Siachen is a battlefield where information rarely trickles down to the outside world. Remarkable acts of bravery often remain buried in the snow, forgotten without a trace. While a ceasefire is in place today, and the primary threats are now posed by the harsh weather and treacherous terrain, it wasn’t always this way. From April 13, 1984, to November 26, 2003, Siachen was a highly contested zone, where victory or defeat hung by a slender thread. The fog of war was thick, and logistical challenges were immense. Casualty evacuation was a significant concern, with fallen soldiers being heartbreakingly categorized as P4 (Priority 4), the lowest priority for retrieval from the snowy heights.
Numerous books have been written on this unique conflict, but most are by those who have never served there or felt the weight of decision-making in such extreme conditions. Battles were fought at 20,000 feet, in temperatures plummeting to -60°C, a challenge difficult to fathom. However, Lt Gen Ramesh Kulkarni, a former GOC of the 28 Infantry Division, who commanded this division during one of its most crucial periods, from 1987 to 1988, has provided an invaluable service to the strategic community and the armed forces by penning this memoir.
The book covers the crucial years of 1987-89, a period marked by the establishment of Bana Post—a story known mainly to the soldiers who served on the glacier. Unfortunately, this critical period in military history has been insufficiently recorded. General Kulkarni and his daughter Anjali have penned the memoir from memory, with his son Abhijit adding interpretations from his notes. The General took no notes during his service, nor did he save any documents for personal records. This shows that he had no intention of recounting these experiences, which are almost 36 years old, until a conclave of General Officers who commanded the 28 Infantry Division urged him to write about the division's Siachen sojourn. The division, currently one of the premier formations in the Kashmir Valley, was unaware of its own history.
In General Kulkarni’s words, “there is no authentic record of the tenacity and grit that our troops displayed under extreme conditions and with the limited resources available to them during this stretch of time.” By the time he assumed command at Nimu, Operation Meghdoot was already three years old. Interestingly, in July 1987, as he took over, another operation, Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka, was being launched. This peacekeeping mission quickly escalated into an out-of-area counterinsurgency campaign. Pakistan saw this as a moment of opportunity to launch operations against the Saltoro Range in an attempt to evict the Indian Army and push it back to lower ground on the Siachen glacier.
General Kulkarni’s book recounts the Pakistani Army's attempts to dislodge the Indian Army and the heroic resistance of Indian troops under his command. The narrative is made even more compelling by the fact that these efforts were led by none other than Brigadier (later General) Parvez Musharraf, commander of the Pakistani SSG Brigade. It is not unreasonable to believe that Musharraf’s failure here inspired his later move to occupy the Kargil Heights in 1999, assuming that the Pakistani forces would be able to hold their ground just as the 28 Infantry Division had done in Siachen.
A well-crafted foreword sets the stage for the book, while a "Note on the Glacier" by renowned mountaineer Harish Kapadia provides essential context for those unfamiliar with the terrain and challenges. The narrative that follows is filled with vivid descriptions of the terrain, enemy maneuvers, and logistical nightmares that made this a battle like no other. The build-up to General Kulkarni's command of the 28 Infantry Division is particularly captivating, showcasing the experience and trust he garnered over crucial years, especially as Maj Gen General Staff (MGGS) at HQ Northern Command under Lt Gen Ashok Handoo.
The book’s accounts of the battles for the heights are outstanding, worthy of being studied and perhaps taught at military and civilian institutions alike. The capture of Qaid Post during Op Rajiv and the defense of the Bila Fondla Pass make for enthralling reading. Rarely have I encountered a memoir where the author so generously acknowledges the contributions of his subordinates and family while candidly admitting to his own human frailties.
This is not just a book for the armed forces; it has valuable lessons for the corporate world as well. The simplicity and human aspects of leadership under extreme conditions are what stand out the most. Personally, having known the author and his family for over 53 years, the book was a delight to read. The pleasure was doubled, as I am familiar with the ground, having commanded in the Northern Glacier myself in 1995.
This memoir is not just an account of a military career; it is a testament to the indomitable spirit and resilience of those who serve under the harshest conditions. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to understand what true grit and leadership under fire mean.
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-- Mrunmay Manoj Pote
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