It is reported that the convent was used for missionary and charity work by the charitable institution of the Misericordia .The church buildings finally fell due to neglect .and resulted in the collapse on 8 September 1842. The Government appropriated the property and sold the materials of the remains of the church in 1843. The facade and half of the tower fell in 1931.

Remains of Convent

Archeological Survey of India has undertaken excavation as well restoration work of this monument which has being going on for some years now. When I last visited in January 2006 I noticed lot of activity.

Tiles being placed in position

Tiles fixed in wall

Stone Column

Main Altar

I was very keen to present here some old pictures of this massive structure. After lot of search I located a blog by Mr Jose F P Lourenco <joselourenco@rediffmail.com> He writes “I've saved the best photograph for last. I found this in my late uncle's chest while cleaning the musty old attic. It's from a 'Souvenir da Velha Cidade de Goa' by the venerable photographers Souza & Paul. The back cover of this photograph collection reads 'Unico Representante na India Portuguesa das makinas fotograficas Rolleiflex e Rolleicord' !” The sketch above has been taken from same blog courtesy .Mr Lourenco .

Ramesh Lalwani

18.06.2008

SINKING of INS KHURKI

9th December 1971 was the saddest day in the history of Indian Navy as on this day Indian Navy suffered largest wartime causality loosing 178 sailors and 18 officers including Capt. Mahendra Nath Mulla who chose to go down along with ship as an old tradition,-“captains don’t abandon their ships”

One of the survivors COMMANDER Manu Sharma hasn’t forgotten the night of December. Speaking to The Indian Express correspondent he said, “I remember when the ship was sinking after being hit by a Pakistani submarine PNS Hangor, there was a small hatch escape from where we were puling the sailors and everyone was trying to save his life. There was a moment which even made a person like me cry. My captain M N Mulla pushed me and Lieutenant Kundan Mall from the ship and said you go ahead, do not worry about me. When Kundan Mall and I started swimming under water, after a while I lost track of Mall. And I as looked around for him I saw Captain Mulla holding the top of the ship’s railing with a cigar in his mouth. Those were the last minutes for INS Khukri and Captain Mulla, who choose not to abandon the ship,” His daughter Ameeta Mulla Wattal speaking to The Hindu correspondent during release of book The sinking of INS Khukri - Survivors' stories, by Maj.Gen. (retd.) Ian Cardozo, recently, wondered, "I suppose he saw himself as nurtured by the traditions of the sea that required him to stay with his vessel. One such man is enough to bring honour to an entire nation for a life time."

After reading these news clippings, I thought of compiling this article about one of heroes of 1971 war, Captain M.N.Mulla and the loss ok INS Khukri

Events leading to fateful night

Immediately after bombing of Indian airports by Pakistan on evening of 3rd December, suspecting presence of Pakistan submarines in Kutch area, Indian Navy made attempts to intercept submarine broadcasts on West Coast. Results indicated possible position of submarine southwest of Diu on 7/8 December. Diu was assembly area for our ships to be deployed for missile attack on Karachi. Presence of submarine in area was cause of great concern. The 14th Frigate squadron comprising of the vessels INS Khukri, Kirpan and Kuthar had sailed from Bombay on 2^nd December. However, Kuthar had suffered a boiler room explosion on 4^th December and was towed back to Bombay by the Kirpan for repair. The odds were heavily in favor of Pakistan submarine Hangor, the Indian Navy could not allow threat by Pakistan at our doorstep.

Admiral Kohli was the Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command in 1971.He decided to deploy the 14 Frigate Squadron along with the Navy's latest Seaking anti submarine helicopters operating from Bombay to eliminate the submarine Hangor threat off Diu. Captain MN Mulla was Senior Officer of the Squadron.The Seaking helicopters were to operate in the southern sector of the search area closer to Bombay and thereby have longer time on task. The frigates were to operate in the northern sector of the search area, closer to Diu Head.

Admiral Kohli his book, "We Dared - Maritime Operations in the 1971 Indo Pak War" published in 1989 states:

"Where the Pakistan Navy scored over the Indian Navy was in their submarine arm. The French Daphne class submarines were the most modern conventional submarines, with sensors and armament far superior to not only our submarine but also our anti submarine frigates. This is how the KHUKRI was detected by a Daphne much before the frigate became aware of the submarine's presence."

"As expected there were sonar contacts and reports of occasional sightings of periscopes by Indian ships and maritime reconnaissance aircraft. There were subsequently confirmed sighting reports of an enemy submarine in the area west of Diu Head. Direction Finder bearings obtained of a submarine which had transmitted a wireless message to Karachi also confirmed the position. This submarine was a potential threat to our shipping and it was decided by the Western Naval Command to eliminate this threat. The 14th anti submarine squadron comprising KHUKRI (F14), KIRPAN and KUTHAR was the only force available for the task, together with some Seakings."

"Urgent operational orders for a hunt were prepared in consultation with Captain MN Mulla, Senior Officer of the Squadron, requiring the squadron to sail on 8 December for the last known position of the submarine. KUTHAR's problems were too serious to permit early readiness of the ship for sea. After considering the gravity of the situation and in consultation with F 14, who accepted decreased Anti Submarine capability of the two ships, KHUKRI and KIRPAN were sailed for the hunt."

Admiral further states:

"While in the process of hunting, the enemy submarine with her superior sonar facility, obtained contact of KHUKRI before her own detection by the ship and struck KHUKRI by a salvo of three torpedoes in quick succession. The ship sank in a matter of minutes at 2055 on 9^th December, taking down with her 18 officers and 176 men including the Commanding Officer, Captain MN Mulla. It was a serious blow in an encounter in which the superior underwater destruction capability and its allied weapons systems of a modern submarine turned the scales and thus the hunter became the victim."

KIRPAN, who was searching for the submarine together with KHUKRI, reported detecting torpedoes going past her at the time KHUKRI was torpedoed. She took vigorous evasive action and fired mortars on the torpedo bearing. After a few salvos, her mortars went non operational. KIRPAN now faced a dilemma - should she rescue KHUKRI's survivors - either by going amidst them on a dark night or should she lower her boats to rescue survivors. Both actions would require KIRPAN to stop and this would make her an easy target for the submarine, if it chose to attack KIRPAN. Or should KIRPAN leave the area, repair her mortars and return to the area with an additional ship to rescue the survivors and start hunting the submarine? This however would give the submarine time to get away from the scene of the sinking and consequently greatly enlarge the area to be searched. The CO of KIRPAN decided to withdraw from the scene and return later.”

Captain M.N.Mulla was awarded Maha Vir Charka posthumously.

Lessons Learnt

There was considerable debate about sinking of Khukri, particularly in view of heavy loss of life. The issues about advisability of deploying Khukri and Kirpan to hunt much superior submarine,Kirpan leaving the scene without saving more sailors,slow speed movement of Khukri as against tactical doctrine of high speed etc were debated.Some of these actions were justifiable and certain follow up actions were initiated. In conclusion Admiral Hiranandani states:

“The lesson learnt from the loss of the KHUKRI was that longer range sonars and longer range weapons had to be inducted if ships were to have a fighting chance against modern submarines and their long range homing torpedoes.

Immediate action was taken to improve the anti submarine capability of the Leander Class frigates then under construction in Mazagon Docks at Bombay.

In retrospect, KHUKRI's tragic loss did not go in vain.”

INS KHUKRI

http://indiannavy.nic.in/picture_gallery/KHUKRI_OLD.jpg

INS Khukri Memorial
INS Khukri memorial was inaugurated on 15th December, 1999 in memory of the officers and the sailors who chose to go down with the warship INS KHUKRI when it was hit by a salve of three torpedoes fired from PNS Hangor, a Pakistani Submarine on 9/12/1971 during the INDO-PAK war. INS Khukri which sank 40 nautical miles off the coast of Diu taking down a crew of 18 officers and 176 sailors. The memorial constitutes a model of INS Khukri encased in a glass house, placed atop a hillock facing the sea. The memorial was built as a tribute to the officers and sailors of the Indian Navy who laid down their life for the country.

CAPTAIN MAHENDRA NATH MULLA ,MAHA VIR CHARKA (Posthumous)

Born: 15^th May 1926 Gorakhpur U.P.

Father Sh.T.N.Mulla

Commision: 1^st May 1948

Religion: Hindu

CITATION

Two ships of the Indian Navy under the command of Captain M.N.Mulla, senior officer of frigates squadron, were assigned the task of locating and destroying a Pakistani submarine in North Arabian Sea. During these operations on the night of 9 December 1971,INS “Khukri” was hit by torpedoes fired by enemy submarine and sank. Having decided to abandon the ship, Captain Mulla without regard to his personal safety, supervised the arrangements for rescue of his ship’s company in very cool, calm and methodical manner. Even at later stage whilst the ship was sinking, Capt Mulla showed presence of mind and continued to direct rescue operations and refused to save himself by giving his own life-saving gear to a sailor. Having directed as many of his men as possible to leave the ship, Captain Mulla went back to bridge to see what further rescue operations could be performed. In doing so, Captain Mulla was last seen going down the ship. His action and behavior and the example he set have been in keeping with highest tradition of the services. Captain Mulla displayed conspicuous gallantry and dedication.

Ramesh Lalwani26.02.07

Ref :Transition to Triumph-History of the Indian Navy 1965-1975 by Vice Admiral GM Hiranandani PVSM, AVSM, NM, PhD (Retd)

LAST JOURNEY OF PNS GHAZI

It was night of 3^rd December 1971.Late Roshan Lal, my constant companion during our survey assignments and I had reached a forest bungalow in Chittor district of Andhra Pradesh. We were sitting on dinning table waiting for dinner to arrive. There was no electric connection in the forest bungalow. The caretaker had arranged candle light so we were to have “candle light “dinner. I was struggling with my 2 band Murphy transistor radio trying to pick up news .Suddenly heard an announcement that Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi will address to the nation. Within minutes she was on air and we heard her saying "I speak to you at a moment of great peril to our country and our people. Some hours ago, soon after 5.30 pm on the 3rd December, Pakistan had launched a full scale war against us.......Today a war in Bangladesh has become a war on India....I have no doubt that by the united will of the people, the wanton and unprovoked aggression of Pakistan should be decisively and finally repelled.....Aggression must be met and the people of India will meet it with fortitude , determination, discipline and utmost unity."

Earlier during the day which I can never forget, we were traveling in a Jeep from Bangalore towards Madras, as it was called then, on the National Highway passing through Chittor and Vellore Districts. Our objective was to select radio relay station sites for connecting Bangalore with Madras. We had visited some sites in Chittor and now we were looking for a possible site to link Tirutanni in Tamil Nadu. One possible location selected after studying Survey of India topographical maps was a place south of National Highway. We had to take our Jeep off National highway some 20 Kms to hill top close to a hamlet. It had rained earlier during day and streams were full of water. Our Jeep got struck in one of the streams and it is here our trouble started. As a part of our equipment, we were carrying a box containing Thedolite, a cylindrical shell for keeping Survey of India contour maps, a compass, tripods etc. One of villagers, who appeared to be leader, had heard on radio that a Pakistani sub marine was suspected to be plying off Andhra coast .He was telling villagers that we were Pakistanis carrying bomb with us. About 100 people gheroed us for more than an hour. We were unable to explain that we were Government of India officials as crowd understood only Telegu . Luckily a school teacher was passing by. He enquired from crowd about commotion and came forward to speak to us in English. We explained to him our mission then only crowd understood and melted away after realising their mistake. The teacher took us to his well kept house and offered us nice hot cup of coffee and some hot snacks. The villagers were now very keen that we select the site in their village. We visited the proposed site but finally did not find it suitable. Later we came to know that Pakistan submarine Ghazi was sunk by Indian Navy off Vishakapatnam coast on midnight of 3/4^th Dec. This incident keeps coming back to my thoughts every year on Bangla Desh liberation day which is celebrated as Vijay Diwas in India.

Lighting candles on Vijay Diwas at India Gate

The History of PNS Ghazi

USS Diabloa was acquired by Pakistan from the USA on Lease in 1964 and renamed PNS Ghazi. This Tench Class Submarine was laid down on11th August 1944, at Portsmouth Navy Yard in The USA. She was Launched on 1st December 1944 and Commissioned as USS Diablo (SS-479) on 31st March 1945; designated (AGSS-479), 1962 She was decommissioned and struck from the US Naval Register, She was transferred (leased) to Pakistan under terms of the Security Assistance Program and Commissioned as PNS Ghazi on 1st June 1964.She was lost with all members on 4th December 1971

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,570 tons., Submerged: 2,414 t.ons; Length 311' 8"; Beam 27' 4"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 knots, Submerged 8.75 knots; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10knots; Submerged Endurance, 48 hours at 2knots; Operating Depth, 400 ft; Complement 7 Officers 69 Enlisted; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 5"/25 deck gun, two 20mm guns, two .30 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear with four Fairbanks Morse main generator engines, 5,400HP, Fuel Capacity, 113,510 gal., two Elliot Motor Co. main motors with 2,740HP, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers

PNS Ghazi (former USS Diablo)

http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08479.htm

PNS Ghazi was pride submarine of Pakistan. It was first deployed in Arabian Sea off Bombay Coast in 1965 War. The Captain had claimed to have fired 4 torpedoes on the INS Brahmaputra on 22 September and "heard" 3 hits. Ghazi returned to Karachi on 23 September, where he was decorated for having "sunk" the Indian frigate Brahmaputra. In fact the Brahmaputra had not been attacked as claimed by Pakistan and was fighting fit.

Sinking of Ghazi-Indian Version

Ghazi was again deployed during 1971 during Bangla Desh war. Situation in East Pakistan was deteriorating. India was building world opinion against Pakistan atrocities in East Pakistan. Pakistan anticipating possible support of Mukti Bahini by Indian forces moved Ghazi on 14^th November 1971 to Bay of Bengal ,what turned out be her last journey. The objective was to mine Vizagapatnam(vizag) port where aircraft carrier Vikrant along with other ships was harboured. PNS Ghazi reached Bay of Bengal on 20^th November. Vice Admiral N.Krishnan, the flag officer Commander- in- Chief of the Indian Navy's Eastern fleet had decided to move INS Vikrant aircraft carrier away from Vizag as he anticipated possible attack by Ghazi on Vizag Harbor. Vikrant had already sailed away to an unknown location 10 days before the Ghazi began searching for her near Vizag. , It was decided that a number of deceptive measures would be put in order to fool the enemy into the thinking the Vikrant was near Vizag. The Indian Navy intentionally breached security by making an unclassified signal in the form of a private Telegram allegedly from one of sailor of Vikrant asking about the welfare of his mother who was "seriously ill". The Indian Navy's deception plan worked and Ghazi moved towards Vizag.

In his book ‘No Way But Surrender - An Account of the Indo Pakistan War in the Bay of Bengal 1971', Vice Admiral N Krishnan, the then Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, states:

"The RAJPUT sailed before midnight of 3/4 December and, on clearing harbor, proceeded along the narrow channel. Having got clear, the Commanding Officer saw what he thought was a severe disturbance in the water, about half a mile ahead. He rightly assumed that this might be a submarine diving. He closed the spot at speed and dropped at the position two charges. It has been subsequently established that the position where the charges were dropped was so close to the position of the wreck of the GHAZI that some damage to the latter is a very high probability. The RAJPUT, on completion of her mission, proceeded on her course in order to carry out her main mission. A little later, a very loud explosion was heard by the Coast Battery who reported the same to the Maritime Operations Room. The time of this explosion was 0015 hours. The clock recovered from the GHAZI showed that it had stopped functioning at the same time. Several thousand people waiting to hear the Prime Minister's broadcast to the nation also heard the explosion and many came out thinking that it was an earthquake”

Historical Photo showing Lieutenant General A.A.K. 'Tiger'

Niazi, Commander of the Pakistan Army signing the

Instrument of Surrender in the presence of Lieutenant

General Jagjit Singh Aurora. Standing from left is Vice Admiral

N. Krishnan, Air Marshal H.C. Dewan, Lieutenant General

Sagat Singh and Major General J.F.R. Jacob.

The sinking of PNS Ghazi was achieved by Lt.Cdr Inder Singh of the INS Rajput as well as the man behind the scene Vice Admiral N Krishnan .Pakistan lost its pride sub marine along with commanding officer of the Ghazi, Zafar Mohammed Khan and 82 member crew .

Pakistani Version

Pakistan however has maintained that Ghazi sank when the mines it was laying were accidentally detonated. Another theory is that the explosive shock from one of the depth charges set off the torpedoes and mines (some of which may have been armed for laying) stored aboard the submarine

Sinking of Ghazi helped Indian Navy to completely blockade movement of Pak Navy towards Chittagong thus achieved major advantage over Pakistan Navy.

Ramesh Lalwani

19.02.07

"OPERATION VIJAY"-PARAM VIR CHAKRA WINNERS

People of J&K have faced three uncalled for wars from our neighbor Pakistan and latest intrusion in Kargil area in 1999 is fresh in our memory. Our armed forces had aptly responded these challenges and many a heroes have emerged showing their courage and valour to protect our mother land. There have been 21 awardees of Param Vir Charka since independence and Kargil war also named ‘Operation Vijay” has shown courage of four men who were awarded highest gallantry award the Param Vir Charka, 9 Maha Vir Charka 6 Kirti Charka , 25 Shuarya Cahakra and number of other decorations. IAF officers and men who provided air support to our ground forces also won 2 Vir Charka and 27 Vayu Sena Medals. Most of us would recall TV coverage of Kargil war on Star TV where reporter Bharka Dutt talked to Capt Vikram Batra who after capturing Point 5140 said Yeh Dil Maange More! Soon after capturing Point 5140, he had radioed his commanding officer and said jubilantly, "Yeh Dil Mange More!" This slogan had become popular with millions of Indians as a spirit of Indian patriotism.

Param Vir Chakra

Param Vir Chakra (PVC) is the highest gallantry award for officers and other enlisted personnel of all military branches of India for the highest degree of valour in the presence of the enemy. PVC is the post-Independence equivalent of the Victoria Cross. The PVC was established on January 26, 1950, by the President of India, with effect from August 15, 1947, and presently it is the second highest award of the Government of India after Bharat Ratna .

Recapitulating Operation Vijay

Every year forward posts in Ladakh area were vacated by Indian and Pakistani forces in winter and reoccupied in spring. In early May 1999, Pakistan forces occupied about 130 abandoned forward posts in Kargil sector before schedule return of Indian forces. The Pakistan Army set up bases on the vantage peaks in the Indian side of Kashmir. Initially, these incursions were not noticed. Pakistani forces had been resorting to heavy artillery fire to provide cover for the infiltrators. But a tip-off by a local shepherd in the Batalik sector, led to the exposure of the infiltration. The Pakistani forces had a clear line of sight from their observation posts on NH 1A which is main supply route to Ladakh. The Pakistani shelling of this arterial road posed the serious threat Indian supply lines of Leh. The majority of posts along the Line of Control were adjacent to the highway, and therefore it was essential for Indian forces to recapture these posts.

The Pakistani intruders had positioned themselves on Tololing Top, Tiger Hill, Pt 4875, Pt 4590, Pt 5100 and Pt 5140.The names of these hill tops( points) became familiar to the people of India as these were getting reported in press and electronic media during successes of Indian forces. Most of the posts in the vicinity of the highway were got cleared by mid-June. Some parts of the highway near Drass witnessed sporadic shelling until the end of the “Operation Vijay”. However some of the posts occupied by Pakistanis offered stiff resistance, including Tiger Hill ,Point 5140 .Last of infiltrators were cleared by 26^th July 1999. It was capture of these posts that our men showed their valour and won admiration of the people of India. Maps below indicate physical location of the hills mentioned.

source: Center for Contemporary Conflict) http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/research/kargil/war_in_kargil.pdf

Tiger Hill—The Conical hill in rear Photo by author

Here I have put together short biographical sketches and citations of 4 Paramvir Chakra awardees, two of whom were posthumous.

CAPTAIN VIKRAM BATRA

13 JAMMU AND KASHMIR RIFLES (IC 57556)

(POSTHUMOUS)

Vikram Batra was born on September 9th, 1974 in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, to Mr. G.L. Batra and Mrs. Jai Kamal Batra. Batra joined the Indian military academy in Dehradun in 1996, and was commissioned in the Indian Army as Lieutenant of the 13 Jammu and Kashmir Rifles at Sopore, in Jammu and Kashmir. He rose to the rank of Captain.

As mention above soon after capturing Point 5140, he radioed his commanding officer and said jubilantly, "Yeh Dil Mange More!" After taking rest for 4 - 5 days he proceeded towards Point 4750, Nick-named Sher Shah for his unstinting courage. He captured Point 4750 and hoisted the national flag. He also played a commendable role in the capture of Tiger Hill. He had dedicated himself and was determined for total victory.

CITATION

During ‘Operation Vijay’, on 20 June 1999, Captain Vikram Batra, Commander Delta Company was tasked to attack Point 5140. Captain Batra with his company skirted around the feature from the East and maintaining surprise reached within assaulting distance of the enemy. Captain Batra reorganized his column and motivated his men to physically assault the enemy positions. Leading from the front, he in a daredevil assault pounced on the enemy and killed four of them in a hand-to hand fight. On 7 July 1999, in another operation in the area Pt 4875, his company was tasked to clear a narrow feature with sharp cuttings on either side and heavily fortified enemy defenses that covered the only approach to it. For speedy operation, Captain Batra assaulted the enemy position along a narrow ridge and engaged the enemy in a fierce hand –to-hand fight and killed five enemy soldiers at point blank range. Despite sustaining grave injuries, he crawled towards the enemy and hurled grenades clearing the position with utter disregard to his personal safety, leading from the front, he rallied his men and pressed on the attack and achieved a near impossible military task in the face of heavy enemy fire. The officer, however, succumbed to his injuries. Inspired by his daredevil act, his troops fell upon the enemy with vengeance, annihilated them and captured Point 4875.

Captain Vikram Batra, thus, displayed the most conspicuous personal bravery and leadership of the highest order in the face of the enemy and made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

LIEUTENANT MANOJ KUMAR PANDEY

(POSTHUMOUS)

Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey was the son of Gopi Chand Pandey, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow-Uttar Pradesh, who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his courage and leadership during adverse times. IC 56959W Captain Manoj Pandey, PVC belonged to Sitapur in Uttar Pradesh. His was eldest in his family. He was educated at Uttar Pradesh Sainik School Lucknow. He had a keen interest in sports, and Boxing and Body Building in particular. His last words were, "Na Chodnu" (Don't Spare Them). In his personal diary he wrote "Some goals are so worthy, it's glorious even to fail".

He was commissioned in the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army. He forced back the intruders on June 11, 1999 at Batalik Sector in the Kargil war. He led his men to capture the Jubar top which was considered as important due to its strategic location. Quickly sizing up the situation, the young officer led his platoon along a narrow, treacherous ridge that led to the enemy position.

CITATION

Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Panday took part in a series of boldly led attacks during ‘operation Vijay ', forcing back the intruders with heavy losses in Battlik including the capture of Jaubar Top. On the night of 2/3 July 1999 during the advance to Khalubar as his platoon approached its final objective; it came under heavy and intense enemy fire from the surrounding heights. Lieutenant Pandey was tasked to clear the interfering enemy positions to prevent his battalion from getting day lighted, being in a vulnerable position. He quickly moved his platoon to an advantageous position under intense enemy fire, sent one section to clear the enemy positions from the right and himself proceeded to clear the enemy positions from the left. Fearlessly assaulting the first enemy position, he killed two enemy personnel and destroyed the second position by killing two more. He was injured on the shoulder and legs while clearing the third position. Undaunted and without caring for his grievous injuries, he continued to lead the assault on the fourth position urging his men and destroyed the same with a grenade, even as he got a fatal burst on his forehead. This singular daredevil act of Lieutenant Manoj Kumar Pandey provided the critical firm base for the companies, which finally led to capture of Khalubar. The officer, however, succumbed to his injuries.

Lieutenant Majoj Kumar Pandey, thus, displayed most conspicuous bravery, indomitable courage, outstanding leadership and devotion to duty and made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army.

GRENADIER YOGINDER SINGH YADAV

18 GRENADIERS (2690-572)

A resident of Aurangabad Ahir under the Bulandshahr District, Uttar Pradesh he is a 26-year-old soldier. While he and his elder Jitendra have both been in the Army since December 1996, his younger brother Deepak is a student. He lost his father recently and his mother Shanmta Devi looks after the family farms.

CITATION

Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav was part of the leading team of a Ghatak Platoon tasked to capture Tiger Hill on the night of ¾ July 1999. The approach to the top was steep, snowbound and rocky. Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav, unmindful of the danger involved, volunteered to lead and fix the rope for his team to climb up. On seeing the team, the enemy opened intense automatic, grenade, rocket and artillery fire killing the Commander and two of his colleagues and the platoon was stalled. Realising the gravity of the situation, Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav crawled up to the enemy position to silence it and in the process sustained multiple bullet injuries. Unmindful of his injuries and in the hail of enemy bullets, Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav continued climbing towards the enemy positions, lobbed grenades, continued firing from his weapons and killed four enemy soldiers in close combat an silenced the automatic fire. Despite multiple bullet injuries, he refused to be evacuated and continued the charge. Inspired by his gallant act, the platoon charged on the other positions with renewed punch and captured Tiger Hill Top.

Grenadier Yogender Singh Yadav displayed the most conspicuous courage, indomitable gallantry, grit and determination under extreme adverse circumstances.

RIFLEMAN SANJAY KUMAR

13 JAMMU AND KASHMIR RIFLES (13760533)

He was born on 3rd March 1976 at village Bakain, Distt. Bilaspur to Shri Durga Ram. He did his schooling in the Govt. Senior Secondary School Kalol., He worked as driver in private company during 1993-94 in Delhi.He was selected in Indian Army in 4th June 1996. He got posting in the 13th Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. His village had sent many brave men in the Army. His uncle is in the Army while his second brother is also a sepoy with the Indo-Tibet Border Police (ITBP).

CITATION

Rifleman Sanjay Kumar volunteered to be the leading scout of the attacking column tasked to capture area Flat Top of Point 4875 in the Mushkoh Valley on 4 July 1999. During the attack when enemy automatic fire from one of the sangars posed stiff opposition and stalled the column, Rifleman Sanjay Kumar realizing the gravity of the situation and with utter disregard to his personal safety, charged at the enemy. In the ensuing hand-to- hand combat, he killed three of the intruders and was himself seriously injured. Despite his injuries, he charged onto the second sangar. Taken totally by surprise, the enemy left behind a Universal Machine Gun and started running.

Rifleman Sanjay Kumar picked up the UMG and killed the fleeing enemy. Although bleeding profusely, he refused to be evacuated. The brave action on his part motivated his comrades and they took no notice of the treacherous terrain and charged onto the enemy and wrested the area Flat Top from the hands of the enemy.

Rifleman Sanjay Kumar displayed most conspicuous gallantry, cool courage and devotion to duty of an exceptionally high order in the face of the enemy.

Source http://indianarmy.nic.in/PVC/photo_19.htm

Operation Vijay

July 26, 1999 will go down in Indian history as a day when the Indian forces achieved a glorious victory over Pakistani army in Kargil sector . The day has since been marked as Kargil Vijay Diwas (Victory Day) in India. On this day nation remembers 527 brave soldiers and airmen who laid down their lives for the success of "Operation Vijay”

I have put together courageous feats of only four of soldiers who have earned highest military honours. There are many more that got recognition and others who laid down their lives to keep Indian National flag flying on India territory. Long live India and the spirit of freedom

Ramesh Lalwani

6^th Oct 2006

.

SABRE KILLERS- KEELOR BROTHERS

It was immediately after the 20 day war with Pakistan in 1965, I saw a documentary film from Film Division which has been etched in my memory . The narrator said “watch that Pak Sabre plane flying over Indian territory and Ghat flown by Squardon Leader Keelor chasing it. Soon Knat fired a missile and it hit Pak plane and the Sabre was shown hitting ground and going in flames. Though Keelor brothers did not get highest military honors but they had became household names during the 1965 war for their daring air raids deep into Pakistani territory as pilots of the small Indian Air Force Gnats. In this article I have collected information about these two brothers from internet including Bharat Rakshak.

Air chief Marshal Arjan Singh said in an interview “Gnats were very small aircraft, difficult to spot on the radar. As you know radar beams hit the metal of the aircraft and on return gives the blip. The smaller the aircraft, smaller the blip. So Gnats became famous. Even the radar controller would take time to decide if it is a fighter aircraft. We found Gnats very maneuverable. For fighters the most important thing is turning in a circle. If you turn faster your attack is safe. This aircraft had a small turning circle. But it was giving us lots of technical problems.

We lost many test pilots in accidents involving Gnats. We didn't have much confidence till one of the Keelor brothers shot from the aircraft in the Chamb-Jaurian area. They both fought very well and both got the Veer Chakra.

Once one of the brothers shot down a superior Pakistani aircraft, our people got tremendous confidence. Then everybody wanted to fight using Gnats. “

Knat was a much smaller aircraft as compared with Sabre. Specifications of two are indicated below for comparison:

Manufacturer:

Folland Aircraft (later, Hawker Siddeley)

Designation:

FO-141

Nickname:

Gnat

Type:

Fighter

Specifications

Length:

29' 9''

Height:

8' 9''

Wingspan:

22' 2''

Gross Weight:

6,650 to 8,885 lbs.

Propulsion

No. of Engines:

1

Power plant:

Bristol Siddeley Orpheus 701 turbojet

Pounds of static thrust (each):

4,520

Performance

Range:

500 miles (1 hour 30 min)

Max Speed:

695 mph (Mach 0.98)

Designed in a private venture by Folland Aircraft, Ltd. in the United Kingdom, designers wanted to see just how small they could make an aircraft, yet still be effective. Intended for sale as an export, India, Yugoslavia and Finland purchased Gnats. India liked the aircraft so much, that the Bangalore Division of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. continued construction and Gnats were flown very successfully by the Indian Air Force. The little plane carried only 240 gallons of fuel internally and 60 gallons in two underwing jettisionable tanks.

Sabre Specifications

Specifications: orth American F-86F-30

Dimensions:

Wing span:

39 ft 1 in (11.91 m)

Length:

37 ft 0 in (11.27 m)

Height:

14 ft 0 in (4.26 m)

Wing Area:

288 sq ft (26.75 sq m)

Weights:

Empty:

10,815 lb (4,906 kg)

Gross T/O:

17,772 lb (8,061 kg)

Performance:

Maximum Speed:

688 mph (1,107 km/h) @ sea level.

Service Ceiling:

48,000 ft (14,630 m)

Cruising Speed:

513 mph (826 km/h)

Normal Range:

463 miles (745 km)

Maximum Range:

1,317 miles (2,120 km)

Powerplant:

Single J47-GE-27 (no afterburner) rated @ 5,910 lbs (2,708 kg) thrust

Armament:

Six .50 caliber M-3 machine guns - 265 rpg.
2,000 lb (907 kg) bombs or 16 x .5 in rockets.

In its 50 years of independence issue in 1997,India Today listed film star Nargis , Everest hero Tenzing Norgay and also in the top-gun bravado of the Keelor brothers, Denzil and Trevor, aces in wars with Pakistan as post-Independence heroes.

Wg Cdr(Retd) Trevor Joseph Keelor, Vr.C, VM

Sqn.Ldr.Treevor Jospeh Keelor Veer Chakra Vayu Medal

Got his first combat kill on 3^rd Sept 1965

(Photo courtesy IAF museum)

Born on December 8, 1934, in Lucknow, Trevor Joseph Keelor had studied in St Francis’ High School, Lucknow, St Georges College, Mussorie, and La Martiniere College, Lucknow, before joining the Indian Air Force in 1953. Trevor retired from his service in 1978 .Trevor Joseph Keelor passed away on April 27, 2002.

CITATION

Vayu Sena Medal

On the 5th February 1964, Flt Lt Keelor was detailed to ferry a Gnat from Poona to Palam in a formation of five aircraft. The last part of the flight had to be undertaken at a height of 41,000 feet. While descending to land at Palam, he discovered, at a height of 15,000 feet that there was no response from the engine to the throttle movements. After informing the leader, Flt Lt Kellor immediately broke off the formation and attempted a landing at Palam, knowing fully well that previous attempts to force land a Gnat had resulted in fatal or serious injury to the pilot. With great presence of mind and careful handling, he accomplished the forced landing successfully without any damage to the aircraft. Flt Lt Trevor Kellor displayed courage, presence of mind and a high standard of professional skill in the best traditions of the Indian Air Force

Veer Chakra

On 3rd September 1965, on receipt of a report that a formation of Pakistani fighters were circling over our Army position in the Chhamb Sector of J&K, a formation of Gnat aircraft was ordered to intercept the intruders.

Approaching the area, Sq Ldr Trevor Keelor, who was a section leader in the Gnat formation, sighted enemy F-86 Sabre jets and engaged them in air battle. When the combat was in progress, F-104 Starfighters of the Pakistani Air Force also joined in.

Unmindful of the numerical superiority of the enemy, Sq Ldr Keelor chased a Sabre jet and pressed home his attack until the enemy aircraft caught fire and disintegrated in the air. This was the first victory of our Air Force in the air battles against the Pakistani Air Force.

In this operation, Sqn Ldr Keelor displayed courage and leadership of a high order in the best traditions of the Air Force.

Air Marshal (Retd) Denzil Joseph Keelor, AVSM, KC, VSM, Vr.C

Sqn.Ldr.Denzil Keelor Veer Chakra the elder Keelor shot Pak Sabre on 19^th Sept 1965

(Photo courtesy IAF museum)

Air Marshal(Red) Denzil Keelor was born on 7^th Dec 1933 and studied in La Martinier college Lucknow.He joined IAF on 6^th Nov 1954.He had very eventful career and was honored with Veer Chakra,Visisth Sewa Medal,Keerti Chakra and Ati Visisht Sewa Medal. He rose to the rank of Air Marshal. He retired from service on in 1991He worked as President of YMCA for 10 years. He continues to be actively involved with a number of activities and presently is chairman of Special Olympics Bharat.

CITATION

PARAM VISHIST SEWA MEDAL

Awarded on 26^th Jan 1989 (Citation not available)

ATI VISHIST SEWA MEDAL

Awarded on 26^th Jan1986(Citation not available)

KIRTI CHAKRA

Gp. Capt. Keelor who had rich and wide combat experience and the destruction of a Sabre aircraft to his credit, was flying a MiG-21 U trainer on 27 Mar 78, when due to structural failure the canopy of the aircraft detached and flew off. Gp Capt Keelor felt sudden decompression and loss of control, but managed to fly back to base and execute a safe emergency landing without the canopy. Later on 17 May 78, during firing trials one of the 23 mm Cannon Shells exploded causing extensive damage and total electrical failure to his aircraft. He successfully executed another safe landing back at his airbase.

VEER CHAKRA

On 19th September 1965, Sqn Ldr Denzil Keelor was providing fighter escort to Mystere aircraft during a strike mission in the operations against Pakistan. His section of four Gnat aircraft was engaged by four enemy Sabre jet aircraft and the battle was fought at a height of less than 2,000 feet from the ground where enemy anti-aircraft guns were also active.

Under his guidance, his subsection leader shot down a Sabre jet aircraft. Thereafter Sqn Ldr Keelor himself engaged another Sabre jet and crippled it. Throughout the operations, Sqn Ldr Keelor was a source of inspiration to his pilots and ground personnel. His courage and devotion to duty were in the best traditions of the Air Force. For this he was awarded the Vir Chakra.

The Sabre kill by Denzil earned the Keelor family a unique distinction. Both the brothers now had Sabres to their credit and both earned the Vir Chakra, making it the first time brothers had won the Vir Chakra for identical feats.

Ramesh Lalwani

7.6.2006

JALLIANWALA BAGH-THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL

MEMORIAL PYLON

Jallianwala Bagh the National Memorial had become a place of pilgrimage for Indians even before the Independence .Situated just few hundred meters from sacred Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple), this memorial is reminder of massacre of hundreds of unarmed, defenseless Indians by a senior British military officer Brigadier -General Dyer on 13 April 1919 in the heart of Amritsar, the holiest city of the Sikhs, on a day sacred to them as the birth anniversary of the Khalsa.

GOLDEN TEMPLE

Recapitulating briefly the history of this unfortunate incident during British Raj, Brigadier-General Dyer in charge of Amritsar had, issued a proclamation prohibiting meetings and processions in the town. Jallianwala Bagh was an open enclosure with tall buildings on all the four sides with a narrow passage which led into it. It is said that about 25000 men, women and children had gathered to participate in a protest meeting against Rowlatt Act. They included Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians. General Dyer appeared on the scene with his armed troops and without any warning ordered firing, aimed at dispersing the crowd though he had blocked the only exit of enclosure. With escape route unavailable, there was a general stampede. Old men, women and children got crushed under those who trying to escape firing. To escape bullets many jumped to death in an open well now known as Martyr’s well.120dead bodies were later recovered from this well. General. Dyer left the ghastly scene along with his troops after they had exhausted their ammunition. Far from attending to the wounded, there was none to offer even water to the dying. According to the official version, 379 people were killed on the spot and thrice as many wounded to die later. The unofficial number of the dead runs into four figures.
A narrow entrance from outside road leads to the monument. The monument comprises a central 30-ft high memorial pylon, a four-sided tapering structure of red stone standing in the midst of a shallow tank, which was dry at time of my visit. The pylon is built with 300 slabs with Ashoka Chakra, the national emblem, cased on them. The martyr’s well , where a number of people jumped to escape firing and a number of building walls with bullet marks are sad reminder of the tragedy. A monument, befittingly named the Eternal Flame was inaugurated by Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of the Republic of India, on 13 April 1961.

Bullet Marks

NARROW ENTRANCE

ETERNAL FLAME

Everyday thousands of people visit the monument. There is no entrance fee as such no record of visitors is maintained. During my short visit a noticed group of school children visiting memorial

SCHOOL CHILDREN VISITING MEMORIAL

WAGAH BORDER BEATING RETREAT CEREMONY

A visit to Amritsar is not complete if one does not visit Wagah to witness daily beating retreat ceremony at Joint Check post at Wagah is some 25 Kms from Amritsar on Amritsar Lahore Road linking two major towns of Punjab. After Partition lakhs of people had trekked this road in those dark days following division of India.

The retreat ceremony attracts thousands tourists from both sides .Indian tourists commute in buses or taxis. Tourists are made to alight about 1 km from border and only persons with special permits are allowed entry closer to venue. Border Security Force(BSF) controls the area. India has built stands parallel to road which can accommodate more than 1000 people. The stand is some 200 meters from iron gates where ceremony takes places. Special permit holders get seats on the kerb on both sides of road.

People start arriving around 4 PM and take vantage positions. Latecomers take seats on road. BSF Jawans encourage young children to run down the road with national flag. Public address systems play patriotic songs with slogans like Bharat Mata ki Jai’ and announcements from time to time advising public not to use unparliamentary language against Pakistan .Simultaneously one can hear slogans from Pakistan side Pakistan Zindabad though not very clear due to distance.

The ceremony is performed as a perfectly coordinated daily ritual. . The ceremony starts 30 minutes before sunset and ends with, the flags of both countries pulled down and folded. BSF Jawans all 6 feet tall with handlebar moustaches and starched ceremonial uniform march pounding the ground with long strides, towards the gate. One Jawan stands attention at the gate. As sun sets couple of Jawans seek permission from commanding officer to lower the flag. Iron Gate is opened with a bang and two jawans slowly lower the flag. Simultaneous Pakistan Rangers in synchronized move lower Pak flag. The whole exercise is done with military precision. After lowering flag two Jawans respectfully fold it and march backwards. Third Jawan gently closes the door. With ceremony over the crowd in batches is allowed to come closer to gate.

BSF has constructed a nice lounge where guests are offered tea and snacks. While returning visitors can see a border pillar close to fence.

On day of our visit an NGO from Patiala had brought group of girls to witness the ceremony. At the end of ceremony these girls were lighting candle and wishing peace between two countries.

Ramesh Lalwani

Nov 2006