In an extraordinary display of courage and camaraderie, the mountaineers of the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) of the Indian Army undertook a special mission to recover the mortal remains of their fallen comrades.
In July 2023, a 38-member mountaineering expedition from HAWS set out to conquer Mount Kun in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The expedition commenced on October 1, 2023, with the team aiming to reach the summit by October 13, 2023. However, the treacherous terrain and unpredictable weather in this glaciated region posed immense challenges. While fixing ropes on a snow wall, the team was struck by a sudden avalanche on October 8, 2023, at an altitude of over 18,300 feet, between Camp 2 and Camp 3 on the Fariabad Glacier. Four members were caught in the deadly slide, falling into a crevasse and getting buried under large volumes of snow.
Despite valiant rescue efforts, the team could only recover the mortal remains of Lance Naik Stanzin Targais. The bodies of Havildar Rohit, Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale, and Naik Gautam Rajbanshi remained trapped deep within the crevasse.
Refusing to leave their brothers behind, HAWS launched a meticulously planned rescue mission, codenamed Operation RTG, on June 18, 2024. The mission, named in honour of the missing soldiers—Rohit, Thakur, and Gautam—involved 88 expert mountaineers who set out against all odds to rescue the remains of their fallen comrades.
A roadhead camp was established about 40 kilometers short of Khumbathang to deposit specialized mountaineering and rescue equipment, special clothing, survival kits, tents, and meals. Two helicopters were placed on standby to ferry the mortal remains and evacuate the rescue team if needed. A Base Camp was established approximately 13 kilometers from the roadhead at a height of about 14,790 feet. Maj Gen Bruce Fernandez, Commandant of HAWS, stationed himself at Base Camp to oversee the rescue efforts.
Brigadier SS Shekhawat, the Deputy Commandant of HAWS, personally led the search operation, emphasizing the mission’s importance. The incident site was approximately 3 kilometers from the Base Camp. The rescue team faced formidable challenges at an altitude of 18,300 feet, establishing a forward base camp on June 25, 2024, with two intermediate camps for acclimatization. Equipped with satellite phones, special tents, and advanced tools, and supported by dedicated helicopters stationed 20 kilometers away, every precaution was taken to ensure the safety of the search party.
The first significant breakthrough came on July 4, 2024, when the mortal remains of Havildar Rohit Kumar (Dogra Scouts) were found about 30 feet deep in the crevasse. The remains were transported to Khumbathang by helicopter. With renewed resolve, the team braved the extreme cold and terrain, going 10 feet deeper into the crevasse to recover the remains of Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale (Gorkha Rifles) on July 7, 2024.
The search continued for the mortal remains of Naik Gautam Rajbanshi (Assam Regiment). The team’s unwavering resolve finally paid off on July 8, 2024, when they recovered the remains of all three trapped soldiers, ensuring no team member was left behind.
The mortal remains were transported to their respective families with full military honors, bringing closure to the loved ones who had patiently waited to bid a final farewell to the bravehearts. This operation exemplifies the core values of HAWS and the Indian Army: the relentless pursuit of excellence, unwavering commitment to comrades, and the ethos of leaving no man behind.
Comments