A Saga of guts and Glory

[Deletedid1]

[img]http://www.purpleberet.com/pics/71_aout_3-big.gif[/img]

There have not been very many occasions in military history and more particularly in the Indian Army, where a father and son have fought in the same war and both have been decorated for gallantry. This is the story of Brigadier Amar Aul (who later rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and retired as the Chief of Staff Western Command) Commander 56 Mountain Brigade and his son Major Amit Aul both of whom played an active part in ‘Operation Vijay’ in the Drass sector in Ladakh in the summer of 1999. The father and son duo were both commissioned in the 3rd Battalion the 3rd Gorkha Rifles.


It was under the leadership of Brigadier Amar Aul, the first success in ‘Operation Vijay’ was achieved on the capture of the strategic Tololing feature overlooking Drass and dominating the National Highway 1A. The capture of Tololing paved the way in clearing the enemy from the entire Drass and Mashkoh sectors. His achievements after the the capture of Tololing continued by maintaining continuous pressure on the enemy. He maintained the momentum of operations and subsequently his brigade captured ‘Pt 5140’ and ‘Black Rock Three Pimple features’ thereby clearing the entire ridge line dominating national Highway 1A and paving the way for the ultimate capture of Tiger Hill. All through these operations and even under intense artillery shelling, Brigadier Amar Aul as the Commander remained unruffled and handled situations in a very mature and cool manner. In fact he set a personal example of bravery, and leading from the front and catapulted his unit commanders to a very high level of motivation. His motivational efforts and unconventional planning made a significant contribution in the successful culmination of operations. For the successful eviction of the enemy from the Drass sector which not only made the Army but the entire nation proud, Brigadier Amar Aul was awarded the ‘Uttam Yudh Seva Medal’.


Captain (now Major), during ‘Operation Vijay’ was the Company Commander of ‘Charlie Company’ of the 3rd Battalion the 3rd Gorkha Rifles operation under 192 Mountain Brigade in the Drass sector. Amit was assigned the task of probing and, if possible capture the area of ‘Tri Junction and Zulu Top’ held by the enemy. ‘Zulu Top’ was engaged very effectively both by artillery and ground fire. Captain Amit and his boys came under intense enemy small arms and automatic fire. With total disregard for his personal safety and leading from the front, Amit closed in to the enemy position and lobbed a grenade inside the nearest bunker. He then crawled up a steep gradient and closed in with the enemy who were completely taken by surprise and fell back leaving ‘Tri Junction’ in full control of Amit and his boys. For his conspicuous act of gallantry, raw courage and exemplary junior leadership, Captain Amit Aul was awarded ‘Sena Medal (Gallantry)’.


The father-son duo have lived up to the finest traditions of the elite regiment and the Indian army, the name and honour of which every officer must emulate and uphold.

[htnamus]

*=: *=: *=: *=: *=: *=: *=: *=: *=: *=: