New details have emerged about the surgical strikes India carried out across the Line of Control (LoC) in retaliation to the attack on the army headquarters in Uri in September last year.
According to a report in The Times of India, the entire exercise was planned with textbook precision by scores of army personnel, though 19 para-soldiers were "integral" to its execution. Details of the mission, which hadn't been revealed by the government so far, came to light during the bestowal of the gallantry medals during the 68th Republic Day celebrations earlier this year.
On the occasion, members of the security establishment spoke of the risks involved in the mission, with special reference to the Major Rohit Suri's role in heading an eight-member team to strike at the terrorist hideouts on an amavasya (moonless) night.
Major Suri, who belonged to the 4th Para and was honoured with a Kirti Chakra, took great risks to destroy terror camps, as his colleagues faced heavy fire from their opponents. Colonel Harpreet Sandhu, who is a commanding officer of 4th Para, was given a Yudh Seva Medal. The team won four Shaurya Chakras and 13 Seva Medals in all.
Though no soldiers were killed in the operations, one paratrooper, who was part of the surveillance team, suffered injuries. Officers and soldiers showed exemplary courage under gunfire to either save each other or launch swift attacks on enemy targets, often taking them unawares.
Read here the full report of the outstanding bravery displayed by the army under adversity.
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