Tiger Hill – Army launches final assault

DRASS, JULY 3: Indian forces on Saturday launched the final assault to recapture the crucial Tiger Hill, considered the biggest challenge...

DRASS, JULY 3: Indian forces on Saturday launched the final assault to recapture the crucial Tiger Hill, considered the biggest challenge in the Drass sector. The infantry soldiers started their advance towards the peak with unprecedented shelling from Pakistan. The Army is said to have lost five soldiers, including one officer, in these operations since last night.The Indian artillery stepped up firing, providing cover to the soldiers. And as dusk gave way to darkness, streaks of orange lit up the sky. Shells kept falling every 30-40 seconds on Drass town and its adjoining areas in an effort to slow down the progress of the Indian forces. The main focus of Pak’s artillery is the Drass Brigade Headquarters.

But the Indian build-up is formidable. The Multi-Barrel Rocket Launchers (MBRLs) keep changing positions frequently. "The flash that emanates every time you use the MBRL is a giveaway of its position. So the position has to be changed continuously," said an officer, just as a shell fell 100 metresaway.

The Bofors howitzer guns are also strategically deployed but even their positions have to be changed regularly. By 5.15 pm, Indian artillery had started directly targeting Tiger Hill. With the Bofors guns firing rapidly, backed by accurate artillery shelling, a mushroom cloud rose near the peak.At 5.30 pm, seven shells landed on Tiger Hill in quick succession. In the meantime, infantry soldiers tried to cordon off the heights backed by intermittent air strikes. By the time, Pakistani soldiers reacted, the rain began, the clouds providing cover to the Indian soldiers although slowing their progress. "It’s going to get tough but we are ready to fight every inch of it," he said. "The climb is almost vertical with little cover. We are close to the Line of Control (LoC) but the enemy gets reinforcements. The infiltrators have the advantage of height as well."

Directly overlooking the National Highway 1-A, the only link between Srinagar and Leh, Tiger Hill is extremely important strategically. It alsoprovides a good vantage point for the enemy. "The highway is the main supply route for us and with the recovery of adjoining peaks like 5140, 4700 and 5100, it’s much safer but still not totally safe," an officer in Drass said.The battle launched for Tiger Hills was the first stage in a well-planned ground assault over the weekend. The Army hopes to finish the task by the weekend. With the recovery of Tiger Hill, the victory in Drass sub-sector will be complete.

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