Operation Rajiv

Siachen has been an issue of war b/w India and Pakistan. However, a patch of land heavily covered with snow remained unattended and catered extremely cold conditions. Perhaps both the sides believed that patch of land would never be visited .

Soon , China was ceded by Pak a land in Indian territory which measured upto 80 sq. km. As expected, undue activities were started under the pretext of RESEARCH. On getting alerted, India made a move to occupy *Saltoro Ridge* area on the glacier. Subsequently, Pak ordered its troop to set up their post and named it as the Quaid Post .

A mission was carried out to regain the Quaid Post . Unfortunately, when the team was just 500 mtrs away from the post , they were ALL SHOT DEAD. Yes , you read it right . Whole team , which included 10Jawans , 1 Naib Subedar headed by 2/Lt Rajiv Pande , was killed in a gruesome manner.

Ignited by the fire of revenge,

Operation Rajiv was launched (the team was headed by 2/Lt Rajiv Pande.)

Naib Subedar Bana Singh who joined the Indian Army at the age of 19 in the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (8JKLI) ,was not part of the operation originally. However , on the recommendation of Col. Rai he was inducted in the team. 

2 of the soldiers died on the way due to hypothermia ( a condition when the body temperature is lower than the normal)

High velocity winds , snowfall and difficulty in breathing; looking at all this , the team called it a day.

"The post has to be captured , we cannot let the deaths of Rajiv and his men go unavenged" thundered Col. Rai.

Finally on 26th June 1987 , surviving the deadly terrains , ferocious weather and visibility almost equal to zero , Bana Singh along with some soldiers was 15 mtrs. away from the Quaid Post. Imagine, 15 meters away. The former team was shot dead within 500 mtrs, reaching till here was no less achievement for the team this time .

The braveheart Bana Singh now flung a grenade inside the enemy's bunker and latched it from outside. Meanwhile most of the Pak. soldiers were killed, some escaped who were later laid to death with light machine guns.

The enemies were routed out. The team proved that the Indian soldiers can risk their life to safeguard their motherland and her honour. Operation Rajiv was accomplished!!

Salute to Bana Singh's extra ordinary courage and leadership qualities. Soon the next day , the Quaid Post was renamed as the BANA POST. This was extremely an unique way of honouring. Adding to this , Bana Singh was also awared with THE PARAMVIR CHAKRA, which is the Highest Gallantry Award in India. Since the prestigious Indian Army believes in "esprit de corps" , the other team members were awarded with one Maha Vir Chakra , seven Vir Chakra , one Sena Medal and the Commanding Officer and the Commander were awarded with Uttam Yudh Seva Medal.

Honestly speaking, it's not only the nature that adds to the eye catching and mesmerising beauty of the Siachen but also the numerous sacrifices of our brave soldiers too.

But soon enough artillery shell would be fired under the same sky. I hoped that someday there would be peace on the Siachen glacier, roses (Sias) would grow wild , ibexes would roam and that mountaineers could explore and climb freely.

- Siachen Glacier: The Battle of Roses .

Jai Hind.