UDHAMPUR: The most prominent and dominating feature in the Kargil region is Point 13620, which overlooks the National Highway connecting Srinagar and Leh. Asa prelude to the Indo – Pak War 1965, Pakistan increased the ceasefire violations in the Kargil sector, and captured Point 13620 as soon as the War broke out. Its occupation by Pakistan facilitated effective domination of Srinagar-Leh Highway and also on the Advance Landing Ground (ALG).
It is also a dominating feature overlooking the Kargil town. In May 1965, the Indian Army planned the capture of the feature on the night of 16/17 May 1965. The team leader, Major BS Randhawa of 4 Rajput launched a massive attack against the enemy at the night and successfully captured Pt 13620. Due to his valiant deed he was posthumously awarded the Maha Vir Chakra.
Post 1965 War, an agreement was reached on 29 June 1965 under the UNO, whereby Pt 13620 was handed back to Pakistan. UN observers were located at Skardu and Kargil to monitor the sanctity of Cease Fire Line. By the first week of August 1965, Pakistan once again resorted to mass infiltration into the state under code name ‘Operation Gibraltar’. The early detection, called for an immediate sealing of ingress and exit routes. Apropos, recapture of Point 13620 became essential. Maj Balwant Singh of 17 Punjab was tasked to capture Point13620 during the night of 14/15 August 1965. It was a silent attack and the feature was reoccupied at 0530h on 15 August 1965. However, after the cease fire and Tashkent agreement in 1966, Point 13620 was once again handed over to Pakistan.
Subsequently, the Indo-Pak relations deteriorated due to heavy influx of refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan during 1971. On 03 December 1971, the War broke out between India & Pakistan commonly referred to as Operation Cactus Lily. Apropos, Indian Army planned an offensive to recapture Point13620 alongwith other important features dominating the area in the Kargil region in order to deny observation and effective domination by the enemy on the Srinagar – Leh highway.
The enemy was holding Point13620 with hundred plus troops and heavy weapons. Capt Pathania of 2/11 Gorkha Rifles launched a fiece attack to destroy the enemy and the feature was recaptured by 1300h on 09 December 1971. Since that day Point 13620 has been under the domination of Indian Army even during the Kargil War 1999.