In an exceptional demonstration of courage and solidarity, the mountaineers of the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) have embarked on a courageous mission to retrieve the mortal remains of their fallen comrades. This daring operation, undertaken to recover the bodies of three Havildar instructors, symbolises the unyielding spirit of the Indian Army’s esteemed training institution.
In the picturesque setting of the Union Territory of Ladakh, a 38-member mountaineering expedition from HAWS set out on the ambitious endeavour to conquer Mount Kun in July 2023. Their journey commenced on 1 October 2023, with the target of reaching the summit by 13 October 2023. The unforgiving terrain and erratic weather in this glaciated region presented formidable obstacles. Tragedy struck on 8 October 2023 when, while securing ropes on a snow wall, the team was unexpectedly engulfed by an avalanche at an altitude exceeding 18,300 feet between Camp 2 and Camp 3 on the Fariabad Glacier, resulting in the dangerous entrapment of four members in a deadly slide.
“The expedition team made all endeavours to rescue the team members, who fell in the crevasse and got buried under a large volume of snow and courageously laid down their lives in the true spirit of adventure and quest,” said a HAWS spokesperson. Despite their valiant efforts, the team could only recover the mortal remains of Lance Naik Stanzin Targais. The bodies of Havildar Rohit, Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale, and Naik Gautam Rajbanshi remained trapped deep within a crevasse, buried under layers of snow and ice.
'Leave No Man Behind'
In an extraordinary display of courage & camaraderie, the mountaineers of the High Altitude Warfare School #HAWS undertook a heroic mission to recover the mortal remains of their fallen comrades, the three Havildar Instructors, who were caught in the deadly… pic.twitter.com/G6phXaSlqM
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 10, 2024
Daring Mission
On 18 June, the HAWS launched ‘Operation RTG’ to rescue three missing soldiers: Rohit, Thakur, and Gautam. The mission involved 88 expert mountaineers and was meticulously planned. A road head camp was set up 40 km from Khumbathang with specialised mountaineering and rescue equipment, special clothing, survival kits, tents, and meals. Two helicopters were on standby in case they were needed to transport the remains of the soldiers or evacuate the rescue team.
A Base Camp, located 13 km from the road head at a height of 14,790 feet, was set up with Maj Gen Bruce Fernandez overseeing the rescue efforts. Brigadier SS Shekhawat, Deputy Commandant of HAWS, personally led the search operation. The incident site was 3 km from the Base Camp at an altitude of 18,300 feet. On June 25, 2024, a forward base camp was established with two intermediate camps for acclimatisation. The team took every precaution for their safety, including equipping themselves with satellite phones, special tents, advanced tools, and support from helicopters stationed 20 km away.
First Breakthrough
The first significant breakthrough occurred on 4 July when the remains of Havildar Rohit Kumar (Dogra Scouts) were found about 30 feet deep in the snow and ice. The remains were transported to Kumbathang by helicopter. “With renewed resolve, the team, facing challenges posed by extreme cold and difficult terrain, went 10 feet deeper into the crevasse,” said Brigadier Shekhawat. On 7 July, the team recovered the remains of Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale (Gorkha Rifles).
The search continued for Naik Gautam Rajbanshi (Assam Regiment). On 8 July, the team successfully retrieved his remains, accomplishing the mission. The mortal remains were transported to their respective families with full military honours, bringing closure to their loved ones.
According to Maj. Gen. Fernandez, “Operation RTG successfully completed all its objectives, and the nation stands in solidarity with the courageous soldiers of HAWS, honouring their remarkable bravery and unwavering dedication.” HAWS’s extraordinary efforts serve as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our armed forces and the unbreakable bonds forged in the crucible of duty and honour.
Team BharatShakti