ROLE OF LADAKH SCOUTS IN K ARGIL CONFLICT

It was ten years ago that the Indian Army launched “Operation Vijay” on 26th
May 1999 and Indian troops moved towards Pakistan occupied positions. Kargil Town
was subjected to heavy shelling from high mountains and people were moved to adjacent
villages.. The Pakistani forces had a clear line of sight from their observation posts on
NH 1A , which is main supply route to Ladakh. The Pakistani shelling of this arterial road
posed the serious threat Indian supply lines of Leh. The majority of posts along the Line
of Control were adjacent to the highway, and therefore it was essential for Indian forces
to recapture these posts.

Achievements of Ladakh Scouts

On 30th May Major Sonam Wangchuk of Indus Wing, Ladakh Scouts was assigned to
occupy Ridge Line at a height of about 5500 m to preempt any possibility of occupation
by Pakistan forces He was moving with a column. Suddenly, they were ambushed by
enemy fire from a vantage point, which killed one Havildar, but Major Sonam continued
to lead his column and progressed and captured the post, after killing two Pakistan army
regulars and recovered one HMG (Heavy Machine Gun), one UMG (Universal Machine
Gun), ammunition and three dead bodies of the enemy personnel. Thereafter, he took
stock of all forces in the Chorbatla axis in the Batalik sector and cleared the axis up to the
LoC of all enemy intrusions at a great risk to his life. In yet another simultaneous gallant
operation in Batalik sector ,operation launched by the gallant soldiers of Ladakh Scouts,
Dog Hill, which is to the West of Point 5000, had also been captured on night 05/06 July
1999. In this operation, six enemy soldiers had been killed and two Heavy Machine
Guns, one Sniper Rifle and two G-3 Rifles along with large quantity of ammunition had
been recovered. These were two of major successes achieved by Ladakh Scouts in Kargil
operation. The Chief of Army Staff made a special instant award of "Unit Citation" to
Ladakh Scouts for their meritorious and gallant performance during the battles of Point
5000 on night 05/06 July Dog Hill on night 30 June/01 July , and Padma Go on night
09/10 July 1999, in Batalik Sector. The unit performed with distinction during Operation
"Vijay" and displayed exemplary valour and grit in the face of the enemy.

Batalik Sector
This sector is located between the Shyok and Indus rivers. The Eastern section of
the Batalik sector consists of Chorbat La (mountain pass), Turturk and Pt 5287. The
Ladakh Scouts captured the ridge of Chorbat La on the Indian side and preempted the
Pakistani forces from occupying the area. This was the first Indian victory in the sector
and resulted in heavy Pakistani losses. Turtuk is an important peak and the location of
several important villages in the valley as well as link to Siachen Glacier. This sector was
recaptured on June 16, 1999 by 11 Rajputana Rifles. Pt 5287 was recaptured on July 5th
by the Ladakh Scouts. The Eastern section was recaptured on July 6th after 38 days of
war.

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(Source Wikipedia)

2
 I took this photo from Kargil Rest House when I visited the area in
connection with my official duty during June 1999.

History of Ladakh Scouts

Ladakh Scouts is a 4,000-man paramilitary unit of local Buddhists and Tibetan

commandos Histoy of Ladakh Scout dates back to 1963. It was raised on 1st June 1963,
following the 1962 Indo-China War, with just eight companies taken from the 7th and
14th Battalions of the Jammu & Kashmir Militia. The main task of regiment was to guard
India's borders in the high altitude areas of the Ladakh region. They were also known as
the “Snow Warriors”They are also affectionately called “ Nunoos”, as the Ladakhis , are
skilled mountain warriors and are unsurpassed in high altitude operations. The Regiment
has taken part in various operations since the 1965 Indo-Pak War. The Regiment was one
of the first units to take part in “Operation Vijay” and crowned itself with glory during
the conflict. Major Sonam Wangchuk, was the most recent recipient of the MVC (Maha
Vir Chakra) for the Regiment in the Kargil Conflict. The Ladakh Scouts was given the
status of a full infantry regiment in the year 2000.

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 Insignia

Battle Honours

During “Operation Vijay”, Ladakh Scouts was conferred upon 55 gallantry awards
including 1 Mahavir Chakra,( Major Sonam Wangchuk) 6 Vir Chakra (Subedar Lobzang
Chhotak (Posthumous) , Hav Tsewang Rigzinn (Posthumous )Subedar Tashi Chhepal ,
Sep Tsewang Morup, Sep Tsering Dorjay and Naib Sub Tundup Dorji,and 2Yudh Seva
Medals (Nk Tashi Nurboo) 15 Sena Medals, 7 Mentions-in-Dispatches, 16 Chief Of
Army Staff Commendation Cards and 8 GOC-in-C commendation cards. On September
18, 1999, Ladakh Scouts Regiment was honoured with the Chief of Army Staff citation
and Banner. Chief Of Army Staff Commendation Cards and 8 GOC-in-C commendation
cards.

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 Major Sonam Wangchuk

CITATION

Maha Vir Chakra

In Operation VIJAY as a part of ongoing operation Maj Sonam Wangchuk was leading a
column of Ladakh Scouts on 30 May 99 for occupation of Ridge Line on the line of
control in a glaciated area at 5,500 Meter to pre-empt enemy occupation and subsequent
infiltration. While moving towards the line of control the enemy ambushed the column
firing from a vantage point. One Havildar of Ladakh Scouts was killed. The officer held
his column together and led a raid on the enemy position from a flank supported by
artillery fire, killing two enemy personnel. The dead proved to be from enemy regulars.
He recovered one Heavy Machine Gun, one Universal Machine Gun, ammunition,
controlled stores and three dead bodies of the enemy personnel from the position. Maj
Sonam on induction took stock of all forces in Chorbatla axis in the Batalik

Ramesh Lalwani
30th May 2009