AT A DISTANCE of a few kilometres from Kargil, one can drive along river Shingo. The blue sparkling water of the river offers a mesmerising scene. Then one comes across a bridge that connects Kargil Road with the other side of the river. The bridge is known as Harka Bahadur Bridge. Who is this Harka Bahadur? Just as this question comes to one’s mind, one spots a memorial on the roadside. And, one gets to know who the man was. His story also enlightens one that Kargil’s tryst with wars with Pakistan dates back to 1947-48. In fact, Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana of 1/5 Gorkha Rifles was the man whose supreme sacrifice paved way for the advancement of the Indian forces to wrest Kargil from the occupying Pakistani forces and raiders. For some historic background, in early months of 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) initially preferred to sign a ‘Stand still Agreement’ with both India and Pakistan. Pakistan readily agreed to it, but soon its treacherous nature was exposed. Since September 1947, Pakistan started sending raiders, tribesmen, irregular forces into J&K with an obvious intent to occupy it. By midOctober, even the elements of Pakistani regular Army infiltrated into J&K areas. Alarmed, finally, Maharaja Hari Singh signed the ‘Instrument of Accession’ of J&K to India on October 26, 1947, pavingthe way for entry of theIndian forces to rid J&K of the raiders and Pakistan’s military misadventure. Irked over this, Pakistan hatched a conspiracy to initiate aggression to capture J&K and conceived ‘Operation Gulmarg’ with an objective to march towards Srinagar. Simultaneously, Pakistan also conspired to annex the Northern Area comprising Gilgit, Baltistan, and Ladakh during October-November 1947, that is, 76 years ago. Major William Brown,Commander of the Gilgit Scouts, announced on November 1 the accession of Gilgit to Pakistan.Skarduals ofell to the raiders.

 

 

 

The enemy overwhelmedandcapturedthelightly held garrison of Kargil. Consequent to the fall of Kargil, the enemy secured the crucial Zojilapassatanaltitudeof11,580 ft, a vital link between Ladakh and Srinagar. OninductionoftheIndian Air Force, it was planned to operate from Leh airfield for capture of Zojila,Drass,andKargil.1Patiala made an attempt to advance through Zojila but was stopped by the enemyoccupying the key heights at the pass. The brave men of 77 Parachute Brigade under Brigadier KLAtal swung into action but their attempt could not succeed because of insurmountable challenges. Here,the in genuityof Maj Gen K S Thimayya, then General Officer Commanding of 19 Infantry Division, yieldeda daring and unparalleled solution that enabled the77 Para Brigade to break through Zojila, and relieve Drass and Kargil on November 23, 1948 and gradually restore Srinagar link up with Leh. On October 29, 1948, & Cavalry commenced the ascent to the designated assembly area irrespectivelyof heavy snowfall.

 

The Herculean task of getting the tanks (yes, tanks!) up the steep winding path with rocky cliff faces on one side and sheer depth on the other.This remains an unparalleled chapter in the history of tank warfare. However, there were many stories of heroism till the Indian forces finally took control of Kargil and other areas. In several areas, the Indian forces faced mammoth challenges in terms of inhospitable terrain, enemy dominating the heights,chilling winter,and operating with whatever little resources were available back then. One such story of daredevilry and overcoming the odds was scripted in the battle for Khera (also referred to as Kharal or Kharol in some texts) Bridge, a few kilometres from Kargil. It was a crucial link for advancement of the Indian troops towards Kargil, but the enemy was dominating the heights across Shingo river. With the advancements after Zojila, the Indian troops kept pace in mar chingto wards Kargil. However, five miles to Kargil, near Kharal Bridge, they faced a challenge. The retreating hostiles crossed over the bridge, burnt it, and moved on to the higher ground on the other side of Shingo river. From their positions, they targeted the Indian troops and stopped them from advancing towards Kargil. The chilling winter and enemy fire presented a tough challenge for the troops. The capture of the bridge seemed to be impossible. The troops could not keep on fighting the enemy from a distance. But, toughest of the situations give birth to heroes. Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana was that hero of the moment.

 

He was determined that withdrawal or halt at Kharal Bridge were not the options if Kargil was to be secured soon. The troops of 1/5 Gorkha Rifles, part of 77 Para Brigade, were led by Capt A K Kochar, CompanyCommander. As per one account, Capt Kochar and Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana swam across the icy cold waters of Shingo river and pushed back the enemy towards what is now the area jutting a part of Gilgit-Baltistan. As perthe other, Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana, the brave JCO of 1/5 Gorkha Rifles, and his team of determined men surprised the enemy by crossing the icy cold Shingo river and leading the assault on the enemy positions. One can imagine the level of motivation and grit required to cross a riverin winter at challenging heights andalsoengage the enemy with out bothering for own safety. As per the plaque installed at the Subedar Harka Bahadur memorial near the bridge presently, the brave soldier was honoured with the Military Cross. In fact, the memorial has been built to honour Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana as well as ‘all those brave men whose cured this bridge during the Zojilaand Kargil operations of 1948. The plaque mentions names of 14 other men also namely Nk Sher Bahadur Thapa, Lance Nk Bhim Bahadur Rana, Lance Nk Bal Singh Lama, Lance Nk Kharmal Pun, Lance Nk Padam Bahadur Aale, Rifleman Kishan Bahadur Gurud, Rfn Kishan Bahadur Gurud, Rfn Tam Bahadur Gurud, Rfn Dag Bahadur Gurud, Rfn Eja Ghale, Rfn Harka Bahadur Gurud, Rfn Jag Bahadur Gurud, Rfn Hastu Chand, Rfn Dhan Bahadur Gurud, and Rfn Ran Bahadur Rana.

 

There isabust of Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana under a shed,and amap showing the significance of the bridge, is painted on a plaque. The memorial was dedicated to the Indian Army by Maj Gen SK Khajuria VSM, GOC,8 Mountain Division, on August 15, 2009.The memorial was renovated in November 2021.The national tricolour flied high at the memorial. The Kharal Bridge has been reconstructed with stone columns holding the cables,and has been renamed as Harka Bahadur Bridge in honour of the brave soldier whose daredevilry paved way for advance of the Indian forces towards Kargil. As per one reference quoting the War Diary entry of 1/5 Gorkha Rifles for November 24, 1948, Lt Col HS Parab, Major Hari Chand of 2/8 Gorkha Rifles, 2nd Lt S K Kaul of 2/4 Gorkha Rifles along with a small guerrilla party mounted on ponies had reached Kargil onthatdate. By that time, the hostiles had already retreated from Kargil.It completed the recapture of Kargil and restored the linkup with Leh. Though not much is known about this hero called Subedar Harka Bahadur Rana, the standing monument in the form of the bridge will not let people forget him. Still, a height overlooking Kargil was illegally occupied by Pakistan. This troubled the Indian troops for years to come... till 1965, at least! (To be continued)