Saurab's mind went back to the scene of the battle. He can still hear the explosions, the screams of men killing and dying. He remembered his fellow paratroopers fighting to capture a bridge. "Bridge! The Bridge!! What happened to the bridge? Did we hold the bridge!! Did we hold the bridge!!?” Saurab started screaming in his stupor and started climbing out of his bed. The Nurse and the attendants held him down and tried to appease him. One of said, "Don't worry, Cease Fire has been declared. The enemy has surrendered. Your men held the bridge". Saurab was relieved and laid down on his bed. He closed his eyes. His mind involuntarily went back to the events before the battle.
Capt. Vijayant Thapar, CO Charlie Company of the 9th Parachute Special Forces battalion, briefed his men on the upcoming mission. The will air dropped at 0600 hours tomorrow 30 miles behind enemy lines to secure a bridge head. The Army top brass has been given permission by the Prime Minister to open up a second front relieve the embattled elements of the Army up north. Things have turned for worse in the last 2 months since the unprovoked attack by the enemy. The United Nations couldn't do anything and an all-out war seems inevitable.
After the briefing, Capt. Vijayant sat with his lieutenants Lt.Saurab Kalia, Lt.Manoj Pandey, Lt. Vikram Batra for a private chat. Saurab started, 'How dare they attack us. We are not in 1962 anymore. This time we will kick their butt'. Manoj added, 'You are right Saurab, today Indian Army is at its strongest, we are more experienced in using combined arms of artillery, infantry and mechanized forces.' Vikram said, 'We have blunt their blow and licked our wounds, now its time to return the favor'.
Vijayant said, 'Ok chaps, good to know that you are in high spirits. Now let’s concentrate on the mission at hand. Manoj, what's your take on this'. Manoj replied, 'The 9th Para specializes in capturing vital road links and bridges. I don't foresee any problem'. Vikram added ‘‘It’s not that easy as you think, Manoj. It’s a complex mission and there are lot of unknowns like, what's the enemy troop strength in our drop zone'. Saurab lamented, 'I don't understand, 0600 is almost day, why didn't we go earlier in the cover of darkness? If the enemy sees our air drop, he will blast us to pieces before our feet touches ground'. The mood turned to Sullen after Saurab's reply.
Vijayant looking for ways to cheer up his chaps quoted,
'theirs not to reason why,
theirs but to do and die: '
He added, 'Its from the poem Charge The Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred Tennyson. It memorializes the suicidal charge of a British cavalry brigade in the Crimean war. A Light brigade of 600 men charged a position defended by machine guns on three sides. They were practically mowed down. Tomorrow, our charge is going to be like that. We will take that bridge and provide a passage for the tanks to advance. We will do it no matter how many casualties we suffer. We will do it not for honor or glory, we will do it because it our duty. Tell this to your men. Tomorrow this time either we will be sitting on that bridge or will be dead'.
Saurab heard a commotion and opened his eyes. He saw his battalion commander Col.Vijayaragavan standing next to his bed. The colonel said, 'The Paratroopers fought like hell!. This victory wouldn't be possible if we hadn't taken that bridge. We paid a heavy price for that. Vijayant, Vikram and Manoj and scores of other ranks made supreme sacrifice to achieve this. They have been awarded the Param Vir Chakra. If its of any consolation You are awarded Maha Vir Chakra'. The colonel pinned the medal to his pillow and left.
There is jubilation around Saurab for the medal. Saurab didn't care. He didn't fight for a medal. His mind went back to the lines 'theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die:'
My tribute to the Kargil Heroes and everyone who died for his country doesn't matter which nationality.
Skely said...
Amazing Narration...Good one..