Brave ITBP jawans in Operation ‘Chirwar’ 1998

 

Brave ITBP jawans in Operation ‘Chirwar’ 1998

Elimination of 5 dreaded militants of South Kashmir 

Vivek Kumar Pandey

          ITBP troops are highly trained to fight in the mountainous and high altitude terrains. The long range area domination patrols and great reach towards locally human intelligence was the biggest weapons of the Force when they were deployed in the valley from the year 1989 to 2004. More than 40 brave hearts of the force made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in the valley fighting the anti national elements. One such story is of Sh Ashok Kumar Rana, AC/ GD who was awarded Shaurya Chakra (Posthumously).

19^th Battalion Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) was deployed in Anantnag District of South Kashmir during the year 1998. The area was known for dreaded groups of highly trained militants of Lashkar-E-Toiba operating after been infiltrated to the valley from the POK through Pir Panjal ranges through Banihal top. The 24^th Battalion ITBP had been exemplary in conducting operations against the militants but the threat was eminent at all the time.

          The 19^th Battalion had achieved great success against the militants, even then the area was flooded with reports of fresh recruitment and other militant activities in the District. It was reliably learnt that a group of more than 4 militants were the key to all militant activities and attacks on Security Force in the areas.

          After 31 October, 1998, there had been intelligence input about the movement of some highly trained foreign militants in District Anantnag. Many radio intercepts and other input suggested of some big planning of the militants against the Security Forces operating in the area.               

Shri Ashok Kumar Rana, AC/GD was posted in 19th Battalion, ITBP. The Battalion received specific information that some foreign Militants were hiding in Village Chirwar, Distt- Anantnag (J&K) on 2 November, 1998. As per the laid down Standard Operating Procedure, the planning to nab the militants was briefed to the troops by Sh Rana, and Sh Kabul Singh Bajwa, Commandant, 19^th Battalion ITBP.

The village was situated at a geographically challenging location where open broken ground and jungle terrain was available and was suitable for the militants in case they try to hide. This opportunity was very important for the Battalion as the group of militants was identified as the main force behind all anti national activities in the area, who was rarely found together.

 Shri Ashok Kumar Rana, AC was an experienced ITBP officer. He had the experience of leading dozens of anti militant operations in the valley. The Commandant Sh Kabul Singh Bajwa gave him all resources for the operation.

Sh. Rana along with the highly trained ITBP jawans laid cordon around Village Chirwar in the early morning along with some other parties of the Battalion. While requesting all the villagers to come out of their houses, five foreign Militants of Laskere-Toiba outfit came out from a house and started indiscriminate firing targeting the ITBP jawans.

 It was a dangerous situation when life of the villagers was on stake. ITBP is known for keeping human values and upkeeping Human Rights. All villagers including the children and old were taken to safe places by the jawans to prevent loss of lives in militant’s firing.

After ensuring the safety of the villagers, Sh Rana launched an operation to nab the militants. He was received by a volley of bullets from sophisticated weapons fired upon both Shri Rana and ITBP troops approaching towards the house. It was when, an encounter ensued. Shri Rana saw movement of militants and immediately challenged them. The militants fired indiscriminately targeting him. Sh Rana was able to gun down one militant. In the gun battle, Sh Rana was hit by a volley of fire. Without caring for his safety, Sh Rana kept on firing and killed another militant.

  Sh Rana ensured that the militants are pinned down till the other parties assaulted the house to kill rest 3 militants. He made the supreme sacrifice and showed exemplary courage and devotion to duty in the operation.

 After the House Clearing Drills, huge quantity of Arms, Ammunitions, Wireless sets, training précis and other intelligence value materials were recovered from the area including the dead bodies of 5 militants.

One militant was identified later as an IED expert and Commander of Lasker-e-Toiba. In this operation, five hard core militants of Lasker-e-Toiba were killed and a large quantity of arms, précis and other intelligence valued material were recovered.

For raw courage, determination and gallantry, Sh Ashok Kumar Rana was awarded with the ‘Shaurya Chakra’ (Posthumously) on Republic Day, 1999. It was the first Shaurya Chakra award to the ITBP in the History.

          It was after this encounter, that the militant outfits operating in the entire area of Anantnag District faced heavy blow. Their main operatives were killed in this operation which ultimately weakened the militant organization.