22 years of Kargil Vijay: Threat of avalanche, temperature up to minus 30 ° C, no mobile connectivity… Jawans protecting the country in such situation at LoC

From Gurez in Kashmir to Kargil in Ladakh, the Indian Army is guarding the LoC round the clock in difficult conditions. The army is ready to respond to any action here. These soldiers do not leave these posts even in bad weather so that war like Kargil does not happen again. Kargil Vijay completes 22 years today. On this occasion, today we are putting the story of Gurez in front of you. We will keep similar stories related to the bravery of the army in front of you on 27th, 28th and 29th. But let’s go today.

The Rajput regiment is deployed to prevent infiltration in north Kashmir’s Gurez, about 135 km from Srinagar. Like Kargil, Gurez is prone to avalanches, which happen every year. On the other side of this area, the Pakistani army is stationed on the mountains. In 2017, 15 soldiers were martyred in Gurez when an army post was hit by an avalanche. Despite these threats, the soldiers are stationed there in harsh weather.

Gurez receives about 12 feet of snowfall. The temperature here ranges from minus to minus 30 degree Celsius during winters.

Gurez does not have mobile connectivity
A soldier posted in Gurez said, “It gets about 12 feet of snowfall here. We still have to stay here to protect our country, because there is a fear that Pakistani army may do the same mischief which it did in Kargil. There is no mobile connectivity here. We sometimes talk to our family members after weeks. We have to face temperatures of less than minus 30 degree Celsius during winters. In Gurez also soldiers celebrate Kargil Vijay Diwas. Kargil is about 250 kms from Gurez and the border along the LoC is surrounded by mountains from 10 thousand to 16 thousand feet above sea level.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on 26th July.
Kargil Vijay Diwas is celebrated every year on 26 July in honor of the Kargil War heroes. On this date in 1999, India took command of high posts. The war was fought for over 60 days and ended on 26 July 1999. Celebrations are also held across the country to remember the contribution of the armed forces.

Gurez still does not have regular supply of electricity. Generator electricity is available only for a few hours every day.

No regular supply of electricity in Gurez
Gurez still does not have regular supply of electricity. Generator power is available only for a few hours every day, making it difficult for the military to keep a watch. Another jawan said, ‘During posting here, the army jawan is cut off from the rest of the world for weeks. He could not even talk to his family for several days. I am proud to be posted here and serve in difficult times. However it is difficult to survive in harsh weather conditions.

Contact with the world is cut for 6-8 months
Sometimes this area is cut off from the rest of the world for 6-8 months. In such a situation, the jawans also rear cows and yaks here, from which they get milk. They store food for 6-8 months of harsh winters. Helicopter services are provided to them during any medical emergency.

The local people have to keep a stock of firewood for the winter. These people depend on the army for development, employment and food.

About 40 thousand people live in 15 villages of Gurez.
A ceasefire was declared by India and Pakistan across the LoC earlier this year. The local people heaved a sigh of relief. Local people now bring wood from the forest without any fear. Local resident Bashir Ahmed said that we are afraid of shelling. Many people have lost their lives due to shelling here in the last few years. We are relieved by the ceasefire.

The local people have to keep a stock of firewood for the winter. These people depend on the army for development, employment and food. About 40 thousand people live in 15 villages of Gurez. Most of the villagers do agriculture or are serving in the army.

Gurez was once an important stop on the Silk Road connecting Kashmir with the Xinjiang province of China.

Was once a favorite place for foreign tourists
Gurez was once an important stop on the Silk Road connecting Kashmir with the Xinjiang province of China. Before the partition of Kashmir, Gurez was a popular destination for foreign tourists. In 1925, Ted and Kermit Roosevelt, the sons of the 26th President of the United States, visited Gurez. Both the brothers set out to visit the Pamirs, Turkestan and the Tian Shan mountains.