Bana Singh - A Living Legend

The bravery of Sikhs is known to us all and there are legends that we have heard from our grandparents, read in Sikh history, and documented by Indian Army. Even the British Army glorifies the brave Sikhs who fought the great wars of the world with professionalism. One such legend is Naib Subedar Bana Singh. This blog is my tribute to the brave Sikh soldier taking excerpts from previously published articles.

Naib Subedar Bana Singh P.V.C.

Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Bana Singh, PVC (6 January 1949) is a retired Indian soldier and a recipient of the nation's highest military award, the Param Vir Chakra. He led the team which conquered the highest peak in the Siachen area as part of Operation Rajiv. The peak was renamed as "Bana Post" in his honour.

The Param Vir Chakra citation on the Official Indian Army Website reads as follows:

CITATION

NB SUB BANA SINGH

8 JAK LI (JC-155825)

Naib Subedar Bana Singh volunteered to be a member of a task force constituted in June 1987 to clear an intrusion by an adversary in the Siachen Glacier area at an altitude of 21,000 feet. The post was virtually an impregnable glacier fortress with ice walls, 1500 feet high, on both sides. Naib Subedar Bana Singh led his men through an extremely difficult and hazardous route. He inspired them by his indomitable courage and leadership. The brave Naib Subedar and his men crawled and closed in on the adversary. Moving from trench to trench, lobbing hand grenades and charging with the bayonet, he cleared the post all intruders. Nb Subedar Bana Singh displayed the most conspicuous gallantry and leadership under the most adverse conditions.

Background 

The Siachen Glacier is located in the eastern Karakoram range in the Himalaya Mountains at about 35.421226°N 77.109540°E, just northeast of the point NJ9842 where the Line of Control between India and Pakistan ends. At 76 km (47 mi) long, it is the longest glacier in the Karakoram and second-longest in the world's non-polar areas. The average winter snowfall is 35 feet, with temperatures in the upper reaches ranging from minus 30 degrees to minus 80 degrees centigrade.

Indian Soldiers on Siachin Glacier

Both India and Pakistan claim sovereignty over the entire Siachen region. The contentious area is about 900 square miles (2,300 km) to nearly 1,000 square miles (2,600 km) of territory.

Siachin Glacier Map

Both India and Pakistan claim sovereignty over the entire Siachen region. It is the scene of armed conflict between the two counties at the highes altitude and coldest temperature.

On April 13, 1984 a small force of the Indian Army occupied the Bilafond La pass. Four days later, another small force occupied the Sia La pass. Both passes, the former at over 18,000 ft and the latter at over 20,000 ft are located in the Saltoro Range and serve as the gateway to the Siachen Glacier.

Indian Slodiers Crossing Siachin Glacier

In early April 1987, another attempt was made by the Pakistan Army to gain a foothold on the Saltoro ridgeline. A small force consisting of about a dozen SSG commandos, using ropes and ladders, went up a vertical cliff and occupied a position at over 21,000 ft that dominated the Indian positions at Bilafond La. They named it Quaid post. The Indian Army made several attempts to evict the commandos but each time they were repulsed with heavy casualties.

Bana Post (Quaid Post), Siachin Glacier

The Quaid Post was located at an altitude of 6447 m (21,153 feet). It was extremely difficult to attack, as it was surrounded by 457 m high ice walls. It had an inclination of 80° to 85° on three sides, and a little less on the fourth side. It was very difficult for the attackers to climb up the peak without getting noticed by the Pakistani soldiers stationed at the top. The scarcity of oxygen made walking long distances difficult, as the troops had to halt every few meters to regain their breath. There were also frequent blizzards, and taking advantage of poor visibility at night was difficult due to the wind chill factor. The minimum temperatures in the area were as low as -50 °C at that time.

To launch an assault in oxygen-depleted rarefied air is considered near suicidal but the Quaid post – situated at an altitude of 21,153 feet - was strategically important to observe nearly 80 km of territory around it. It gave Pakistanis, its then occupants, an edge of not just preventing supplies to other Indian posts but also of interdicting any movement with precise firing.

Operation Rajiv

The efforts to capture Quaid Post started in secrecy in May, 1987, when Second Lieutenant Rajiv Pande led a small group to fix ropes for a subsequent assault party to climb up the post occupied by 17 Pakistani soldiers, mostly commandos from the Special Services Group. Nine of these 13 Indian Army men, including Pande, were killed by Pakistani soldiers and their bodies could not be retrieved.

Operation Rajiv was an Indian Army operation to capture the highest peak in the Siachen area in 1987. An Indian task force, led by Major Varinder Singh, launched multiple attacks to capture the Quaid Post, established by Pakistani Army on top of the strategically located peak, threatening the Indian movement in the area. 

Brigadier (Then Major) Varinder Singh

Over the next few days, the JAK LI assembled a new task force led by Major Varinder Singh to capture the Quaid Post. Captain Anil Sharma was assigned as Singh's deputy. The task force included 62 people, including 2 officers, 3 JCOs and 57 jawans. The assignment, launched on 23 June 1987, was code-named Operation Rajiv in honour of Second Lieutenant Rajiv Pande.

On the evening of 23 June, a platoon led by Varinder Singh set out to find the rope fixed by Pande's patrol. The bad weather slowed down the group: it could travel only 1 km in four hours, in waist-deep snow. Due to heavy snowfall, the team could not find the rope, and retreated to the base.

On the night of 24 June, a 10-men team led by Subedar Harnam Singh was sent out. Another team led by Subedar Sansar Chand followed it at a distance. A third team led by Naib Subedar Bana Singh was kept as a reserve force to be deployed in case the first assault team was stalled due to enemy fire.

"We had no strength to celebrate. At 21,000 feet, nobody does the bhangra, yells war cries, or hoists the Tri-colour. Ultimately, sheer doggedness wins. If we had once hesitated, Quaid would still be with Pakistan," Singh recently told Broadsword, a defence blog run by defence analyst Ajai Shukla. "but Pande had to be avenged, and the relentless firing from Quaid reminded us of what we had to do," 

First Attempt by Harnam Singh's Team

Harnam Singh's team managed to find the rope and the dead bodies of Pande's patrol. The Indian soldiers started climbing the ice wall. They had barely covered a distance of 50 m, when their scout Naik Tara Chand noticed some movement in the front. Alerted by Tara Chand, the Indian soldiers started moving down. But before they could take up the firing positions, the Pakistanis opened fire with medium machine guns. Tara Chand and two others were killed instantaneously. The troops following them were unable to fire back as their weapons had jammed in the -25 °C temperature. Later, the Indians found that the Pakistanis were heating their weapons with a kerosene stove kept below the weapon. Harnam Singh's men first took shelter behind icicles, and then hurriedly dug shallow trenches in the ice. The Indian artillery designated to cover them could not be used to full extent, as there was danger of them being hurt. Ulltimately, the attack had to be abandoned.

Indian Soldiers below Siachin Glacier

The wounded soldiers were later brought to the base, and evacuated via helicopters. Their reliefs were dispatched promptly. The Indians also heard helicopters making regular trips on the Pakistani side. While bringing the bodies of their two dead colleagues to the base, the Indians also discovered the bodies of Rajiv Pande and Naib Subedar Hem Raj. Although the two had been killed a month earlier, their bodies had been preserved in the ice.

Second Attempt by Sansar Chand's Team

On the night of 25–26 June, Subedar Sansar Chand's team led the attack on the Quaid Post, with the remainder of the force following at a distance. The team advanced towards the Post, supported by the medium machine gun fire from the Garden post and rocket launcher fire from the post established by Ram Prakash ahead of the Sonam post. Other support teams with light machine guns had also been deployed to facilitate the advance of Sansar Chand's men. However, these guns jammed due to cold weather. The Pakistani side also continuously used machine gun and rocket fire to stop the Indian advance.

Sikh Soldiers on Siachen Glacier

Sansar Chand reached near the top of the Quaid Post, and wanted additional troops to rush in immediately. However, the battery of his radio set died, and he could not communicate with his Commander, who was located just 100 m behind him. He then asked Havildar Ram Dutt to move down and reach out to the rest of the Indian team. However, Ram Dutt got hit by the Pakistani fire while moving down, and fell almost 500 feet to death. His body could never be recovered. Once again, the attack had to be abandoned in absence of additional fire support.

Final Assault by Major Varinder Singh and Bana Singh's Teams

By the morning of 26 June, both Indian and Pakistani soldiers had nearly run out of supplies, having spent three nights in extremely cold weather. The Quaid Post was held by 7-to-17 Pakistani soldiers at the time. The Pakistani troops seemed to be running low on ammunition, as firing from their side had reduced considerably. By this time, the weather had also improved, with the temperatures just below 0 °C. The Indians' weapons had started working.

Sikh Soldiers - Siachen Glacier

Realizing that the supplies would not last till night, Varinder decided to launch a decisive daytime attack from two sides.The first team comprised 8 men, and was led by Varinder Singh. The second team comprised 5 men, and was led by Naib Subedar Bana Singh.The brigade commander Brigadier Chandan Nugyal contacted Varinder over radio, and promised him fire support from every Indian artillery gun in the range. After a massive artillery barrage, Varinder's team outflanked Quaid from below.

Treacherous Conditions - Siachen Glacier

The team led by Bana Singh launched the final assault at 1330 hours on 26 June 1987. Beside Bana Singh, the group included Riflemen Chuni Lal, Laxman Das, Om Raj and Kashmir Chand. This team approached the Quaid Post from an unexpected direction, using a longer and more difficult approach. There was a blizzard, resulting in poor visibility, which gave cover to the Indian soldiers. Bana Singh's team reached the top of the peak, and found that there was a single Pakistani bunker. They approached the bunker from behind, but realized that their rifles were jammed. Bana Singh then lobbed a grenade into the bunker and closed the door, killing those inside. The two sides also got involved in a hand-to-hand combat, in which the Indian soldiers bayoneted some of the Pakistani soldiers outside the bunker. A few Pakistani soldiers jumped off the peak. Later, the Indians found six dead bodies of Pakistani soldiers.

Indian Flag atop Quaid Post - Now Bana Post

During the operation to liberate the former Quaid post, then-Major Varinder Singh was grievously injured, receiving bullet wounds to the chest and torso. He, however refused to be evacuated, and continued to command his troops. For his gallantry in this action, he was awarded the Vir Chakra, the third highest decoration awarded by the Government of India, for bravery in the face of the enemy.

Gallantry of Bana Singh

It was literally darkness at noon, Bana recalled. The heavy, persistent snow fall and the poor ambient light conditions made you wonder if it was day or night. Naib Subedar Bana Singh led his men through an extremely difficult and hazardous route, climbing in near darkness through a snowstorm. He inspired them by his indomitable courage and leadership.

There was a single, deep bunker on the top, Bana recalled. The Pakistanis must have become complacent because of the foul weather; the heavy snowfall; their success in warding the previous two efforts by the Indians to capture the post. He and his five men were therefore able to close up to the bunker. Bana opened the entrance door, threw his grenades inside and closed the doors… His men set up their Light Machine Gun on single shot. In that extreme climate, the automatic weapon could fire only single shot… After the short but intense close quarter battle that took place, a total of six Pakistanis were killed, with two or three having been bayoneted. Perhaps there were more SSG personnel who may have fallen to their deaths in their effort to escape the Indians bullets, grenades and bayonets.  One of Bana’s brave hearts, Sepoy Om Raj had his hand blown off; surgically amputated. In spite of Bana’s best efforts to save his life, bad weather and visibility as well as the intense shelling colluded. Sepoy Om Raj passed away, being awarded a Vir Chakra posthumously. Bana recalls that, following the protocol and ethos of the Indian Army towards the dead, the bodies of the six SSG personnel were brought back by him and later handed over to Pakistan during a flag meeting at Kargil.

Siachen Memorial  Sikh Soldier

On the morning of 27 June 1987, the Brigade Commander, Brig CS Nugyal who had intimately been involved with the planning and execution of the operation, arrived by helicopter at the battalions launch base. Fiercely hugging Bana and his soldiers, he announced that hereafter, the 22143 feet (6749 metres) above sea level post so brazenly taken away from Pakistan by Naib Subedar Bana Singh and his men, would be called Bana Top in his honour; a decision that a grateful nation and a very proud Army indeed, have accepted for posterity.

Param Veer Chakra for Naib Subedar Bana Singh by Indian President 

Naib Subedar Bana Singh was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, the highest wartime gallantry medal in India, for conspicuous bravery and leadership under most adverse conditions. The highest peak in the Siachen area was named Bana Top in his honour.Rifleman Chuni Lal, and Rifleman Om Raj who accompanied him during the final assault, was awarded Sena Medal. Harnam Singh was awarded Mahavir Chakra. 7 others, including Major Varinder Singh, 2nd Lt. Rajiv Pande were awarded Vir Chakra.

“Operation Rajiv” overall resulted in award of one MVC (for Subedar Sansar Singh), seven Vir Chakra’s and one Sena Medal, besides the PVC. 8 JAK LI had reason to be proud; very proud indeed, for their stupendous skill at arms in the toughest high altitude terrain the world has ever known so far.

Naib Subedar Bana Singh with Indian Prime Minister

Remembering the Bravehearts

"It is an honour to meet you, Sir," we say and Param Vir Chakra winner Honorary Captain Bana Singh replies, "What I did was my duty to the country. I was given a task and I did it."

Bana Singh in his village in Jammu

There is no trace of arrogance that a decorated soldier would perhaps be fully entitled to -- he should after all be an icon of courage in a nation woefully short of heroes -- but Captain Bana Singh makes you feel that what he did was part of a soldier's day at work. The man sitting in front of us in his modest village home flanked with green fields, dressed in a simple pyjama and light sweater, had not only defeated the enemy but nature itself on the most vicious battle terrain known to man, one that has taken the lives of countless Indian and Pakistani soldiers.

Bana Singh Fecilitated at a Function

These days, Captain Bana Singh is invited to participate in commemorative parades, fecilitaions, and ceremonies honoring the Siachin bravehearts. Sometimes, he gets showcased in advertisements marketing medicinal products.

Bana Singh in Indian TV Advertisement

In His Own Words

Interview of Naib Subedar Bana Singh by Kanwar Sandhu:

References:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Rajiv
2. http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/ARMY/personnel/heroes/147-Bana-Singh.html
3. http://www.rediff.com/news/special/the-hero-who-won-a-param-vir-chakra-on-siachen/20160211.htm
4. http://tribune.com.pk/story/368394/the-fight-for-siachen/
5. http://www.thesundayindian.com/en/story/from-quaid-to-bana/7/47831/
6. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/1987-Siachen-hero-passes-away/articleshow/16802705.cms
7. http://www.telegraphindia.com/1160211/jsp/frontpage/story_68701.jsp#.WBNaXC0rLIU
8. http://topyaps.com/know-about-indian-soldiers-in-siachen
9. http://defence.pk/threads/bravery-beyond-comparison-hony-capt-bana-singh.173040/#ixzz4OODd2l48