Last time we'd such high casualties in a single ops was when the team ran into an ambush. First one or two soldiers take the first burst and tend to scumb immediately. Others might get wounded and get caught in cross fire. I'm pretty sure that you'll hear a story or two of
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exceptional courage here. Where a wounded team member/members kept on engaging the enemy to extract others. Without regard for own safety. An unfortunate incident and a great loss. But this is the nature of the beast. You don't know which way the dice will roll. Also, it has
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observed in the past that Pakistanis send their best and most well trained terrorists during tough weather conditions. So, it is likely that we were against a much better trained enemy who got lucky. But only for a short while.
observed in the past that Pakistanis send their best and most well trained terrorists during tough weather conditions. So, it is likely that we were against a much better trained enemy who got lucky. But only for a short while.
- Squad of 5 lands very close to terrorists
- snow ledge gives way & 03 fall close to terrorists.
- would've received concentrated fire from few feet away; low chance of survival.
- last 2 join battle. Between them & likely injured from first 03, they killed all five terrorists.
- snow ledge gives way & 03 fall close to terrorists.
- would've received concentrated fire from few feet away; low chance of survival.
- last 2 join battle. Between them & likely injured from first 03, they killed all five terrorists.
Read tbe incredible story of their bravery here.
m.economictimes.com/news/defence/k…
m.economictimes.com/news/defence/k…
More details from @ShivAroor.
So, first 03 commandos actually fell right in front of the 05 terrorists who were hiding there with weapons ready. It's a marker of their courage that inspite of being in a hopeless situation, they killed all terrorists.
So, first 03 commandos actually fell right in front of the 05 terrorists who were hiding there with weapons ready. It's a marker of their courage that inspite of being in a hopeless situation, they killed all terrorists.
Subedar Sanjiv Kumar, Paratrooper Bal Krishan - two more boys from Himachal make the supreme sacrifice. It will motivate many more to join. 
"Paratrooper Amit Kumar took 15 bullets before he killed a terrorist" @ShivAroor
I'd said this before, we will hear stories of exceptional courage here. To kill all 05 terrorists, from the hopeless situation in which these men found themselves, comes only from raw courage.
I'd said this before, we will hear stories of exceptional courage here. To kill all 05 terrorists, from the hopeless situation in which these men found themselves, comes only from raw courage.
A more detailed report from @ShivAroor on what happened on the fateful day.
livefistdefence.com/2020/04/as-ind…
livefistdefence.com/2020/04/as-ind…
Report mentions about cornice giving way. Here's what a cornice is:
Snow to RIGHT of 'Cornice Crack' marker sits atop underlying mountain surface. But to its left, its nothing but hardened snow. If the weight is large, cornice can break-off. This is what happened here.
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Snow to RIGHT of 'Cornice Crack' marker sits atop underlying mountain surface. But to its left, its nothing but hardened snow. If the weight is large, cornice can break-off. This is what happened here.
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Sometime back, 07 mountaineers had lost their lives during a Nanda Devi expedition. Even there, the cause of tragedy was this - while ascending, they were walking along a narrow ridge-line. At some point, they started walking on a cornice and it gave away. And all of them fell+
Sometime back, 07 mountaineers had lost their lives during a Nanda Devi expedition. Even there, the cause of tragedy was this - while ascending, they were walking along a narrow ridge-line. At some point, they started walking on a cornice and it gave away. And all of them fell+
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Image below is the last picture of these mountaineers as they ascend along a narrow ridge-line. They thought they're walking along a ridge but in fact , they were on a snow cornice. See where last person is walking. The snow-overhang gave way and they fell to their death.
Image below is the last picture of these mountaineers as they ascend along a narrow ridge-line. They thought they're walking along a ridge but in fact , they were on a snow cornice. See where last person is walking. The snow-overhang gave way and they fell to their death.
Last rites of Amit Kumar; these mountains will continue their romance with the uniform and heed the call to serve the motherland.
Sorry, there's an error in my tweet above. Its Subedar Sanjeev Kumar, the squad leader. Paratrooper Amit Kumar was from Uttarakhand.
Very same squad as they were deploying from helicopter. Look at the snow depth! Battle load + snow + steep mountain sides - it takes exceptional stamina and nerves of steel to hunt terrorists in this environment. They did their job but are now gone forever 😢
Pic: @VishnuNDTV
Pic: @VishnuNDTV
Paratrooper Amit Kumar. He took 15 bullets. For us. Always remember that. Never forget. How long will we continue to loose such fine men?
Pic courtesy : @manhasvikas41
Pic courtesy : @manhasvikas41
Interview of 15 Corps Commander, Lt General BS Raju on this operation. He mentions recovery of satellite phone and VHF radio equipment from militants.
Stores recovered from the terrorists. From @manishindiatv
From horse's mouth - details of the operation from team member of the second squad which was working in tandem with Subedar Sanjeev Singh's squad. English translation of what he's saying in next tweet.
Link courtesy: @Aditya_G_Social
Link courtesy: @Aditya_G_Social
-Point where they were dropped by helo had snow till their chest.
-Took 0.5 hrs to get sorted in the area and find the terrorist trail
-Tracked the trail for next 4-5 hours!
- Saw them and fired on them; terrorists retreated towards a nullah
- They chased them and reached a +
-Took 0.5 hrs to get sorted in the area and find the terrorist trail
-Tracked the trail for next 4-5 hours!
- Saw them and fired on them; terrorists retreated towards a nullah
- They chased them and reached a +
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Y-junction. Split into two squads of 05 each.
-Two soldiers in front (scout) from Sub Sanjeev's squad slid down the nullah when snow gave way. He also went down after them.
- Landed in midst of terrorists.
- Intense CQB and hand-to-hand fight happened.
- Last two squad members+
Y-junction. Split into two squads of 05 each.
-Two soldiers in front (scout) from Sub Sanjeev's squad slid down the nullah when snow gave way. He also went down after them.
- Landed in midst of terrorists.
- Intense CQB and hand-to-hand fight happened.
- Last two squad members+
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followed, w/o knowing the status of terrorists or own troops.
- Some terrorists at this point had hidden (I'm assuming own first 03 and some terrorists were KIA by now) and fired on them.
-Own troops killed them (second assumption: it happened at point-blank range and own +
followed, w/o knowing the status of terrorists or own troops.
- Some terrorists at this point had hidden (I'm assuming own first 03 and some terrorists were KIA by now) and fired on them.
-Own troops killed them (second assumption: it happened at point-blank range and own +
+ troops were also injured)
- Possible that it was these two paratroopers who were airlifted to Srinagar but succumbed to injuries.
Image of the terrain in the area
(from @Amansin40578878 )
- Possible that it was these two paratroopers who were airlifted to Srinagar but succumbed to injuries.
Image of the terrain in the area
(from @Amansin40578878 )
Paratrooper Bal Krishan from Himachal who laid down his life in the encounter.
Pic source: @Sidbakaria
Pic source: @Sidbakaria
Another warrior makes the final journey back home. Farewell, brother.
Elder of Paratrooper Bal Krishan embracing his mother; he serves with Punjab Regiment of the army.
4 hours to cover 2-km in chest deep snow!
Latest update from @sneheshphilip :
