Digendra Kumar

Digendra Kumar (Hindi: दिगेंद्र कुमार) (born 3 July 1969) is a recipient of Mahavir Chakra, awarded to him on 15 August 1999, for his acts of bravery in Kargil War in recapturing Tololing hill on 13 June 1999. He retired from 2 Rajputana Rifles of the Indian Army on 31 July 2005.

His family

Digendra Kumar was born on 3 July 1969 in the family of Shivdan Singh Paraswal. He belongs to village Jhalara, tehsil Neem-Ka-Thana, Sikar district in Rajasthan, India. His mother was Rajkaur. Shivdan Singh was a strong follower of Arya Samaj, who joined Indian Army and was badly wounded in 1948 Indo-Pak war.^[1]

Career in Army

Digendra Kumar joined 2 Rajputana Rifles on 3 September 1985. After completing the training his battalion was posted in Kashmir.^[2] In 1987 he was selected for Indian Peace Keeping Force and took part in 'Operation Pawan' in Sri Lanka.

He was awarded Sena Medal in 1993 for his anti-terrorist operations in Kupwara area of Jammu-Kashmir. In 1994 his services were appreciated for recapturing Hazratbal Dargah from the terrorists.

Operation Pawan

Operation Pawan was the codename assigned to the operations by the Indian Peace Keeping Force to take control of Jaffna from the LTTE in late 1987 to enforce the disarmament of the LTTE as a part of the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord. In brutal fighting that took about three weeks, the IPKF took control of the Jaffna Peninsula from the LTTE rule, something that the Sri Lankan army had then tried and failed to achieve for several years. Supported by Indian Army tanks, helicopter gunships and heavy artillery, the IPKF routed the LTTE. But this victory came at a price, as the IPKF lost around 214 soldiers.^[3]

His role in this operation is very interesting. Digendra Kumar and his group was assigned the task of patrolling in Tamil dominant areas. Five Tamil militants fired and killed five soldiers from the squad of Digendra Kumar. So he along with remaining soldiers followed the militants who entered the house of an MLA. The MLA opposed the action and in the fight MLA along with five militants were killed. This raised a heated controversy and Digendra Kumar was penalized and remanded.^[1]

Meanwhile 36 soldiers of 10 Parachute Regiment were captured and put somewhere inside a deep forest. Lt Gen A.S. Kalkat assigned this task to Digendra Kumar to get them free. Digendra Kumar took 50 kg ammunition and biscuits and sailed through the River which was supplied with 133 KV current to reach the point of target. He not only saved 36 soldiers of 10 Parachute Regiment who were arrested by LTTE people in a forest for 72 hours, but also destroyed an important ammunitaion depot and killed 39 militants. This act of bravery was highly appreciated.^[1]

Key role in Kargil war

Naik Digendra Kumar (2883178A), 2 Rajputana Rifles, Maha Vir Chakra, was commander of the Light Machine Gun Group during his company's assault on Tololing feature in Dras Sector. The objective was to capture a well-fortified enemy post located in a treacherous high altitude terrain at over 15000 feet. Major Vivek Gupta, 2 Rajputana Rifles, and his Company was given the task of recapturing Point 5490.^[1]

On 13 June 1999, when the Assault Group was nearing its objective it came under effective enemy fire of a well-concealed universal machine gun and heavy machine gun leading to heavy casualties in the Assault Group. Naik Digendra Kumar was hit by a bullet in his left arm. Undaunted and unmindful of his own injury, Naik Digendra Kumar kept firing with one hand and brought down effective and accurate Light Machine Gun fire on the enemy. His accurate fire kept the enemy's head down while his own men advanced towards the objective. Finally, under his effective covering fire, own troops physically assaulted the enemy position and cleared it after a hand to hand fight. Despite being seriously wounded, it was due to his courageous action that the Assault Group could finally capture the objective.^[4]

The importance of this victory cannot be underestimated. Till then the daily sight of men coming down the mountains carrying their dead comrades was a distressing sight. To the men stuck on various points in mountains the taunting of the Pakistani troops had left them feeling impotent. Now the Army had got a major victory followed by a string of successes. It meant that the Pakistanis could be beaten in spite of all the odds. Once again Indian soldiers with their fierce determination, living on so little achieved the impossible. Retaking Tololing was truly the turning point of the war.

The role of Digendra in Kargil conflict was very crucial. In the Kargil war the first and foremost work was to recaptured the top of Tololing. This task was entrusted to the 2 Rajputana Rifles. General Malik called a meeting of the Rajputana Rifles at Gumri and asked plans to free the hill Tololing. Digendra stood up and introduced himself that he was Digendra Kumar, known as cobra, soldier of the 2 Rajputana Rifles and a commando of the Indian Army. He chalked out a plan through which victory was certain.^[1]

Digendra narrated his plan that he needed 100 meters of Russian rope that should weigh 6 kg with bearing capacity of 10 tonnes along with Russian nails which could be easily put in the rocks. He also demanded injections of high power that could remove fatigue and provide courage. With this much of material they would climb the hill diring the night and put the rope up to hill top with the help of nails. The way was a formidable and inaccessible but he had examined with field binoculars and tested well.^[1]

In the evening of 10 June 1999 cobra Digendra hugged his colleagues. Seeing the dreadful path and the task, all had in mind that the cobra and fellow colleagues would not come alive from the mission. They understood it probably the last meeting. It was the night-time. There was deadly silence in the hills except the blasts. There was snow and snow all around. Slowly and slowly with cautious steps the cobra Digendra and his companions moved ahead with military goods. They put nails in the rocks and then tied the rope. When tired halfway took the injection. When the hands of the Digendra stopped working, he took grip of the rope with the teeth, both hands left open in the sky as if their life is in the hands of God. Down below was a chasm 5000 feet deep. They began to move crawling towards the goal. At many moments they faced as if the death had come, but saved. After 14 hours of hard labour they reached the top of Tololing and felt the greatest pleasure. After all, the entire journey was with a rope. They reached back the battalion with the hanging rope.^[1]

At about 11 a.m. on June 12, 1999, General Malik encouraging Digendra said, "Son! Accept congratulations of V. P. Malik 48 hours in advance of our success. Son! If we win the Kargil, Malik himself will bring breakfast for you tomorrow morning. " ^[1]

According to the plan to free the hill Tololing commando team included Major Vivek Gupta, Subedar Bhanwar Lal Bhakar, Subedar Surendra Singh Rathor, Lance Naik Jasvir Singh , Naik Surendra, Naik Chaman Singh Tewatia, Lans Naik Bachchan Singh, CMH Jashvir Singh, Havaldar Sultan Singh Narwar and Digendra Kumar.^[1]

Pakistani army had made 11 bunkers on the Tololing hill top. Digendra was to target first and the last 11th bunkers. Rest were to target the remaining 9 bunker. They moved up with ammunition.^[1]

Kargil was full of the icy wind blows. There was dense darkness and the inaccessible ways to terrify the group. The sudden blasts were heart trembling. Except the blackness of death – there was nothing to see. They started climbing hill along the rope fixed on nails in the rock. Crawling Digendra reached unknowingly towards a machine gun nest. Holding the stones Digendra was moving ahead. When the blood was about to freeze they took power injections. Digendra’s hands suddenly touched a barrel of a machine gun with which the enemy was throwing the ball and it had become pretty hot. Perceiving the presence of enemy, he removed the barrel and within moments threw a grenade in the bunker where there was explosion and a loud voice came from inside - "Allah ho Akbar, the attacks of infidels !!!".^[1]

Digendra hit the target perfectly. The first bunker began to fire and was reduced to ashes. From behind there was firing by Artillery tanks and 250 commandos. Pak Army had also been playing an equal share. Cobra’s colleagues did the intense firing but they were not able to move. The firing cannons were made to fire a meter above. Digendra was badly wounded. Three bullets had hit in the chest of cobra Digendra. One leg was badly wounded. Top faced 18 bullets. The cobra’s pitthu had been reduced to sieve. His one shoe was missing, pant and shirts were reduced to the pieces. Digendra’s LMG was also missing from his hands. The body refused to do anything but the brave men had not lost the courage. He did forthwith the primary treatment to prevent blood flow.^[1]

The Pak Army Major Anwar Khan sitting on top of the hill was roaring. The roar of Anwar Khan brought Digendra to senses and arouse his courage.^[1]

When he saw behind he found that Subedar Bhanwar Lal Bhakar, Lance Naik Jasvir Singh, Naik Surendra, and Naik Chaman Singh had taken the last breaths. Digendra was given pistol by the Lans Naik Bachhan Singh, Sultan Singh gave the grenade and then wavering mother’s Chunari they took last bade. Major Vivek Gupta, bravely faced the enemy, but as he took support of stones, he was hit with bullet in the head, the soil became red with his blood and he slept in earth mother's lap for ever. Rathor gave his pistol and ammunition and died. This way all the colleagues of Digendra had received martyrdom.^[1]

Digendra had some courage and then hurled grenades in other bunker and doing so – he destroyed all bunkers. He threw 18 grenades in 11 bunkers. Major Anwar Khan suddenly came just in front. Anwar Khan was shot on his pistol that fell away, and it was the last bullet in Digendra’s pistol. Digendra tried to shoot with the pistol but in wain. He had to regret. Digendra jumped on Anwar Khan. Both rolled along for a while. Anwar Khan tried to run away, but Digendra picked him with neck. Digendra jumped and kicked on the back of Khan. Khan fell in a ditch and started to cry in pain. Digendra was wounded but picked Major Anwar Khan with his hair, beheaded him and hailed Mother India.^[1]

It was only a coincidence that a U.S. satellite passes over the top of Tololing at that moment to find that a young beard man binding scarf around his head with the cut head of Major Anwar Khan in his hand was trying to put Indian flag and hailing Mother India. The satellite captured this file photo.^[1]

Thus Digendra with great difficulty could reach and recapture top of the hill and put the Indian tri-colour flag on 13 June 1999 at four O’clock in the morning.^[1]

The Indian Army reached Tololing peak early in the morning and found heaps of dead soldiers. The Indian tri-colour flag was hoisted and on its side was Digendra in unconscious state with cut head of Major Anwar Khan of the Pakistan Army in his hand. Digendra was carried to Military Hospital and put in Cobra hut. The Prime Minister of India Mr Atal Bihar Bajpai and the President of India Mr K R Narain visited Cobra and congratulated him for his bravery.^[1]

Mahavir Chakra

Nation's second highest wartime gallantry award Mahavir Chakra was awarded to Naik Digendra Kumar on 15 August 1999 for his daring actions and services to his country duringKargil War in occupying Tololing hill on 13 June 1999. He was in 2 Rajputana Rifles of the Indian Army. Major Vivek Gupta, 2 Rajputana Rifles, and his Company was given the task of recapturing Point 5490.^[1]

When heavy fighting broke out in the Kargil region of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir owing to planned infiltration by militants backed by the Pakistan army, the Indian Army was ordered to clear the heights of those intruders. Many tough battles took place in the region. It was one of the most significant battles, the Battle of Tololing, where Naik Digendra Kumar recaptured Tololing hill by his daring action on 13 June 1999.

The Tololing is a dominant position overlooking the Srinagar - Leh Highway (NH 1) and was a vital link. The Indian army's casualties on the Tololoing peak were half of the entire losses in the whole war. Much of the losses had to do with the nature of the terrain as World War I style frontal charges had to be mounted to reclaim the peaks to dislodge the intruders. The 3 week assault finally culminated with India taking control of the peak and changing the course of the war.

Incidentally this incidence of victory with beard Digendra Kumar carrying Indian tri-colour flag was captured by U S satellite that happened to cross the peak at that very moment in the form of file photo.^[1]

The Indian movie with title LOC Kargil is a 2003 Bollywood war film based on the Kargil War, directed and written by J. P. Dutta. The film stars a large number of Bollywood stars. The actor Avtar Gill has played role of Digendra Kumar, 2 Rajputana Rifles.

In addition to Maha Vir Chakra, he also received Sena Medal and many other medals of bravery.^[1]

Further reading

• Mansukh Ranwa - Mahavir Chakradhari Digendra Kumar, published by Kalpana Publication, Shop No. 57 Upper Storey, Nahargarh Road, Jaipur, First Edition 2008, ISBN 81-89681-09-5.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u} Ranwa, Mansukh (2008). Mahvir Chakradhari Digendra Kumar. Jaipur: Kalpana Publication, Nahargarh Road. p. 21. ISBN 81-89681-09-5. 
2. ^ Mansukh Ranwa:Mahavir Chakradhari Digendra Kumar, Jaipur, 2008, p. 31
3. ^ Operation Pawan. The Battle for Jaffna.
4. ^ Naik Digendra Kumar (2883178A)

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Name	Kumar, Digendra
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Date of birth	3 July 1969
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