Along the Chhamb-Jaurian Axis, November 29
The gun may have fallen silent, but for the troops manning the Line of Control (LoC), the three-day-old ceasefire has meant little change. The Army continues to maintain vigil as usual.
Wary of the fluid situation, a status quo on the deployment is being maintained by commanders entrusted with guarding the LoC, though strict orders have been passed down the chain of command not to open fire except in retaliation. Weapons at place, sentries are manning positions and regular patrolling is being undertaken across the mildly undulating terrain having thick vegetation.
“The only difference is the sound of silence that now prevails,” an officer remarked. Just a day before the ceasefire was announced, his post had come under heavy Pakistani fire, which had continued for over an hour. “The same daily routine of scanning the areas across the demarcated line, keeping track of movements, compiling duty rosters, checking ammunition and sending regular reports to higher formations is on,” he added.
Troops too are apprehensive and cautious with their movements. “Ceasefire or not, we have to remain careful. If any fire comes from across the border, it would be without any warning,” a JCO in charge of a forward post within small-arms range said, while confirming that there has been no violation of the ceasefire. Mortars and artillery are in place, ready to open up should things take a tumble for the worse. “We are ready for any eventuality,” he added.
The respite in crossborder firing, however, have given an impetus to the task of repairing and strengthening defences. They are now able to devote more time to such tasks as earlier such activity was restricted. Some additional sentry posts are being constructed while others are getting a much needed touch of concrete and earth. The Army, like opponent on the other side, has constructed strengthened bunkers along the ditch-cum-bunds which form the line of defence in this area. The bunkers have been designed keeping in mind the penetration capacity of Pakistani shells.
With winters now setting in, troops along the LoC are in for a harsh time. Though living conditions have improved in the past couple of years, the nature of duties will remain the same as was during the past decade.
“Life in the bunkers may have become a little more comfortable, but out in the open, troops are exposed to the elements,” an officer said. “During patrol or on sentry duty, troops, for instance, cannot cover their ears as it will affect their hearing capability,” an officer pointed out. “Similarly, a sentry cannot light a fire or keep a bhukari alongside to keep himself warm as it will give away his position,” he added.
Unlike as in the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir where passes and infiltration routes are blocked by snow in winter, there is no such seasonal respite in this area. The terrain is dense forests with hillocks.
Logistics, however, is not a problem in this region, with road-heads being a little distance away. Troops spoken to said that there was regular supply of fresh rations, fuel for heating and other allied provisions.
With winters setting in, there would be a change in the scales of rations and fuel, with troops authorised for addition items to ward off the chill. Just about every post now has a generator set.
