we also spotted some Pakistani soldiers near a bunker. Before we could take any action, we were surrounded by heavy firing. In that exchange of fire, we lost our porter-cum-guide. As we had no orders to retaliate, we returned to our post, said the veteran.

On the same day, they received orders to go and capture the post from another side. But, after reaching the point, the team had to face heavy artillery shelling, and this time, they lost 4 of their men, and eight were injured.

“Due to the heavy shelling, we were unable to take back our casualties from the war front. Hence, we had to return to Adam post (close to Bump No 3) on that same night. Here, I and two-three other soldiers stayed with the injured ones. And next morning, we learned that the Ammunition depot in Kargil was destroyed by enemies. It was a big loss to us,” said Sub Pawar.

Meanwhile, the information about the missing of Captain Saurabh Kalia spread like a wildfire. Two back-to-back losses enraged us and we decided to teach a lesson to the enemies, said the medic.

Fortunately, on the next morning, a team of 10 and 5 Para SF reached our post and with them, I, who already was sustaining splinter injuries, occupied a forward position to capture bump No 1 of the post. But again, we failed to capture it, he added.

Later, the Para SF team made another attempt, and this time, they succeeded in capturing bump No 1. Now, they got orders to capture bumps No 2 and 3. The troop fought courageously on both fronts and unfurled the tricolour there too. In that skirmish, we lost Para trooper Surendra Singh and one soldier from Ladakh Scouts. We had 10-12 injuries whereas 11 Pakistanis were killed and 7-8 ran away to the Pakistan side, said Sub Pawar.

During the Kargil war, Sub Pawar also led the Kargil field ambulance for some time where he took care of a large number of casualties and injuries with a group of Army doctors.

Six Prisoners of Wars (POW) of Pakistan were captured in the Batalik sector. During my posting in the Kargil field ambulance, I treated four of them who were brought injured by our men, said the JCO.

During his 28-year service, Sub Pawar served in Congo and Sri Lanka in United Nations’ Peace Keeping Mission. He was there for about 1 year. Apart from that, he served in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Sikkim, Nagaland and Rajasthan also.

While posted in Manipur, Sub Pawar was also kidnapped by insurgents, and later on, he was released after treating an insurgent. After the Kargil war, Sub Pawar received a warm welcome from Nagpurians and was also felicitated by different organisations. He earned 12 medals, including Operation Vijay Star Medal, for his courageous service.

On the eve of Kargil Vijay Diwas, let’s salute these heroes who saved the honour of the nation and kept the tricolour flying high.