It was ten years ago that the Indian Army launched “Operation Vijay” on 26th May 1999 and Indian troops moved towards Pakistan occupied positions. Kargil Town was subjected to heavy shelling from high mountains and people were moved to adjacent villages.. 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.
Achievements of Ladakh Scouts
On 30th May Major Sonam Wangchuk of Indus Wing, Ladakh Scouts was assigned to occupy Ridge Line at a height of about 5500 m to preempt any possibility of occupation by Pakistan forces He was moving with a column. Suddenly, they were ambushed by enemy fire from a vantage point, which killed one Havildar, but Major Sonam continued to lead his column and progressed and captured the post, after killing two Pakistan army regulars and recovered one HMG (Heavy Machine Gun), one UMG (Universal Machine Gun), ammunition and three dead bodies of the enemy personnel. Thereafter, he took stock of all forces in the Chorbatla axis in the Batalik sector and cleared the axis up to the LoC of all enemy intrusions at a great risk to his life. In yet another simultaneous gallant operation in Batalik sector ,operation launched by the gallant soldiers of Ladakh Scouts, Dog Hill, which is to the West of Point 5000, had also been captured on night 05/06 July 1999. In this operation, six enemy soldiers had been killed and two Heavy Machine Guns, one Sniper Rifle and two G-3 Rifles along with large quantity of ammunition had been recovered. These were two of major successes achieved by Ladakh Scouts in Kargil operation. The Chief of Army Staff made a special instant award of "Unit Citation" to Ladakh Scouts for their meritorious and gallant performance during the battles of Point 5000 on night 05/06 July Dog Hill on night 30 June/01 July , and Padma Go on night 09/10 July 1999, in Batalik Sector. The unit performed with distinction during Operation "Vijay" and displayed exemplary valour and grit in the face of the enemy.
Batalik Sector
This sector is located between the Shyok and Indus rivers. The Eastern section of the Batalik sector consists of Chorbat La (mountain pass), Turturk and Pt 5287. The Ladakh Scouts captured the ridge of Chorbat La on the Indian side and preempted the Pakistani forces from occupying the area. This was the first Indian victory in the sector and resulted in heavy Pakistani losses. Turtuk is an important peak and the location of several important villages in the valley as well as link to Siachen Glacier. This sector was recaptured on June 16, 1999 by 11 Rajputana Rifles. Pt 5287 was recaptured on July 5th by the Ladakh Scouts. The Eastern section was recaptured on July 6th after 38 days of war.
(Source Wikipedia)
I took this photo from Kargil Rest House when I visited the area in connection with my official duty during June 1999.
History of Ladakh Scouts
Ladakh Scouts is a 4,000-man paramilitary unit of local Buddhists and Tibetan commandos Histoy of Ladakh Scout dates back to 1963. It was raised on 1st June 1963, following the 1962 Indo-China War, with just eight companies taken from the 7th and 14th Battalions of the Jammu & Kashmir Militia. The main task of regiment was to guard India's borders in the high altitude areas of the Ladakh region. They were also known as the “Snow Warriors”They are also affectionately called “ Nunoos”, as the Ladakhis , are skilled mountain warriors and are unsurpassed in high altitude operations. The Regiment has taken part in various operations since the 1965 Indo-Pak War. The Regiment was one of the first units to take part in “Operation Vijay” and crowned itself with glory during the conflict. Major Sonam Wangchuk, was the most recent recipient of the MVC (Maha Vir Chakra) for the Regiment in the Kargil Conflict. The Ladakh Scouts was given the status of a full infantry regiment in the year 2000.
Insignia
Battle Honours
During “Operation Vijay”, Ladakh Scouts was conferred upon 55 gallantry awards including 1 Mahavir Chakra,( Major Sonam Wangchuk) 6 Vir Chakra (Subedar Lobzang Chhotak (Posthumous) , Hav Tsewang Rigzinn (Posthumous )Subedar Tashi Chhepal , Sep Tsewang Morup, Sep Tsering Dorjay and Naib Sub Tundup Dorji,and 2Yudh Seva Medals (Nk Tashi Nurboo) 15 Sena Medals, 7 Mentions-in-Dispatches, 16 Chief Of Army Staff Commendation Cards and 8 GOC-in-C commendation cards. On September 18, 1999, Ladakh Scouts Regiment was honoured with the Chief of Army Staff citation and Banner. Chief Of Army Staff Commendation Cards and 8 GOC-in-C commendation cards.
Major Sonam Wangchuk
CITATION
Maha Vir Chakra
In Operation VIJAY as a part of ongoing operation Maj Sonam Wangchuk was leading a column of Ladakh Scouts on 30 May 99 for occupation of Ridge Line on the line of control in a glaciated area at 5,500 Meter to pre-empt enemy occupation and subsequent infiltration. While moving towards the line of control the enemy ambushed the column firing from a vantage point. One Havildar of Ladakh Scouts was killed. The officer held his column together and led a raid on the enemy position from a flank supported by artillery fire, killing two enemy personnel. The dead proved to be from enemy regulars. He recovered one Heavy Machine Gun, one Universal Machine Gun, ammunition, controlled stores and three dead bodies of the enemy personnel from the position. Maj Sonam on induction took stock of all forces in Chorbatla axis in the Batalik
Ramesh Lalwani
30th May 2009
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