Battle of Bahadur Post

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 of the recently deployed 12th Jammu and Kashmir Rifles. 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 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 who fired their Igla MANPADS upon them. One of the helicopters carrying the commander of 323rd Brigade, Brigadier Masood Anwari, was struck, killing him and two others. It was the first shootdown of a Pakistani helicopter by an Indian MANPADS system. Indian force also deployed another SAM squadron which was 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 on the Pakistani side and stalled the offensive. Artillery duels continued till 3 August.

Aftermath

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 did not use combat aircraft in the conflict. In such a hostile environment, giving up the strategic gains made by the military was an embarrassment. Hence, Pakistan was compelled to start peace negotiations to end the Siachen conflict.

This battle 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 political leadership but the Indian military did not 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.