We crossed the Zoji La at 11,575 feet; headed towards Leh and crossed Drass & Kargil. We saw the landscapes of Kashmir and Ladakh changing from green to golden sand and then back to green. Kargil and Drass remind us all of the war we fought to save our motherland and were victorious. The Indian hills were captured by Pakistan army at Drass and Kargil, taking a U turn on a peaceful agreement, and were further in plans to extend their arms to the whole of Ladakh. Our soldiers of Indian army and air force fought continuously for 60 days and many of them sacrificed their lives to sway the Indian flag back there. So, crossing the valley without paying a tribute to these national heroes at Kargil War Memorial, Drass will be a real injustice.
 100vw, 961px” data-recalc-dims=”1″><figcaption>Road to Kargil</figcaption></figure>
<p>It was around 1:00 pm; a warm day than usual, we were talking, and driving towards Kargil from Drass city thinking to spot the Tiger Hill, Tololing, and the Kargil War Memorial on the way. Just 5 Km ahead from the city, pink walls surrounding the building appeared and it was the Kargil War Memorial.</p>
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#Ladakh is a place that keep calling #travellers back; without ever ceasing to amaze them. The green #kargil is nestled among the arid #mountains at 8780 feet and River Suru; the tributary of River Indus flows along it. #travel #travels #travelblog #travelblogger #allgudthings #traveler #roadtrip #roadtrippin #wanderlust #wanderer #explore #photography #photo #travelphotography #travelersnotebook #traveling #like4like #instafollow #igers #follow4follow #travelingram #mytravel #picoftheday #himalayas #bluesky #travelpic
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The Heritage Hut at Kargil – Kargil War Memorial
After showing ID cards and making an entry in register he started walking with us. Suddenly, he pointed towards the tall peaks in front, asking us to make out which one is India and Pakistan. We looked at each other, then at him and started questioning, what – are we that close, is someone really watching us from there, have you ever been up there, and so much more like these.
Ques: Can we really see Pakistan from here?
Ans: Yes! That is the peak captured by us and the left one you see there is PoK (Pakistan).
Ques: Is someone always guiding those peaks?
Ans: Yes! Be it winters or summers, someone is always there. If they took the charge of the peak which is at Kargil backdrop, they can target the whole area easily.
Ques: How long have you been here and how is life here?
Ans: It is just 2 years. Life is really tough but I always wanted to be in the army and the dream has come true. We are living for our nation. India is my mother and I will fight for it. (There was a deep passion and pride when he was speaking these words and my gaze was fixed on his expressions).
Ques: Have you ever been on that peak?
Ans: Yes! I was there in the winters for 6 months. I just came back at the base this week as I have to go for a holiday to my village.
Ques: In winters, the whole peak might be covered with snow, so how you manage to survive?
Ans: There is 10- 12 feet of snow. We stay in bunkers and at times our bunker doors get completely hidden under snow. The soldier on duty outside makes sure that it doesn’t get sunken under snow. (He actually showed us his and bunkers video at the top in winters)
Ques: Are Bunkers comfortable and how do you manage your food?
Ans: Bunkers from inside are really cozy and we have enough stocks for the next six months.
Ques: From where do you get access to water in winters?
Ans: We collect and melt the snow to drink it and it really takes hours to get melted.
Ques: Is there any provision for electricity there?
Ans: No, we cook and do our other activities during day time only. We have solar panels for emergency light and recharging our phones. In winters there is no sunlight for days, so we are totally cut off from everyone.
Ques: What do you do while being there at the peak?
Ans: We have six hours of shift duty and we continuously monitor the activities and movement of the enemy.
Ques: How far is Pakistan’s bunker from India’s?
Ans: It is hardly any distance. We talk to each other shouting and quoting “Bhai” (brother) and sometimes even ask what did you had for lunch.
Ques: Are you afraid that anything can happen at any time and you can lose your life?
Ans: Not only we; but our families are also prepared. We are living for our country. If anything happens we will not die but will get SHAHEED (martyr).
Ques: Do you miss your family?
Ans: Yes! A lot but we don’t mention anything to them. Otherwise, they will cry and will be in pain.
Ques: Do you celebrate festivals?
Ans: When we are at peak, we don’t have any idea about the days, months and dates. But if we have a phone connection, then we get to know.
Ques: Is there any risk at the Kargil base?
Ans: Yes! This is a complete war zone, anything can happen anytime. We have to be always prepared.
Ques: How do you carry your luggage and weapons to the peak?
Ans: We carry them with ourselves while trekking and our guns are really heavy. It almost takes us a day to reach this peak. (He was pointing towards the peak at his back as that was his daily routine to trek the peak)
Ques: Will you be going back to the peak top again after coming back from holiday?
Ans: Yes I will! but our chiefs only take the final decision.
The questioning didn’t end here but he took us to the heritage hut to show the pictures of real heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation and the artillery used during that time. The heritage hut too had pictures of tribes and samples of the traditional stuff of Ladakh. From here, we moved to pay homage at the memorial and see helipad.
 100vw, 1052px” data-recalc-dims=”1″><figcaption>The Heritage Hut & Captured Bunker of Pakistan</figcaption></figure>
<p>The heritage hut too had pictures of tribes and samples of the traditional stuff of Ladakh. From here, we moved to pay homage at the memorial and see helipad.</p>
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