On December 4, 1971 at about 6 pm ‘A’ Coy and ‘C’ Coy of Har Maidan Fateh, 18 Punjab along with Battalion HQ assembled at Kala Pahar before moving for an operation. This column was fully charged and ready to cross LOC. All valuables and money were handed over to cooks and clerks who formed the rear party. No one was parting with water. The mood was tense.

Maj Sahota was the 2IC of the battalion. More than a 2IC, he was a ‘C’ Coy Commander because of his long association with ‘C’ coy. Sub Narang, senior JCO of the ‘C’ Coy, was a notorious character. He was small, ugly and always up to some mischief. On that day, during this sombre occassion he could be seen hurling abuses against everybody.

The Brigade Commander came to his newly prepared command post on a horse-back at Kala Pahar- a gesture not liked by many in that charged atmosphere. Maj Kulwant Singh was seen moving left and right giving instructions to his CHM Nachattar Singh. Maj Kulwant was tense. The 90 Khalsas were to cross the LOC in that area which they were guarding for so long. LOC in the area is not marked. It runs along the hill tops, nullahs, streams and so on. When you guard a piece of land secured with minefields for a long period, you develop a sense of extreme danger in your mind. You feel that the moment you step across the LOC in front of your post, you are likely to be welcomed with a barrage of bullets and mines.

Kulwant and Sahota were at their best. Sahota with his fatherly figure and smiling face and Kulwant with his serious look were exhibiting all qualities of leadership. Lt Col BS Joshi was the Commanding Officer. He had trained his command well and was confident of delivering the goods. No one thought of coming back to Black Rock and hence wanted to finish every thing stored at the post. Therefore, doors of all ration stores were thrown open. There was plenty of sakar paras, milk maid, tinned ration and rum bottles. Anybody could pick up as much as he wished.

The experience of crossing the border can only be explained by the person who had done it. It is a feeling of fear and being shot at any moment or to be blown out into pieces once you step on landmines. Kala Pahar is at great height and the route to Brachil Pass was walking down the slopes and then a steep climb. The column moved whole night with little rest in between. While moving on a single file formation, it is very difficult to keep pace. A little delay for few seconds by a person can cause a major breakdown in the move during night. The one who stops and causes a break, runs and joins the group later. Ration tins issued to troop were not in harmony with the rifles of the jawans and make a loud rattling sound in the night which could be heard at a distance.

We were deep in the enemy territory and some one would whisper in your ear that we were reaching Islamabad. The noise of Sub Narang could be heard at distance. He was a famous character to cut jokes and spread rumours even at that moment. He was uncontrollable and only Sahota could keep him under control. At midnight, everyone started thinking about the next morning where all posts around would open fire. The fear increased because nothing had happened for four to five hours from the time of crossing the border.

All telephone wires were cut so that the enemy could not communicate with posts at Brachil Pass. At about 4 pm, the first bullet was fired on us. It was not a bullet but suddenly the dark night turned into something like Nauchandi fair of Meerut. The enemy opened up from all sides with almost all types of weapons. Everyone went on to the ground for safety. Rocks and boulders provided shelter. For quite sometime nothing happened except few people fired upward. Initial fear of war was now over. Firing was from the top of the ridges and hills. There were tracers rounds every after two to three bullets. This gave us lot more confidence since the trajectory and direction of the fire could be seen. It was all over the head and we were safe. All neighbouring posts also opened fire. After one hour, there was a loud war cry and every one charged towards Brachil Pass. Brachil Pass was captured.

We suffered casualties- two killed and some injured. Sahota was hit on his neck. But he refused to be treated and evacuated. With this motivation everyone volunteered to do something new. Initial victory is very important in a war. Enemy was on the run and with no planned bunkers behind, they could not offer any substantial fight. Delta Coy and Bravo Coy (Dogras) were made to attack from Harka Bahadur Bridge. I had no knowledge of that side but they also captured Hathi Matha and other posts around that area.

Later, in one of the operations, CO alongwith a Coy strength of troops went to attack a hill which was ahead of the Brachil Pass. They walked during the day towards the hill. The enemy had seen them and laid a trap. Once reached close to the hill, the troops were resting, recouping and re-organising to go for attack. Sikh troops have a great skill to use stove for making tea even while marching. Nb Sub Hardyal was right in front of me, resting his back on a boulder. The enemy attacked and caught us with our boots off. Hardyal was shot with a burst of LMG and he did not move an inch or said a word.

There was no time to organise or retaliate because the enemy attacked from the ridge line. We suffered heavily. Many were killed. Joshi was declared killed by Pakistan radio but he was safe and sound. Nk Bhuller was caught by the enemy. He later reported in the unit as a released POW. Hardyal and many more remained missing or presumed dead. A post was named as Hardyal Post to honour his bravery.

Last but not the least, humour in uniform was plenty. The 15 Field had deployed its guns behind our trenches in Saini Kund. The enemy opened guns and we all quickly got into the trenches because the bang and flash was very close. Edn JCO was very outspoken and he was found roaming outside his trench. Balwant Singh Johal was another character who could make people laugh in any circumstance. Johal asked the Edn JCO to get inside the trench. Saab replied, "How can I get into the trench when my children are fighting on the front". Johal promptly said in a chaste Punjabi : Saab tunsi ki covering fire de reho (Are you giving them a covering fire?). Even after so many years, the memories make me proud of the fact that I was part of that fighting force in 1971.