Lt Gen. Satish Dua (retd)

Naib Subedar Bana Singh was tasked up with five soldiers—Chunni was happy to be chosen for this assault. He was also happy that LD also requested the Company Commander Viru’s permission, to let him join the assault; he was carrying Viru’s radio set. ‘I think I will also go in with the assault’, said Viru.

‘No Sir’, said Bana. ‘You will be required to coordinate all groups with the higher HQ and artillery fire support etc. I will lead this assault and you can follow closely.’

Viru said silent prayer in his heart, Waheguru, raksha karna. (Waheguru protect them). Aloud he said rather gruffly to hide his emotions, ‘Ya kabza karna, ya marna. Piche aaoge toh main shoot kar doonga.’ (Capture it or die. If you retreat I’ll shoot you.). He said this in a positive motivational sense, not as a threat, and the soldiers understood that perfectly well.

The assault section stood around him. It would have made an interesting picture, an aerial shot, which looked awkwardly like the Indian cricket team’s huddle, all dressed in white snow clothing, against the background of whiter snow. Normally they would’ve shouted out the paltan battle cry, ‘Bole Jaikara!,’ (Hail Victory!) followed by ‘Durge Mata ki Jai!’ (Victory to Mother Durga!) three times. But in proximity of the enemy, surprise is of the essence and pin-drop silence was maintained.

Naib Subedar Bana, Hav. Balwant and Rfn Om Raj gave covering fire, as Rfns Chunni and LD moved from a flank (from a side), crouching as low as possible to escape detection. Viru called for artillery fire support to cover their movement. He took the shoot himself. Taking a shoot means you apply corrections to the artillery fire by observing how far from the target the shells are falling. He passed the corrections on the radio set to the artillery gun position and expertly arranged for an air burst of artillery fire, which is most effective in suppressing the enemy. When a shell explodes on impact, half of its shrapnel gets embedded in the ground or snow. In an airburst mode, the shell is made to explode in the air just above the target—it calls for skilled shooting—and the shrapnel burst gets an enhanced range and effect. This is enough to keep enemy’s head down for some time.