In 1984, amid escalating tensions at the border between India and Pakistan, the Indian Army raised the 28 Infantry Division in Ladakh, which was responsible for safeguarding the entire northern stretch of the Indian border, including the Line of Control with Pakistan and the Tibetan/Chinese area of the Karakoram Pass.
Siachen, 1987: Battle for the Frozen Frontier tells the story of Lt Gen. Ramesh Kulkami's command of this infantry division, giving readers the rare opportunity to view the Siachen glacier and the army's involvement in the region through the lens of a commander.
This memoir gives a blow-by-blow account of the important combat operations during Kulkami's tenure - Operation Rajiv, in which the Quaid Post held by Pakistan was captured; and Operation Vajr Shakti, which was launched to secure the post from Pakistan's attempts to recapture it. In addition to the thrilling descriptions of military prowess, the book also touches upon the human cost of the Siachen conflict: being expected to thrive in treacherous terrain and an environment that has claimed innumerable lives.
Gritty and heartfelt, this is a tale of survival on the world's highest battlefield.
Most of the books on Siachen till now have dealt more with the terrain, the geopolitical dispute, how this sector was occupied, and the efforts made to resolve the dispute. This narrative is different. It is a personal story wherein the author describes how he dealt with battle situations, leadership issues, man management and bonding with his command, and logistical challenges on this highest battlefield on earth.
One of the many reasons I am compelled to tell my story is because my tenure on the Siachen glacier was unique in innumerable ways. While we hadn't declared a full-fledged war against an enemy, we were forced into encounters by smaller groups extremely critical from the point of view of encounters that were national security. Added to this was the serious impact of facing the enemy at an altitude that proved challenging in myriad ways. As if staying alive was not a feat by itself, an ordinary soldier after acquiring the skills of a mountaineer and trekker had to remain fit and focused, knowing that success or failure of any mission would have enormous consequences for the country.
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