Ladakhi shepherd who alerted Army about Pakistani intrusion into Kargil passes away

Tashi Namgyal, the Ladakhi shepherd who first warned the Indian Army about an intrusion by the Pakistan Army into Kargil in 1999, has passed away.

The Leh-headquartered 14 Corps of the Indian Army on Friday posted on ‘X’ about the sudden demise of Namgyal and added that “his invaluable contribution to the nation during Op Vijay 1999 shall remain etched in golden letters. We offer deep condolences to the bereaved family in this hour of grief".

‘Operation Vijay’ is the military name for the conflict with Pakistan in May-July 1999.

Local shepherd Namygal was looking for his missing yak when he saw Pakistan Army regulars in Pathan outfits, digging bunkers atop the Batalik mountain range. He informed the Indian Army about the Pakistani infiltration in the Kargil sector that led to the response from India.