SHAHEED

CAPTAIN AMOL KALIA

The recapture of a key position in the Batalik sector yesterday by Capt Amol Kalia and 13 of his men, all of whom died, was one of the bravest acts seen in the Kargil sector in the ongoing operations against Pakistani soldiers and Mujahideen.

Twentyfive Pakistani soldiers were killed before the 14 Indian troops from the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and parachute commandos laid down their lives on the north-western slopes of the position at a height of about 16,000 feet after seven hours of intense fighting.

According to army spokesman Col Bikram Singh, the Pakistanis were well-entrenched and had made a number of field fortifications. Since the infiltrators had covered most of the approaches by fire, the Indian troops, in the face of intense shooting and heavy odds, scaled the objective and reached the top employing specialised mountaineering techniques.

The enemy counter-attacked the position during the early hours yesterday in which the light machine gun detachment personnel accompanying Capt Kalia were killed. Capt Kalia was seriously wounded but, showing exemplary courage, he picked up the LMG and charged at the Pakistanis killing four of them. Later he succumbed to injuries.

''In this operation, Capt Kalia along with 13 other ranks made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. But for the selfless devotion to duty marked with exemplary courage displayed by these gallant soldiers, the recapture of this vital position would not have been possible'', Col Singh said.