Command and Control

One of the patrol route

My movement from base camp to the hill top post  had made earlier than scheduled.We were getting ready  to move that day suddenly we got instructed to move immediately as there was a secret information that some militants are hiding  in one of the house on the way to our post.As I was new to face such situations our Commanding Officer(CO) was ready to send an experienced officer with us.We moved up hill reached near the house,cordoned,and challenged on militants and moved inside the house for search.Only we could find some ladies and children.I am not sure whether the information was wrong or militants moved away before we get in.whatever It was my first hand experience in the field.We were very careful in each step we keep on earth,that there is a possibility that militants put trap wires or keeping grenade pin opened with lever pressed with some support  of roots, stones etc.A slight touch will make it explode.

Once we reached the post after 4hours of walking up hill, we took over our company posts.We had 5 posts under D company .There is a river flowing front side acting as the borderline between the two countries.other side of the river in the valley their state highway is there.The  previous Unit form whom we took over the security of this area,had forced to stop plying of vehicle on that road.Because the other country used that road against us for transporting military and militants.

As we have short of officers , we had only three officers in our company.In few days our Officer Commanding(OC) company had deputed for some other work in Delhi and he had to leave the post.So by default I have to do the officiating OC duties,as the third officer also new but I was one up in rank ( technical entry).

checking the pistol before moving out for patrol

I remained in command post in one hill top and the other officer was send to another hill top around 2 hours walk.Inside my post there is a Peerbaba Mandir.One time people from other side of the river also used to visit the temple.The villge under our area was once had famous market and there were many educated localites residing in that area.I did my first patrolling duty with my men to familerize the area and  the gaps through which the militants can nudge in to our country  and had to take necessary measures to prevent that.I used to give routine reports to the commanding officer and any unusual movements noted in the other side is immediately reported.I used to do   frequent visits to all posts under my controll and observed things and took inputs from the men who manned the posts.

Reach the North most Railway station to move further by road

With almost one week travel in the train,we reached the station where we had to unload our things to move further towards the field area by road.After emptying the train we stayed in the nearby Army units for another one week  to plan and prepare the move.All the things that we got in the train again loaded to the available Army Vehicles and balance in the Civil Hired Transport(CHT) vehicles.

on top of  mountain pass

  with my company commander in our post

We had to move another 400km by road.It the month of June not that much snow in the roads.Our advance party had moved into the field by Nov-Dec and where complaining about snow all over the place and they had to walk/slide over it to reach the destination.But for main column we had planned no-snow time that because of the huge stock of stores and equipments we had to carry with us.We halted at four  nights on the way before reaching Base Camp.Because the large column moves in very slow speed.Every night the cold was better than the previous day.At the last halt I had to get inside two sleeping bags one over the another to escape from the sever cold.The place was on the bank of river and below a narrow hill gap .The sound of chilly wind and the sound of  river water made it a musical night.

Next day we reached the destination.Gun fire from the other side of the boarder welcomed us.They had come to know through their intelligence that new unit is occupying the location.So they want to show their presence or want to scare the new troops!!!! In base  all of us camped for the night .Next day company wise moved to the respective bunkers adjacent to the border and took over  command and control of the area allocated.

Journey in a special train to North

The travel through road was really exciting, by keeping the vehicle column intact and move steadily by maintaining  the distance between each vehicle at minimum.If any vehicle break down, recovery / repair detachment will attend the off road vehicle and catch up with the other vehicles.On the way there was scheduled halts for food and with special permission of convoy commander ,some breaks for rest was allowed. Traveling on road catching up the beauty of desert was really a different experience.We camped at night with some local units on the way.After three days travel ,when we reached the rail head,almost every one was exhausted and we were looking for a good rest.All vehicles parked near platform for loading into the train next day.

 Break time in training during academy days

Next day ,the special train for us had not been placed in platform,so that we could not  load our things.[The rolling stock(the special train) contains,first class boggy,second class for all we soldiers,closed wagon to carry our luggage and of unit items,open flat stock for loading vehicles,and like that different types of carriages(i am not remembering its technical names/railway jargon for each type of carriage) connected together].When we checked with the railway authorities,they told its not readily available because of some reason,and we have to wait for one more week to get the rolling stock.We felt that waiting one more week in the railway station is  of no use.So we approached the ministry and gave an emergency request for allotment and we got the rolling stock placed for us in two days.We shifted all our items including some vehicles in the train.And one fine morning the train started moving towards our destination.

This train took three times more time than the normal train.So we took 5 days,where the normal train will take 1.5 days to cover the same distance.The train had halted in a day minimum three times for food,in some times separate halt for filling water/charging in the train in different places.The halt is generally for 2-5 hours.If traffic is not clear it may halt more.So we will get down from the train and will go for shopping and sight seeing in the near by town.Thus we know the pace of life and people at different place on the way through out our journey.One occasion we had to go to station master to complain about very very low speed of our train  and the station master explained us full railway traffic signal system ,how its works and why they are not giving signal to us,when we urged them to give our train green signal first.

 In another special train to east

Its really fantastic experience to travel such long distance in train with troops.The unit was functioning in the train as it was camped in any other place.So the regular roll call and continuous instructions reached to each and every one as always.We had put security guards on duty and all others were involved with various duties.The sanctity of an army unit was maintained through out the journey.Every one had some story to tell ,on their previous experience in the field,in boarder ,with militants,in tough hilly terrain,in jungles,on snow clad mountains.Newbies like me imagined all those things on the way and geared up more courage to face any kind of such hostile situation.

Prepare for move

In this station, I attended the church function and involved in all the proceedings sitting in the front bench. I felt the god’s presence as days light. In Masjid, Mandir, Gurudwara, Church or what ever way we call it we go and focus our thoughts to the altar and pray as focusing the sunlight with a lens and feel its power.

     

One day we assembled in brigade head quarter to send off the commander. He is retiring from his service. All the soldiers from that station had assembled there to pull the Jonga decorated with flowers from head quarter building to the gate. There was a strong emotional attachment and bond as one from the family is going back proudly fulfilling his duty after devoting his whole life to the Nation.

      a break during outdoor exercise in academy

It’s always important for an organization to have a proper communication procedure. Army has an excellent way to do that. It’s not in the procedure, but the commitment in following it. So no flip flops and no goof ups. Structured, time bounded, directional, KISS (Keep It Simple and Short) orders reach faster undiluted to all levels and with a feedback at every stage.

By this time the full unit was getting prepared to move. I had to go and see the packing of various sections. Prepared load chart in the vehicle as per items to be loaded in each vehicle. Finally we had to move. I became the In charge of the transport column ,became a convoy commander taking around 40 loaded vehicles under my supervision, travelled around 250 kms to reach the rail head, where from our special train to Jammu had been booked.

Getting closer to my first Army unit