2024-07-09 19:49:35
New Delhi: The stories of the Kargil war 25 years ago still send chills down the spine. Stories of brave army soldiers in this war are still told. One such story is of Sepoy Satpal Singh of the 8 Sikh Regiment. Despite being hit by four bullets from the enemy’s AK-47, Satpal Singh fought bravely. After a fierce hand-to-hand fight that lasted for several minutes during the Kargil war, Captain Sher Khan of the Pakistani Army and three others were killed by Satpal Singh. Captain Sher Khan was posthumously awarded Pakistan’s highest gallantry award Nishan-e-Haider, which is equivalent to India’s Param Vir Chakra. You will be surprised to know that this award was also given to Sher Khan on the recommendation of Satpal’s senior officer who had confirmed Khan’s bravery.
When Indian soldiers moved towards Tiger Hill
Tiger Hill, one of the highest peaks in the Kargil area, was occupied by the Northern Light Infantry of the Pakistan Army and the mission to recapture it was assigned to the 8 Sikh Regiment. Sepoy Satpal, now 51, recalls how Sher Khan of the Northern Light Infantry and other Pakistani soldiers kept abusing during the battle. Satpal says Sikh soldiers are full of bravery and were not to be intimidated. Our 8 Sikh Regiment was given the task of recapturing Tiger Hill. A team was formed which comprised 52 soldiers, including two officers, four JCOs (junior commissioned officers) and 46 other ranks.
Faced a counter attack from the Pakistani army
Satpal says that on the night of 4 July 1999, our Ghatak platoon recited, did Ardaas and then moved towards the point of Tiger Hill which was occupied by the Pakistani army. On the morning of 5 July, amid the slogans of ‘Bole So Nihal Sat Sri Akal’, we captured India Gate near Tiger Hill. Some of our enemies were killed while others managed to escape. Satpal recalls that the next morning on 6 July we faced a counter-attack from the Pakistani army. Despite being less in number, the Sikh soldiers fought bravely and pushed the Pakistanis back. But this was not the end of that battle. Satpal says Pakistani Captain Sher Khan then gathered his army for the third time for a counter-attack. He did this even knowing that he would not be able to defeat the Sikh soldiers.
Within a short time, four bullets were fired from AK-47
Recalling that day, Satpal says that I saw Sher Khan wearing a track suit. At that time we did not know who he was. For more than five minutes we exchanged gunfire and abused each other. I fired at him which injured him and then pounced on him. But within seconds I was hit by four bullets from an AK 47 which hit my right leg, stomach, left arm and left shoulder. I somehow composed myself and opened fire on the three guards covering Sher Khan. After a hand-to-hand fight, I managed to shoot Sher Khan. Both of us fought bravely.
Pakistani captain got praise
In the battle that lasted for about 50 minutes, 18 soldiers of our team were martyred, including three JCOs and 15 other ranks while more than 85 soldiers of the enemy side were killed. On the morning of July 7, our team from the headquarters arrived to take us to the hospital. Satpal may have fought Sher Khan, but he acknowledges his bravery. Satpal says that Sher Khan was brave and strong. Our commander also put a slip in the pocket of the dead Pakistani captain, which mentioned that he fought bravely. Satpal says that he inherited the spirit of war from his father Late Ajaib Singh, who fought in the 1971 war between India and Pakistan on the Ferozepur border of Punjab.