September 11, 2020
We all have seen the Lakshya movie countless times, I still watch it from time to time for inspiration. It really was a brilliancy of its time; however, I am sure you would be doubly excited to hear the story behind the inspiration behind Lakshya.
As you might have guessed, he is none other than Subedar Major Yogendra Singh Yadav PVC from the 18 Grenadiers, Indian Army. He was one of the few who survived the battle of Tiger hill with 21 bullets in his body. He became the youngest PVC awardee to ever exist in the history of India.
Statue of Sub Maj Yogendra Singh Yadav PVC
at the national war memorial, New Delhi
Background:
Yogendra Singh Yadav was born in 1980 in Aurangabad, UP, which was a fairly rural area. His father served in the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army. Following his footsteps, he enlisted into the Army at the age of 16 with 18 Grenadiers as a Ghatak commando, who are the most elite soldiers of a unit.
Sub Maj Yadav PVC at the republic day parade.
Battle of the Tiger Hill:
It was early in the peaceful morning of Kargil with birds singing melodies. At the same time, 30 Ghatak commandos were preparing to leave for the Tiger hill where they were supposed to flush out the Pakistani intruders by capturing three well fortified bunkers.
Illustrative map of the Tiger Hill. source: Google.
As illustrated by the above map, the Pakistani positions were at the peak of the 1000 ft. high mountain which had a very low geographical cover, immediately making it a cakewalk for the defending Pak Army to spot any attack with the added benefit of snow.
However, men had made their minds; they had to bring honor to their Paltan, unit, the regiment, and the nation. Keeping in mind his extensive high altitude warfare training, he was immediately selected for the mission.
Yadav, along with some of the men, climbed and quickly installed climbing ropes on the cliff face from where there were the least chances of getting spotted, and soon the whole unit started their journey to the top. Halfway through the cliff, the platoon came under massive mortar and artillery fire, killing the platoon commander.
When life gives you lemons:
The death of the platoon commander came as a big shock to the platoon; however, Yadav led his men into the assault. He lobbed grenades from bunker to bunker, crawling his way amidst the massive fire. He single-handedly killed 8 Pakistani soldiers and kept fighting even when hit by 21 bullets in his body. The Pakistani side suffered heavy casualties, even though their intensive preparation, defended the posts from the first attack, they knew about the Indian reinforcements matching towards them. They quickly regrouped their numbers however started to shoot the injured Indian soldiers, one of whom were Yadav.
When asked about the incident, Sub Maj Yadav thanks his luck and god that even after being hit in that fire, he survived and somehow got medical attention.
Soon the Indian reinforcements arrived and captured the abandoned posts.
Aftermath:
The battle of Tiger Hill was a crucial point of war which tilted the war into Indian favor, It bought honor not only for the officers and men of 18 Grenadiers and the country but also Sub Maj Yogendra Singh Yadav who was decorated by the PVC at the age of 19. Few people know that the PVC was announced posthumously first as the officers of the unit thought that Yadav died in action. The battle remains an inspiration for the young officers and men of 18 grenadiers. Sub Maj Yadav is currently serving in Bareilly, UP and continues to inspire his fellow personnel as well as citizens.
The battle of Tiger hill is covered in two popular films Lakshya and LOC Kargil.
Sub Maj Yadav interacting and inspiring the youth.
I am sure the readers would have enjoyed the read. At the end of the blog, I would like to ask you the same question I ask myself whenever I read about this legend, Mr. yadav joined the Army at 16 and was decorated with the PVC at 19, what were you doing at that time? Do you feel that you have done your duty to the nation ? Do you feel that you have been a citizen, worth dying for ? Ask your conscience and if the answer is no, don't give your future self the chance to experience the same. You are the future of this country. Go make it proud!! Jai Hind!!
~Apoorv Saxena
No comments:
Post a Comment