Falling heroes8217; pave the valiant trail

SRINAGAR, JUNE 20: As the ongoing conflict in Kargil rages, the saga of valour of heroes pours on with the battle which the army terms as...

SRINAGAR, JUNE 20: As the ongoing conflict in Kargil rages, the saga of valour of heroes pours on with the battle which the army terms as counter-insurgency8217; operations entering the 38th day today.

From Lt Saurav Kalia killed on May 14 to Major Ajay Jasrotia and from Lance Naik Ghulam Mohammad Khan to Major M Sarwanan, the Indian Army has proved that every jawan is determined to keep the national tri-colour flying.8220;This dedication and sense of duty motivates every soldier to make esteem sacrifices for the nation,8221; says Param Vir Chakra recepient Bana Singh of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry JAKLI.

Young jawans have perished during the present conflict but there is no dearth of such sons of the soil, he said.

Falling heroes, as called in military language, leave a trail behind for others to follow, he said.

Captain Amol Kalia of 12 JAKLI, a humble individual as described by his unit officer, evicted intruders from a strategic 17,000 ft high post in Batalik-Yaldor sector on June ten beforelaying his life for the motherland. Kalia, whose Punjab-based parents had little knowledge of the destiny in store for them, had demonstrated courage, grit and determination in carrying out the task assigned to him, says a senior officer.

Major Sarwanan, who volunteered himself for the assault on intruders in Batalik, killed four intruders before being shot down. His body is yet to be recovered.

While Lt Col R Vishwanathan and Major R S Adikhari, in two separate missions, proved their mettle by paving the way for the recapture of Tuloling, Sqdn Ldr Ajay Ahuja, who was shot dead by the intruders after his MIG-27 crashed while he was trying to locate his compatriot Flt Lt K Nachiketa whose jet was downed, added another chapter to the saga of Indian soldiers8217; gallantry.

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The famous patriotic song by melody queen Lata Mangeshkar Ae mere watan ke logon, reverberates the air as the jawans here board the truck for Kargil8220;Tell my people at home that I would return soon and also convey to my children that Iwould bring them their gifts and other 8230;..8221;, a jawan tells his colleague as his truck speeds away to Kargil from Srinagar.