Lucknow:
Seventeen years after he witnessed the capture of the strategic Tiger Hill in the Kargil Conflict by his ‘Ghatak buddies’ of the 18 Grenadiers, retired Havaldar Santosh Kumar Jaiswal would attempt to create a record with his cycle covering 300 kilometres in 12 hours.
Elaborating, Jaiswal said, “I would be attempting to create a new record with an Indian gearless non-racing cycle.” His cycle is five-years-old and he is being backed by local clubs in his endeavour.
“In order to give it a look of a racing cycle, I have removed both the mudguards,” said Jaiswal. Khel Khiladi Utthaan and Champions Cycling Club is extending support to Santosh in his attempt to make the new record.
Settled in Lucknow after taking VRS from the Army, Santosh works at the UP Bhootpoorv Sainik Kalyan Nigam. On the reason for opting July 26 as the day for attempting the record, the former soldier of the 18 Grenadier said, “Initially, it was planned for July 24. But, I insisted that the event could be extended by a couple of days, and could coincide with Kargil Vijay Diwas (July 26).”
The former Grenadier said if he succeeded in his attempt, he would dedicate it to his friends in 18 Grenadiers general and the members of Ghatak platoon (which captured Tiger Hill).
Recalling the capture of Tiger Hills, he said, “Ghatak platoon attacked the Tiger Hill while I was in the reserve with the Charlie company. It was Grenadier Yoginder Singh Yadav who with his sheer grit and courage helped the Army capture the strategic post.” Yadav was later awarded Param Vir Chakra.
In a first-hand account of the capture of Tiger Hill given by then Chief of Army Staff General VP Malik (published on the official website of Ministry of External Affairs), the assault began at 7.00pm on July 3, 1999 with direct and indirect firing by artillery. It was a multidirectional infantry assault. 8 Sikh provided the firm base and engaged the enemy from ‘obvious’ approaches as part of a deception plan. 18 Grenadiers moved towards the objective from the South and North East. The weather assisted the battalions in achieving surprise. Lieutenant Balwan Singh led the Ghatak Platoon (Commando) of 18 Grenadiers on the most difficult, North-Eastern approach.
His Platoon make use of the rope to reach the top of the Tiger Hill at 4.30am and totally surprised the enemy that had already suffered due to heavy artillery shelling and air attacks. In the ensuring hand-to-hand fighting, the enemy lost 10-12 personnel. 18 Grenadiers suffered six fatal casualties. Grenadier Yogendar Singh Yadav, who was in the lead on the rope, and wounded badly, earned India’s highest gallantry award of Param Vir Chakra.
The Ghatak platoon with some reinforcements firmed in on the Tiger Hill top, but throughout the day came under enemy fire from the Western Spur. This position (Western Spur) was cleared by a very gallant and highly motivated action by 8 Sikh on the night of July 4-5, 1999.
Santosh Kumar Jaiswal was enrolled in 18 Grenadiers on November 30, 1995 and took voluntary retirement from the Army on November 30, 2013.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / Arunav Sinha / TNN / July 26th, 2016