 | |
|
Havaldar Mohammed Razzaq of the Dras brigade has built a fan-following for himself with his impressive homage to the martyrs at the Kargil war memorial, Drass.
They show people listening in rapt attention to the matter-of-fact but a powerful speech by Havaldar Mohammed Razzaq.
As the Indian flags flutter to the wind, Havaldar Mohammed Razzaq stands erect in uniform, looking martial in his imperial mustache. Keeping his hands behind, raising them only occasionally to point at the direction of the battle fields, he begins his recap of the battle for the Kargill hills, which form the line of control between India and Pakistan.
The troops of both the countries would withdraw from the hills, which became very cold and inhospitable in winter. The periodic movement of the troops was considered so important, it was even sanctioned by the Shimla agreement.
But in the winter of 1998, Pakistani troops occupied the Kargil heights, to secure a strategic advantage over Indians. From their vantage positions, they could fire at vehicles plying on National Highway One.
In the summer of 1999, Indian troops began Operation Vijay to evict the Pakistanis. Moving up the hills, one by one, braving Pakistani fire, engaging the enemy in hand-to-hand and close gunfire combat, Indian Army won back all the hills.
Havaldar Mohammed Razzaq recalls the battle for each hill, listing the officers, JCOs and soldiers, who gave up their lives.
A generation has passed since the battle for Kargil hills were fought. Many today seem to have almost forgotten the soldiers, who shed their blood to secure the country's borders.
These two videos, made on different occasions, but with similar content, has Havaldar Mohammed Razzaq' giving them a timely reminder.
India is observing the 16th Kargil anniversary this year.