#1.

The story of how the brave Indian army defeated China in 1967 and
defended Sikkim.

Memorial at Nathu-La
In 1967, at Nathu-La Pass, Sikkim, erstwhile protectorate of India, the Chinese
installed loudspeakers and threatened to repeat 1962 if Indians didnt retreat
from the area. The Indian side, heeding no notice, started fencing the pass. The
Chinese asked them to stop. Ignoring, our troops continued. Minutes later,
murderous medium-machine-gun (MMG) fire started from the other side. The
pass completely devoid of cover exposed the jawans of the 70 Field Company
and the 18 Rajput to the open fire causing heavy fatalities at our side.
Two brave officers Capt. Dagar of 2 Grenadiers and Major Harbhajan Singh of
18 Rajput reassembled a few troops and tried to assault the Chinese MMG but
both died a gallant death. Within 10 minutes, 70 dead Indian soldiers and many
other wounded were laying in the open on the pass.
Retaliating, the Indian army asked for the artillery fire and created havoc in the
Chinese camp, estimating 400 casualties.
Then, the two sides seemed unstoppable, with China getting a lesson each day.
Three days later, the Chinese agreed to ceasefire. 15 days later on October 1,
similar incident happened at Cho-La, a few kilometres north of Nathu-La. Despite
initial casualties, the 7/11 GR and the 10 JAK RIF stood firm and forced the
Chinese to withdraw nearly three kilometres away to Kam-Barracks where they
are installed till date. And this is how the Chinese retreated from Sikkim.

No wonder, Sino-Indian border has remained peaceful ever since to the level that
today Chinese soldiers come and ask their Indian counterparts at Nathu La for
cigarettes, rum and tea; mail is exchanged twice in a week in a hut constructed
specially for this purpose and border personnel meeting takes place twice a year.

#2. When this 2nd Lieutenant single-handedly destroyed numerous Pakistani

tanks and troops, denying Pakistan to enter Indian soil.

Indian Army personnel celebrate Indian victory at the end Battle of Basantar on
top of a knocked out Pakistani Patton tank.
During the 1971 Indo-Pak war, 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpals 17 Poona Horse was
ordered to construct a bridge across Basantar river, in the Shakargarh region
near the international border with the 47th Indian Infantry Brigade. After building
it, engineers were to crack the enemy mine-field. Half-way through, the enemy
raided. Even though the mine fields were partly cleared, the regiment advanced,
not having considered what laid ahead. By the first light of December 16th,
1971, the army established a link-up at the bridge for the tanks to pass. At 8am,
a Pakistani regiment, sufficiently armoured, confronted the Indian troops. Our
troops being outnumbered, the Commander of the squadron requested
assistance from 2nd Lt. Khetarpal, who was close to the battle-field.
As soon as the request was relayed, Kheterpal got into enemys neck to clean it
all! On the way, he overran some strong points and captured many soldiers.
During this, his groups second tank was attacked and the commander was
killed, leaving him alone fighting the Pakistanis.
But Kheterpal single-handedly went on to ambush the area with his tank. The
tank battle followed and 2nd Lt. Khetarpal destroyed four tanks. The Pakistanis
then wrecked the other two following tanks and also bombed his tank, flaming it
up. Khetarpal, not giving it up, went on to destroy rest of the tanks; after which
his own tank blew up. The fearless officer met his death refuting the enemy to
step on his land.

When his tank was flamed up, the commander of his troop had ordered him to
abandon the burning tank, but he proclaimed:

Official Portrait of 2nd Lt. Arun Khetarpal, PVC

The parade ground at the National Defence Academy is today named the
Khetarpal Ground, and the auditorium and one of the main gates bear his name
at the Indian Military Academy.

#3. How Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey inspired a crucial reclamation that led to
Indias victory during the Kargil War.
Why do you want to join the Army? I want to win the Param Vir
Chakra. Thats what was asked to Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey in his SSB
interview. And he remained true to his word! Part of the 1/11 Gorkha Rifles, on
June 11th, 1999 during the Kargil War, he led his men to capture the Jubar top,
besides a narrow, treacherous ridge towards the backstabbing enemy, now in
bunkers on the Indian land.
Pakistanis fired on Capt. Pandeys men; demonstrating great daring, he gushed
ahead of his troop and hailed the enemy with bullets and a loud battle cry.
Wounded by bullets on leg and shoulder, he killed two men in the first bunker in

hand combat and urged his men to clear all bunkers and collapsed in the final
bunker.
On July 3rd, as a part of Operation Vijay, advancing to Khalubar, he was asked to
clear off the enemy positions amidst heavy shooting. Audaciously striking the
first enemy position, he killed two enemies and destroyed the second position by
killing two more. While clearing third, bullets thrashed his shoulder and legs.
Undaunted, he continued to lead the assault on the fourth which he destroyed
with a grenade and then, a shot penetrated his forehead. Na chhodnu, Dont
spare them, were his last words. This daredevil act and motivation led to capture
of Khalubar.

Official Portrait of Capt. Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC

#4. How General Cariappa became the Indian Armys first General and what he
did when his son was taken as prisoner by Pakistan 18 years later.
(Though it cannot be authenticated, this event is believed to have occurred by
many.)
Soon after the independence, Prime Minister Nehru called up a meeting of
Defence Minister and senior army officers to appoint the first COAS of Indian
Army. Nehru proposed, I think we should appoint a British officer as a General of
the Indian Army, as we dont have enough experience to lead an army.
A senior officer, Nathu Singh Rathore snapped, You see, sir, we dont have
enough experience to lead a nation too, so shouldnt we appoint a Britisher as
the first Prime Minister of India?
Silence followed and the defence minister of India, Sardar Baldev Singh, offered
him to take up the post. He declined, saying, My senior Lt. Gen. KM Cariappa is
better for the job. and thus Lt. General Kodandera Madappa Cariappa became

the first Chief of Army Staff on January 15th, 1948 and hence this date is also
marked as the Indian Army day.
During the 1965 war, his son K C Cariappa, an Indian Air Force pilot, was shot
down over Pakistan Major Zaidia and taken as a prisoner of war. On realising the
identity of the wounded soldier at Dargil, Pakistans Gen. Ayub Khan who was
junior to KM Cariappa before independence, contacted Field Marshal Cariappa,
with information about his sons safety. When Gen. Khan offered to release his
son immediately, Field Marshal is reported to have scoffed at the idea and told
him to give his son no better treatment than any other Prisoner of War (POW).
He is my son no longer, the old Soldier is reported to have thundered. He is
the child of this country, a soldier fighting for his motherland like a true patriot.
My many thanks for your kind gesture, but I request you to release all or release
none. Give him no special treatment.

#5. The soldier who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously but he
managed to receive it himself!

Subedar Yogendra Yadav, being awarded the PVC by the Commander-in-Chief of

the Indian Armed Forces, the President of India KR Narayanan
Its way past midnight! Sunlight is a few hours away, in the distance you could
hear gunfire, in front of you is a snow clad vertical path of 16,500 feet and on the

top of it are bunkers in which reside men who are here to take your motherland!
This was what was happening on the morning of July 4th, 1999 to Subedar
Yogendra Singh and his Ghatak Platoon that was asked to capture the Tiger Hill.
Now someone was to climb the cliff and fix ropes so that the feature could be
attacked. Subedar Singh of 18 Grenadiers stepped up. Half-way up, an enemybunker started firing rockets and machine guns mercilessly, killing the platoon
commander and two other colleagues of Subedar. The fire continued and Singh
was hit in his crotch and shoulder by multiple bullets, but he continued
nonetheless.
When the wounded Subedar Singh reached the top, the first bunker opened fire
at him. He ran towards them and hurled a grenade through the window killing
the enemy soldiers in the bunker. Then firing away he went to the second
bunker, men in which were firing him and his comrades. He along with his other
Grenadiers killed four Pakistanis using his bare hands. His partners captured the
third bunker and hence the Tiger Hill a top-priority reclamation for the country.
After a broken leg, a shattered arm and almost 15 bullet wounds, Sudebar
Singh was taken to the hospital where it was assumed that he may become a
martyr. Param Vir Chakra was announced for his invincible spirit, determination
and action beyond the call of the duty, posthumously, but it was found that he
was recovering in the hospital and this 19-year-old was awarded the P.V.C. by the
then President K. R. Narayanan.

#6. The story of Gurkha Regiment:

Famous for their ever-present kukris a distinctive heavy knife with a curved
blade and their fierce nature of fighting, the Gurkha regiment is the reason the
British failed to annex Nepal to their Empire during the Gurkha war. The British-

Indian Army officers were impressed by the tenacity and gallantry of the Gurkha
soldiers and encouraged them to volunteer for the East India Company. They did
and the Gurkhas remained loyal to British throughout the Raj.
After the partition, the respect for the Gurkhas hadnt died down from the
Britishers end and out of the ten Gurkha regiments, the British decided to
retain four Gurkha Rifles; the remaining six went on to join the Indian Army.
The 8 Gurkha Rifles regiment has the unique distinction of producing one of the
two Field Marshals of the Indian Army: Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who is still
revered as one of Indian Armys finest officers. Manekshaw once said: If a man
says hes not afraid of dying, hes either lying or hes a Gorkha.

#7. When 120 men and a jeep mounted with a gun defended India against 2000
Pakistanis and 45 tanks.

120 km from Ramgarh, in Thar Desert lies Longewala, an Indian border post. At
the post, 120 Indian soldiers were stationed with a Jeep mounted with M40
recoilless rifle. On December 4th, 1971, Lt. Daramveer Bhan who was patrolling
the international border reported Pakistani advancement with a large number of
armoured vehicles. The company commander Major Kuldip Singh Chandpuri got
in touch with the battalion HQ requesting reinforcement, armour and weaponry
support as they only had medium machine guns. Battalion HQ asked him to
either hold back Pakistanis as supply couldnt reach quickly; or retreat back to
Ramgarh. The company, with indomitable Army spirit, chose to stay despite
fearing being severely outnumbered by the enemy forces. Around 30 minutes
past midnight, 45 tanks and 2000 men of Pakistan took on 120 Indians.
The battle continued all night with Indians successfully guarding their homeland
against a massive, massive force. By the time the battle ended on December
7th, a small number of 120 soldiers with the help of 5 airplanes, which were

unable to navigate during the night, destroyed 500 Pakistani vehicles (!), killed
200 soldiers and the Pakistanis either lost or abandoned over 34 tanks one of
the highest ever tank losses after WWII.
Only two Indians lost their lives.
Radio intercept by Indian Air Force sent from a Pakistani tank to their HQ, after
Indian military shattered advancing Pakistani forces was:
IAF is giving us extreme trouble, one aircraft goes and another aircraft arrives
and dominates the air for about 30 minutes, 40% forces and equipment is
already destroyed, even retreating is impossible, let alone
retaliating. Immediately send air support, otherwise returning back will be
impossible.

#8. Ill either come back after raising the Indian flag in victory or return
wrapped in it.

Capt. Vikram Batra, PVC

On June 1st, 1999, when the Kargil war was to erupt, one Capt Vikram Batras
unit was sent to Kargil daring operation to recapture the Point 5140 of utmost
importance to India. Point 5140 was at a height of 17,000 feet.
Reaching Point 5140, Capt Batra faced the commander of the Pakistani-backed
terrorists on radio. The enemy commander provoked him, Why have you come
here Shershah, you will not go back. Captain Batra, being the last person to
back away from a fight, replied, We shall see within one hour who remains on
the top. In a short while Captain Batra and his company of troops killed eight
enemy soldiers and captured a heavy anti-aircraft machine gun, neutralising the

advantageous peak. Mission Point 5140 was a success. Soon after he radioed his
Commanding Officer (CO), Yeh dil mange more!
Next chapter was Point 4750, where he was dared again by the enemy who said,
Shershah, nobody shall be left to lift your dead bodies! Shershah, as
nicknamed by his CO hurled, Dont worry about us, pray for your safety. Later
he re-captured Point 4750 and hoisted the national flag.
His heart, in zeal of patriotism wanting victory, made him volunteer for his third
task of re-capturing point 4875. On July 5th, 1999, after thrashing intruders, his
company and others lead by Capt. Anuj Nayyar, re-captured the peak. The
enemy counter-attacked on July 7th but the team retaliated with enthusiasm.
During the fire-exchange, Capt Batras junior Lt. Naveen was hit and Shershah
jumped to his rescue, who was pleading to let him continue to which he replied,
Tu baal bachedaar hai! Hatt jaa peeche. (You are the one with kids; back
away!) And while saving his comrade, a bullet found its way to Capt Batras heart
and the brave captain with the words, Jai Mata Di fell on the ground to become
immortal in our hearts.

#9. When Prime Minister of India asked the General of the Indian Army, Are you
trying to grab the power?

Sam, what are you doing?

Sitting in my office and having tea, Madam.
Come to my office, Ill give you tea here.
This is what PM Indira Gandhi told Chief of Army Staff Gen. Sam Manekshaw one
fine morning during the days that Indira Gandhi was not-so-popular amongst her
party and opposition for being a one-woman ruler!
Everybody says you are taking over. When are you taking over? Gandhi asked.
What do you think?
I dont think you would.
Youre right Madam Prime Minister. My daughter, when she comes from the
convent sings the nursery rhyme, you mind your business, I mind mine; you kiss
your own sweetheart, I kiss mine. You have a long nose. So have I. But I dont
poke my nose into other peoples affairs. I do not interfere with politics and
politicians. Sam Maneskshaw even offered to quit on grounds of mental
instability.
This wasnt the first time the Prime Minister had the taste of Sam Maneskshaw.
One day in April 1971, when India was becoming the home to millions of
refugees from the East Pakistan, Indira Gandhi wanted to attack East Pakistan
and get rid of the problem of West Pakistans bias to East. She called up the
cabinet along with Sam Bahadur and told them about her plan. Sam declared
that if we attack now, India would lose the battle as the Army was not ready.
Soon after the Cabinet members retired from the meeting, Sam offered his
resignation; There is a very thin line between being dismissed and becoming a
field-marshal, as he recalls but again Gandhi refused and asked him to prepare.
And so he did.

As war drew closed, Indira Gandhi asked her army chief if he was ready for the
fight. Gen. Manekshaw replied with the chivalry, flirtatiousness and utter
boldness for which he was famous: I am always ready, sweetie.
And ready he was; winning Dhaka in two weeks.
Gen. Manekshaw truly became immortal in the history of India for his brave acts
and the way he stood up to his political bosses for his soldiers as he once said, I
wonder whether those of our political masters who have been put in charge of
the defence of the country can distinguish a mortar from a motor; a gun from a
howitzer; a guerrilla from a gorilla, although a great many resemble the latter.

So, the men in olive green, that is how we define a hero. We at Youth Connect
salute the Indian Army for the selfless and brave job they do every day and
every night of protecting our freedom, our Republic.