“Soldiers, this is our last chance to recapture Aksai Chin. We have 7 days and must recapture it at any cost”, said Antony as he presented the new strategy to his soldiers. Maj. Varma was still melancholic about his martyred brother, Menon.
Maj. Gen. Antony’s contingent had formed a new strategy to defeat the Chinese. “We must avenge our fallen brothers. Now is our chance.”, Antony said firmly. “We won’t be attacking the forward posts from the front but from the backside of this cliff. Also, since Menon is not with us anymore, Maj. Saurabh Rehmani will be taking over his responsibility.”
Maj. Deepa was feeling uneasy about the current situation. The Chinese were still attacking the Indian borders and causing great destruction. She reminded herself that half the battle had been won already, half of Aksai Chin had been recaptured by the Indian Army. She let out a shaky breath.
Varma that evening along with Maj. Deepa and Maj. Ahluwalia had gone to the North Depsang Plains to check on the refugees. Varma observed the dreary refugees as he walked past, handing the medical supplies to the commander, and leaving for the base. The Indian Air Force base, albeit repaired, was still in a not-so-good condition. However, Grp. Capt. Sharma decided not to stay back and instead provide cover to the army soldiers.
That night Yadav, Anotony, Sharma and Nayar met at the army bunker. The four then formed a strategy to defeat the Chinese. “It is necessary to destroy the DBO airfield of China and their neighboring airfields to prevent any incursion on your troops by their aircraft,” said Grp. Capt. Sharma.
“On the other hand, the Chinese must think we will only attack from the front and not from either of the sides. Nayar, Yadav, since most of our soldiers lost were from my unit, let the remaining ones attack the enemy forward posts from both sides of these cliffs. The two of you can use all the artillery and troops you have to attack the Chinese from the front side of this cliff. This way we can trick them and catch them off guard.” Antony added.
The soldiers were anxious about the final mission given the major time constraint to accomplish it.
Maj. Varma and Maj. Rehmani had been butting heads since their academy days. Their professional relationship was strained by constant disagreement and difference of opinion.
Meanwhile, Capt. Banerjee was patrolling the border. “Rakesh, we must head back and inform the CO about the Chinese’s movements,” he said to Capt. Rakesh. Upon hearing this information, Antony replied, “We cannot make any instant suppositions. However, I think our plan has not been discovered.” Antony had a hunch about the Chinese that they were going to conduct another mass attack on the Indians. Just then R&AW Chief Anil Chaudhary entered the room. “Our trusted sources in Beijing have confirmed that the Chinese are planning to attack us in seven days,” he said.
“Alright, we shall plan our mission accordingly. Jai Hind!” replied Antony.
“Jai Hind!”
“Soldiers! This is our final opportunity to recapture Aksai Chin. My brave lions, together we will recapture Aksai Chin after 57 years. Jai Hind!” said Antony as he rallied his contingent.
On 19th May 2019 at 0300 hours, Antony’s contingent took off in helicopters towards the Laktsang.
Maj. Saurabh, Maj. Damle, Maj. Varma and Maj. Ahluwalia addressed their respective troops.
At 0320 hours, the four groups containing 25 commandos each dropped down at the Laktsang range and advanced toward the top of the mountains. At the same time, Indian Air Force Armed Helicopters arrived at the mountains. They started attacking the Chinese mountain posts.
Maj. Varma, hungry for revenge, climbed up the top of the cliff with all his might. Once at the top, he opened fire on the enemy without dithering. He jostled the enemy soldiers and shot each soldier one by one. Maj. Ahluwalia, also brimming with rage, stabbed the soldiers and pummeled them to the ground. Varma grabbed his machine gun and barraged the incoming enemy soldiers.
He then jumped into the bunker and planted a bomb near it. Within a few minutes, the bunker was detonated. He advanced with his team toward the artillery equipment shed. They shot 6 soldiers at the entrance of the shed.
Just then the telephone in the shed rang. Varma picked it up, bursting with adrenaline.
“What do you want?” he demanded.
“Who is this?” the enemy soldier on the other end replied.
“The rightful owners of this land. My brothers have sacrificed their lives fighting. We won’t leave you this time! Jai Hind!” yelled Varma and smashed the telephone into smithereens.
Varma spun to flee, but found himself cornered by Chinese soldiers, their rifles aimed at his head. Just as their fingers tightened on the triggers, shots rang out. The enemy troops fell, revealing Maj. Ahluwalia and Capt. Jaisingh charging in, their machine guns blazing.
Suddenly, Capt. Jaisingh collapsed. Behind him stood Maj. Saurabh, gun raised.
"Traitor!" Maj. Deepa snarled, "The Chinese aren't our only enemies today.”
He shot her in the leg. Deepa grimaced.
"I always knew you killed my brother, Saurabh. Today, you'll pay."
"You're no match for me, Varma," Saurabh sneered. "Your tri-colour won't fly here.”
Capt. Banerjee, stunned, rushed forward but was quickly subdued by Chinese soldiers. As they began torturing him, Varma and Saurabh engaged in a brutal fistfight. After a grueling struggle, Varma plunged his knife into Saurabh's neck.
Standing over the traitor's body, Varma vowed, "Kashmir stays ours. The mission continues." He then helped Deepa and Banerjee to safety, leaving Maj. Damle and two soldiers to guard them before pressing on.
Within half an hour, the Indian forces overwhelmed the enemy. Yadav's and Nayar's units cleared the remaining Chinese from the disputed territory. 1200 hours, Varma and Capt. Banerjee proudly hoisted the Indian flag atop the cliff, their comrades cheering in triumphant joy.
Antony watched, awestruck. After fifty-seven years, Aksai Chin was reclaimed.
"They've done it!" he shouted, overcome with emotion.
“Jai Hind!”
Back home, a hero's welcome awaited the returning soldiers. Maj. Ahluwalia, Maj. Varma, and Maj. Damle received the Param Vir Chakra for their valor. The late Maj. Menon was posthumously honored with both the Ashoka Chakra and Kirti Chakra, a testament to his extraordinary courage.
Ten days after their return, Varma, Ahluwalia, and Maj. Deepa stood solemnly at Menon's grave. They draped fresh garlands over the stone marker.
Varma's voice was low but steady. "You were a hell of a warrior and leader, Menon. The nation owes you a debt we can never repay."
The three officers snapped to attention, crisp salutes honoring their fallen comrade. With a final glance at the grave, they turned and walked away, leaving only the whisper of wind through the cemetery trees.
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