Army chief visits PVC awardee Capt Bana Singh

Over the weekend, General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Indian Army, visited the Army Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi Cantonment to meet Honorary Captain Bana Singh, a Paramvir Chakra (PVC) awardee and one of the most revered figures in the Indian military.

Bana Singh, 75, is celebrated for his role in one of the most remarkable operations in Indian military history. In June 1987, as a Naib Subedar with the 8th Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI), Singh led a daring assault to evict the Pakistan Army from its post on the Siachen Glacier. The capture of the 'Quaid Post' at 21,153 feet earned him the country's highest gallantry award for bravery in the face of enemy action. He is one of only three living PVC recipients, alongside Subedar Major Sanjay Kumar and Honorary Captain Yogendra Yadav.

At the time of the operation, the Pakistan Army had established the Quaid Post on the Saltoro Ridge, providing a strategic vantage point over the Siachen Glacier and the Indian Army’s movements. The post was positioned on a 1,500-foot ice wall, making it nearly impossible to approach without being spotted.

After India took control of the Siachen Glacier in 1984 during Operation Meghdoot, Pakistan sought to regain control of the ridge by establishing the Quaid Post. In 1987, India launched Operation Rajiv, named after Second Lieutenant Rajiv Pandey, to capture the post. The mission was perilous: Naib Subedar Bana Singh volunteered for a special task force, scaling the steep ice wall under harsh conditions. Despite weapons malfunctioning in the extreme cold, Singh and his team pressed forward, and after intense hand-to-hand combat, they successfully captured the post. A day later, the Indian Army renamed the peak "Bana Top" in his honor.

What is the Siachen Glacier?

The Siachen Glacier, located at the northernmost tip of India, forms part of the Saltoro Ridge. It lies between the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan and the Aksai Chin region of India, with the glacier and surrounding ridgelines serving as critical military positions. The Indian Army dominates the heights on the Saltoro Ridge, which also serves as a vital strategic buffer for routes leading into Ladakh. The glacier and its surroundings have been the focal point of military operations since the mid-1980s, as both India and Pakistan vie for control of the region.

Can Siachen be De-militarized?

Pakistan has periodically suggested de-militarizing the Siachen Glacier, and the issue has been discussed in track-II diplomatic channels, though no agreement has been reached. From Pakistan’s perspective, the Indian Army's control of the region's commanding heights makes the Saltoro Ridge vulnerable. However, from India's point of view, vacating the area is not feasible due to its strategic importance. Since the 2003 ceasefire agreement, active fighting has ceased, but both sides continue to maintain troops in the region. India’s military presence, along with advanced surveillance systems and modern weaponry, ensures dominance over the area.

A Glimpse into the Past and Future

General Dwivedi’s visit to Bana Singh underscores the reverence held for the hero of Siachen. As the Indian Army continues to secure the region against potential threats, the legacy of brave soldiers like Capt. Bana Singh remains a testament to India’s commitment to defending its territorial integrity.