M S Nazki
Everyone loves a hero and Lt Gen Pratik Sharma happens to be one of us
Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, Army Cdr NC, visited units deployed in Krishna Ghati and Bhimber Gali to review the antiinfiltration grid and assess operational preparedness along the LoC. During his visit, the Army Commander interacted with the troops, commending them for their battlehardened resilience, indomitable courage and unwavering commitment to duty. He encouraged everyone to keep improving their skills and use new technologies to stay strong, effective and always ready to protect the Nation. These were the lines we got to develop a story and that is exactly what we did!
- Backing of technology in modern day warfare!
- Mind you the countries at war are all well equipped with technology!
- They have friends as well as foes!
- But it is ultimately the unnamed soldier and the officer that matters!
- To maintain a strong and effective military posture, the Indian Armed Forces are actively improving skills and adopting new technologies to address modern threats and ensure national security……….!
- The Indian Army has designated 2024 and 2025 as the ‘Years of Technology Absorption’.
Technology Adoption & Niche Tech
- AI and Robotics: The Indian Army is establishing an AI Lab and implementing an AI Roadmap (2026–27) to integrate AIbased speech recognition, image analysis tools, and autonomous weapon systems (LAWS).
- Unmanned Systems (Drones): A massive program is underway to train soldiers in drone operations, with a goal of having them droneops ready by 2027.
Key acquisitions include swarm drones, kamikaze (loitering) drones, and highaltitude logistics drones.
- Electronic Warfare & Cyber: Development of cognitive electronic warfare systems and AIpowered counterdrone solutions to disrupt enemy communications and radars.
- Space & Communication: The Indian Army is acquiring its own dedicated communication satellite, GSAT7B, to ensure secure, realtime data connectivity, expected by 2026.
- Indigenous Weapons: Inducting locally produced weapons like LCH Prachand (combat helicopters), Pinaka rockets, and Akashteer (automated air defence control).
Skill Improvement & Training
- Specialized Units: Raising specialized ‘Rudra’ Integrated Brigades and ‘Ashni’ drone units to decentralize surveillance and strike capabilities, ensuring quicker battlefield response.
- Advanced Training Programs: Over 18,000 soldiers were trained in advanced technologies in 2024–25, with plans to train 12,000 more, focusing on AI, data science, and drone warfare.
- Simulation Training: Using largescale simulators and virtual training to reduce the cost of liveequipment training and provide realistic combat scenarios.
Structural Changes & Jointness
- Theatre Commands: Actively restructuring into Integrated Theatre Commands (ITCs) to unify Army, Navy, and Air Force capabilities under a single command.
- Army Design Bureau (ADB): Establishing Regional Technology Nodes to bridge the gap between military requirements and technological innovation from academia and startups.
- SelfReliance (Atmanirbharta): Leveraging the iDEX (Innovation for Defence Excellence) framework to fund startups and MSMEs for developing cuttingedge technology.
- Contextual Focus: The Indian military’s efforts are aimed at building a robust, agile, and “futureready” force that can win wars through technologyenabled joint operations rather than merely relying on numbers, particularly in the context of the evolving security challenges along the northern and western borders.
Let’s start with history
Krishna Ghati (KG Sector) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district is a strategically vital, highrisk military area along the Line of Control (LoC), located about 24 km west of Poonch town. Raised post1971, the Krishna Ghati Brigade guards this active border, often experiencing heavy crossborder firing, infiltration attempts, and infiltration, making it a critical, volatile location.
Key Historical Aspects of Krishna Ghati
- Location: The area is a hilltop overlooking dense pine forests, providing a vantage point near the LoC in the Mendhar region.
- Military Significance: The Krishna Ghati Brigade was established in the aftermath of the 1971 IndoPak war to bolster security in the sector.
- Conflict and Tensions: Known as an active LoC sector, it has witnessed frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan, infiltration attempts, and incidents of brutality against Indian soldiers.
- Heroism and Sacrifices: The area is known for valiant battles, including the sacrifice of soldiers like SubKrishan Singh, and often sees retaliatory action from the Indian Army to silence enemy fire.
- CivilMilitary Interaction: Amidst tensions, the Indian Army often organizes, for example, the Krishna Ghati Premier League cricket tournament at Jhallas village to build rapport with local residents, as well as holding health camps.
The region remains heavily defended, with the Indian Army maintaining a high state of alertness against infiltration and provocations from the Pakistani side.
The Battle
Amidst the turmoil of partition, when Pakistan’s regular armed forces launched an attack on the Jammu and Kashmir state 194748, the state forces, despite being less in number and underequipped, displayed remarkable courage stands as a testament to the valor and sacrifice of Jammu and Kashmir state forces who faced overwhelming odds to defend their territory against the Pakistan aggression.
This battle, especially notable for intense combat and heroic acts remains lesser known but is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the unsung heroes. Their contribution should be remembered and celebrated with other well known heroes and acknowledge their significant role and contribution in liberation of the areas captured by the enemies .
Out of many heroic instances during the battle one such heroic stand taken by the 8th Jammu and Kashmir Infantry, now (JAK Rifles) engaged in the North of Poonch to repulse enemy attack is battle of KRISHNA GHATTI In reference to C. Coy in particular.
Pqt commander Lieutenant Kirpal Singh (later Captain), 11APqt 127777 north of Poonch was attacked by Pakistan regular battalion at about 7.30 Pm on the night of 15/16 July engaged in a fierce battle and once enemy occupied a nearby ridge and intensified their attack by using 2”,3” mortar flare.
Lt Kirpal Singh despite dire conditions and the overwhelming enemy presence led his troops from the front in the most inhospitable harsh weather and terrain exhibiting extraordinary bravery and determination without caring for his life. At one point the enemy came so close shouting to leave and vacate the area but this officer reciprocated in the same tone and continuously motivating and boosting the morale of his men moving from person to person sustaining the morale of his troops despite dire circumstances.
Engaged in intense combat and enduring an exhausting 18hrs fight without sufficient food or water. The officer was out of wireless set touch with Brigade and left with little ammunition but the officer was giving the hopes of rapid supply of ammunition to keep the spirit of fight. On the following morning the battle again continued in full swing and at about 5.15pm, the enemy approached very close to the Pqt again for the final assault. .
Witnessing the imminent threat , Lt Kirpal Singh pushed out a section under SubKrishan Singh assisted by L/Nk Rattan Singh, Sep Bua Ditta Singh, Sep Moti Singh ,Sep Gain Singh to stop the enemies advance in half way .In the face of continuous heavy fires Sub Krishan Singh and his section’s unwavering determination and bravery gave a befitting reply to the enemy aggression and the final assault was repulsed forcing enemy to run away leaving behind large ammunition, Guns and dead bodies.
Battle lasted for about 27 hrs but SubKrishan Singh lost his life and Sep Bua Ditta Singh was fatally wounded later succumbed to his wounds .These two brave souls were honored posthumously for their valor and sacrifice.
The brave souls including their Ccoy commander’s leadership in the face of the enemy’s advance dangerously close and a profound commitment to his duty deserve to be remembered and celebrated. We honor not just their individual acts of heroism but also the collective spirit of the Jammu and Kashmir State forces who stood resolute in the face of adversity.
Their story, though less known, exemplifies the selfless service and unwavering determination of those who defended their homeland against overwhelming odds. Their courage and sacrifice remain a proud chapter in the annals of military history and deserve respect and recognition. As we remember these unsung heroes, it is crucial to keep their legacy alive and acknowledged .Pay tributes and salute the brave hearts unparalleled bravery and selfless service to the nation.
Bhimber Gali, locally known as “BG,” is a strategically vital mountain pass and village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district. Situated on a ridge separating the Poonch and Rajouri Tawi basins, it historically served as part of the Mughal route to Kashmir (“BabeKashmir”) and is now a crucial junction for military, civilian, and trade movement, often experiencing ceasefire violations. …….!
Historical Significance
- Strategic Location: Historically part of the Chibhal region, the pass connects Mendhar, Rajouri, and Surankote.
- Mughal Route: During the 16th17th centuries, Mughal emperors utilized this route to travel to Kashmir. Mughal emperor Jahangir famously documented it in TuzkeJahangiri.
- Mughal Sarai Construction: In 1587, Akbar ordered the construction of a Sarai (inn) to support traveling caravans.
Military and Modern History
- 1947 Conflict: The area was impacted by the Poonch rebellion and subsequent 1947–1948 IndoPakistani War.
- IndoPak Conflict: Due to its location near the Line of Control (LoC), it has often been a hotspot for infiltration attempts and crossborder shelling.
- 1965 War: The “Bhimber Gali Brigade” of the Indian Army played a key role during the 1965 war.
- Modern Infrastructure: The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is developing a 1.1km tunnel, “Bhimber Gali Tunnel,” to improve allweather connectivity.
The Bhimber Gali (BG) sector in Jammu and Kashmir’s RajouriPoonch district is a highly sensitive area on the Line of Control (LoC), frequently marked by infiltration attempts, artillery duels, and significant military engagements. Major historical events include the 1965 capture of OP Hill, recent terror attacks on army vehicles (April 2023), and ongoing antiinfiltration actions by the White Knight Corps.
Key details regarding the area
- Battle of OP Hill (1965): In a major operation after the 1965 ceasefire, the Indian Army’s Bhimber Gali Brigade captured the strategically vital OP Hill on November 23, 1965, to stop Pakistani artillery, according to and.
- Bhimber GaliSurankot Ambush (April 2023): On April 20, 2023, five army personnel were killed when their vehicle was attacked with grenades by terrorists in the sector.
- Infiltration Foiled (March 2026): Troops successfully foiled an infiltration bid in the Bhimber Gali area on March 4, 2026, forcing terrorists back across the LoC.
- Operational Role: The sector is a major infiltration route for militants and is protected by the Indian Army, frequently supported by Special Forces (SF) and Rashtriya Rifles (RR).
- Ongoing Instability: The sector remains active with frequent crossborder shelling, causing civilian casualties, as reported in and.
Battle Of Op Hill
Mendhar Sector, J&K: 02 November 1965: The locality, OP Hill …The Battle of OP Hill (November 2–3, 1965) was a decisive postceasefire engagement in the Bhimber GaliMendhar sector, where the Indian Army (specifically 2 Dogra and 5 Sikh LI) recaptured a strategic Observation Post from Pakistan. Despite a 23 Sept ceasefire, Pakistan held this 5136foothigh feature to direct artillery fire…….!
Key Details of the Battle
- Location: Chuni Nar feature, 20 km southwest of Poonch in J&K.
- Strategic Importance: The post enabled Pakistan to observe and direct fire on Indian positions along the Line of Control.
- The Conflict: The Bhimber Gali Brigade was tasked to reclaim it. The battle lasted two days and was characterized by intense, closequarters combat against fortified bunkers and heavy minefields.
- Key Heroics: Naik Darshan Singh (5 Sikh LI) was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) for his bravery. He continued to charge through a minefield despite losing his leg and arm to destroy an enemy bunker.
- Outcome: Indian troops successfully dislodged the enemy on November 23, 1965, overcoming a heavy wall of fire, marking it as one of the finest actions in Indian military history.
The Indian Army commemorates this victory as a testament to the indomitable resolve of its personnel, often paying tributes at the Bhimber Gali Brigade HQ.
So we come to the final lines: It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are! I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what! Courage is the most important of all the virtues because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.
