# Battle of Bahadur post

Battle of Bahadur post (Indian codename: Operation Trishul Skakti) was a military engagement in September 1987 between Pakistani and Indian forces for India's Bahadur Post near the Chulung Glacier in the southern part of Actual Ground Position Line in Siachen. Pakistani forces attempted to capture India's Bahadur Post on the peak overlooking the Chulung Glacier which lies to the west of the Bahadur Post, followed by the start of defence operations codenamed Operation Trishul Shakti by Indian forces. Eventually, Pakistani offensive was stalled after exhaustion of momentum and the battle ended in an Indian victory, and India continues to retain control of the Bahadur Post. The Bahadur post is named after the Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung of the 3rd battalion of 4th Gorkha Rifles of Indian Army who was instrumental in defending this post by killing 3 fleeing Pakistani soldiers with Khukri in hand-to-hand combat after running out of ammunition, he was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra (MVC) gallantry award and the post was renamed after him.

## Background

The Siachen conflict between India and Pakistan began over the disputed 1,000-square-mile (2,600 km$^2$) Siachen Glacier region in Kashmir. The conflict was started in 1984 by India's successful capture of the Siachen Glacier as part of Operation Meghdoot, and continued with Operation Rajiv in 1987. India took control of the 70-kilometre-long (43 mi) Siachen Glacier and its tributary glaciers, as well as all the main passes and heights of the Saltoro Ridge immediately west of the glacier, including Sia La, Bilafond La, and Gyong La. In Chulung, due to recent Indian armed forces deployments and under the cover of bad weather, Pakistani forces initiated their offensive.

## Battle
### Defence preparations

Multiple small scale assaults provided large gains for Pakistan in Siachen including one at this post earlier the year on March at 6:50 in the evening, when Pakistani forces started attack on the Indians using RPGs, AA guns and light weapons destroying an Indian bunker. Then Pakistani forces started a military build up in the Chulung La Glacier to prepare for capturing the ridge. The military post in the area named Bahadur post was under the control 12th Jammu Kashmir rifles deployed recently. Indian forces anticipating the Pakistani assault had also started preparations.

### Pakistani offensive

Pakistani forces under the cover of bad weather and low visibility started their campaign on 20 July. By 28 July, Indian forces started noticing the signs of Pakistani activities in the region and resultantly a search party was organised but no Pakistani forces were detected. On 29 July another search party reported the arrival of Pakistani forces. Indian forces were instructed to engage Pakistani troops with mortars and small arms fire. On 31 July, seven sorties of Lama helicopters landed many Pakistani troops into the battlefield .

### Indian response

At the dominating positions Indian forces constructed a Fire support base. Reserves from Indian forces were transferred to the frontlines. Pakistani forces were struck by small arms fire from the firebase in addition to artillery and mortar fire. An Indian force was sent from Bahadur post to occupy the Saddle OP (Tiger Saddle). Indian forces were quickly able to gain full control of Saddle OP (Tiger Saddle). Pakistani forces started artillery fire in order to provide cover to Pakistani forces. For two days, multiple small scale engagements were reported. The ground combat resulted in sixty nine fatalities on the Pakistani side including eight officers. Casualties on Indian side were reported to be unknown but still heavy. Indian armed forces also deployed Mil Mi-17 helicopters in the region for military operations as well as for search and rescue operations

### Helicopter shootdown

On 1 August, two Pakistani Lama helicopters were detected by Indian forces which fired IGLA missiles upon them. One of the helicopters carrying commander of 323rd Brigade, Brigadier Masood Anwari struck killing him and two others. It was the first shootdown of an aircraft by an IGLA missile and only shootdown of a Pakistani helicopter by an Indian MOPAD. Indian force also deployed Missile squadron which were to partake in the republic day parade to the area in order to strengthen their defence in the region against Pakistani intrusions. The helicopter crash led to a loss of momentum in Pakistani side and stalled the offensive. Artillery duels continued till 3 August.

### Bravery of Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung

The Indian post manned by Gurung had repulsed the Pakistani attack on the night of 22-23 September 1987. Pakistani attacked again on the night of 24-25 September 1987 with heavy artillery killing the Indian commander, consequently Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung took over as Section Commander as the Indian ammunition ran out. Under the heavy Pakistani fire, Gurung made two sorties to the Platoon Headquarters to replenish his Section with ammunition successfully repulsing series of Pakistani attacks. At 0325 hours when Pakistanis were just 50 yards from the Indian post, Gurung left the safety of his defensive trench and charged Pakistanis with rifle fire and grenades causing the panicked Pakistanis to run away as Gurung's ammunition also ran out and he attacked and killed 3 or the 4 fleeing Pakistani troops with his Khukri. Gurung later died of gunshot received in the chest during hand-to-hand combat and as awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.
His citation reads:
"5342711 NAIK PREM BAHADUR GURUNG, 3/4 GORKHA RIFLES (POSTHUMOUS)
(Effective date of award-24 September 1987)
Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung of 3/4 GORKHA RIFLES was inducted at Siachen Glacier area, where his company occupied defence at Bilafondla Complex. On the night of 23/24 September 1987, enemy troops launched determined attacks on his post but were repulsed. Again, on the night of 24/25 September 1987, enemy troops launched a massive attack on the post with heavy artillery shelling. During the action, the Commander was hit and Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung took over as Section Commander. As the battle raged, his Section was running out of ammunition. Undeterred, he ran to his platoon headquarters twice under intense fire to replenish the Section with ammunition. His section ultimately beat back a series of enemy attacks.
On 24 September 1987, at about 0325 hours, enemy troops launched yet another attack. When the troops were just 50 yards from the post, he got out of his trench and charged them, throwing grenades and firing with his rifle. At this gallant charge, the adversary's troops took to their heels. Having exhausted his ammunition, Naik Gurung threw away his rifles, unbuckled his Khukri and ran after them hacking three of the four fleeing soldiers. But during the hand-to-hand fight, he was shot in the chest and later died. Naik Prem Bahadur Gurung displayed conspicuous bravery in the face of the enemy's troops and died fighting for his country."

### Epilogue

High Altitude combat exponentially favoured the Indian defenders as they were logistically. Due to the terrain attack directions were predictable making defence easier than offense. The employment of companies and battalions made the attack predictable but both sides didn't use combat aircraft in the conflict. In such a hostile environment, giving up the strategic gains made by the military was an embarrassment. So, Pakistan was compelled to start peace negotiations to end the Siachen conflict.

## Aftermath

This conflict brought negotiations in favour of India. Pakistani officials sent a proposal to India about ending the Siachen conflict and withdrawal of troops from both sides of the front. This was in accordance with the Indian demands about ending the Siachen conflict and was widely accepted by Indian military leadership but the Indian political leadership didn't accept the proposal and the conflict continued till 2003.
High casualties of around 72 Pakistani troops dead and several hundred wounded led to the dismissal of Force Command Northern Areas Major General Zahirul Islam Abbasi from his command by the army chief Gen. Asif Nawaz. Moreover, helicopter shootdown led to the formation of a designated IGLA squadron by Indian military.