8th Battalion The Sikh Regiment celebrated Tiger Hill Day

Jalandhar, July 6 (Punjab Post Bureau)- There were two turning points in the Kargil War : capture of Tololing and Tiger Hill. The physical and psychological blow to the adversary after the latter was captured by 8^th Battalion the Sikh Regiment on 06 Jul 1999 brought an end in sight to the war in Kargil. Today the battalion colloquially referred to as “CHARHDI KALA” Battalion celebrates its victory against all odds in a very solemn and pious manner to commemorate the contribution of those who made the supreme sacrifice on 06 July 1999.

             Tiger Hill is a majestic feature which stands apart from all other, at a height of 5062 meters, which catches ones eye when driving on NH1A from Zojila to Kargil. Launched without acclimatization and snow clothing, the grit and resolve of the CHARHDI KALA Battalion was put to the ulitmate test when tasked to capture the seemingly invincible feature. Holding on to the flanks of a feature like Tiger Hill for days and weeks to come and then cutting off supplies and reinforcement of the enemy was no mean task. Death was honourable to jawans than continuously staring at the enemy from a distance. Then there were attacks, deception, blocks and beating back of number of repeated fierce counter attacks. The CHARHDI KALA Battalion did all this with unparalleled determination, till the feature had the Indian tricolour flying proudly atop it. Success came with its own price. The battalion lost one Officer, four Junior Commissioned Officers and 30 Jawans in the Battle of Tiger Hill.

             Honours and awards were bestowed upon the battalion to include a Special Citation from the Govt of Punjab and a Battle Honour – “Tiger Hill”. The battalion is celebrating its victory in a series of events being organized from 05 to 07 Jul 2016. Amongst gaiety and fervor, there is also a solemn obligation towards the near and dear ones of those who made the supreme sacrifice. In their remembrance, the traditional wreath laying and Gurudwara ceremony also organized. Amongst several dignitaries present to grace the occasion, were the old skippers, to include Brig D J Singh (Retd), Brig M M Chaudhary (Retd) and Lt Gen G S Shergill (Retd) who was also till recently the Colonel of the SIKH Regiment.