As Lt Col Vishnu Laxman Wadodkar SM (Retd) sits in the drawing room of his residence in one of the lanes of Laxmi Nagar, glancing through the pages of the coffee table book of the unit he was with years ago, his keen eye catches the minute details. As soon as he spots what he was looking for, he gets up from the chair and brings out the details. Even at 82+ years of age, one comes to know that he is as agile and composed as a young disciplined soldier. Most people see, but some observe. The people who observe, learn a lot. Lt Col Vishnu Wadodkar has always been a keen observer of things. The veteran of 1971 Indo-Pak war that led to creation of Bangladesh 50 years ago, served the nation as a highly skilled Forward Observation Officer (FOO) in the Western Sector and helped neutralise enemy positions effectively and also in breaking up a counter attack by the enemy. For the courage and devotion to duty displayed in the thick of the war, he was honoured with Sena Medal by none other than the legendary Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw, the then Chief of Army Staff. In fact, he served the nation in 1965 and 1971 wars, in Rajasthan. As far as 1971 war was concerned, he was a Captain with a field regiment.

 

“As the preparations were in progress in anticipation of the Pakistani misadventure, we reached the forward concentration area on October 18, 1971. There we were engaged in information, Intelligence, co-ordination, and communication exercise,” he recalls. Being a FOO, his role was very important. An FOO moves ahead with Infantry unit. His role is important. For, he gives support to Infantry in attack. He is the first one to notice the moves of enemy, and can call for Artillery fire on precise locations of the enemy. “But, there is always a risk involved. Because, the enemy can make out the location of the Observation Officer from map, reference, and direction of the mortar fire from the opposite side,” explains Lt Col Wadodkar.

 

When the 1971 war broke out, the unit he was with reached Sakheriwala Khu. However, soon came the input that Pakistanis column was advancing towards Ramgarh. So, the unit was asked to move to Ramgarh. Meanwhile, the famous Battle of Laungewal/Longewala broke out. The force of which Captain V L Wadodkar was part of, got the orders to push Pakistanis from Laungewal vicinity to the International Border some 15 kms away. On December 8, 1971, Captain V L Wadodkar was the FOO with a company of a Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, which attacked an area in the Western Sector. “The attack was virtually halted due to intense and accurate enemy fire. Captain Wadodkar moved from position to position and in complete disregard of his own safety neutralised enemy positions effectively. Later, he was instrumental in breaking up a counter attack by the enemy,” reads the Sena Medal citation of the 1971 war hero. There was, of course, much more action on ground. Being FOO, he was responsible for noting enemy moves and passing on the advance information. In certain situations, the FOO is empowered to order fire too.

 

However, on one occasion, on realising that the enemy also was watching the movement of Indian troops in the area, Captain V L Wadodkar created a smokescreen to obstruct the enemy observation. What followed was bold and precise action by Indian troops, which resulted in destruction of enemy vehicles. “Later, when we moved forward, we came across abandoned vehicles, leftover hot food, and other things left behind by the retreating Pakistani troops,” recalls the war veteran. While he was discharging his duties, he was always exposed to the risks on the frontline. On many occasions, enemy shells landed close by to his location. Often, the war-time operations entailed untiring efforts. For instance, after completing his duty for long hours, he walked back to the base 15 kms inside Indian territory, but was sent back again to observe more and report.

 

So, despite exhaustion, he retook the position and continued with the duty. Of course, a soldier is also a human being. But, a soldier is much more than an ordinary person. “It happens in war. In fact, once you are on duty, you feel energised,” he says with a pleasing smile. Beneath that soft and pleasing smile is a soldier toughened by myriad experiences. During war, one also comes across heart-touching moments. Captain V L Wadodkar also came across such experience in 1971. As he recalls today, there was an Infantry Company that comprised mostly of the Jats. “There were two of them, passing the ridge at a location. They were arguing very loudly. Suddenly, we heard a warning whistle about oncoming Pakistani aircraft. The arguing duo, as well as us at a distance, took shelter cover in bushes. However, the enemy aircraft did some strafing. When it was all over and the enemy aircraft was gone, we all came out only to see that one of the arguing men was lying dead and the other one was wailing. Death ended the argument on a sad note...” says Lt Col Wadodkar. After a pause, as if for resurvey of the past, the present-day brightness returns to the eyes of Lt Col V L Wadodkar.

 

“A lot has changed since those days. Back then, we used to face hardships in moving guns through pathways laid in the sand dunes to the designated positions. Now, there are proper roads for swift movement of men and machine. Even the training, equipment, and facilities have improved to a very great extent. I am happy about the change,” he adds. Before signing off, he once again takes a look at the not-to-scale map of the action at Kharotar embossed on mementos and also at the coffee table book on ‘Operation Cactus Lily’. Probably, the war veteran is trying to see through the portal of time into the past. Or, probably, the veteran is trying to reassess the imprints left on the sands of time.