The two regiments were exemplary in their formation. There was always a sense of competition, trying to be one up. After all each wanted to win the Best Regiment Trophy for that year.
The two Commanding Officers, Colonel Yash Soni and Colonel Bikram Guha were highly accomplished and respected. Each commanded the utmost respect.
The last event coming up was the Basketball championship. From the Brigade level to the Divisional level, the two regiments had beaten every opponent and reached the Finals. It was not easy, as every regiment wished to win at least the last event.
Colonel Bikram Guha called his team just a week prior to the event, when the practice sessions were going on, on a war footing. “I want you to win this trophy at all costs. You know our regiment has done brilliantly in all aspects of training. We have only our friends from the other regiment, neck to neck with us. This match is what is going to make all the difference. But remember this is not war. You have to win on the basis of playing expertly, with great skill, better strategy and every man giving his 200%. Am I clear?”
“Yes Sir!” thundered the team.
“Good! May you win!”
The next day, the cantonment was in a flurry of activity. Soldiers in battle fatigues were boarding their Three Tonners, Shaktimans and jeeps. The long convoy of vehicles was moving in a hurry, never seen before.
“What’s going on?” asked a passerby.
“Did you not watch the news? The soldiers from our neighbouring country have crossed over the border in Ladakh!”
“Oh no!” whispered he in despair, “Not again!”
A mantle of war had spread quickly across the length and breadth of the country. Cantonments wore a quiet and sombre look as did the markets in town. Youngsters did not zoom around in expensive cars and bikes aimlessly. Everyone seemed to have an accelerator on their feet, to make them move briskly. Even the cows did not sit down idly on the roads, but moved with purpose, across the road.
The Postal services had a big burden to deliver letters by the hundreds, along with sweets, rakhis, gifts, and what not.
On a remote mountain on the Line of Control, the two regiments were flung into war together. The General Officer Commanding outlined the plan of action to all the COs.
On the allocated D Day and the given time, amidst loud battle cries of “Jai Mata Rani!” “Jai Ma Kali!” “Jai Bhavani!” and many more, the officers and jawans went forth. They had been assigned the gargantuan task to capture the peak and stay put.
In the pitch black darkness of the Amavasya sky, when one could barely see what lay beyond one’s nose, the soldiers did their best to inch forward. The brilliantly blinking stars encouraged them to step higher and higher.
After a few hours of their determined effort, they reached their destination. The sky was turning a light pink, in the east, like the blush of a bride. The enemy had a comfortable nest of snipers and machine guns trained on them. How did they know?
“Fire!” shouted a young voice filled with passion and conviction.
Fierce battle broke out.
The loud chatter of a machine gun, amidst the sharp decibels of AK 57s, and shouts of pain- as mere mortals were wounded erupted in that silent sky. The stomping of heavy shoes, the scattering of small rocks and stones, the heavy breathing of men locked in mortal combat, ruthlessly shook everyone, forcing alertness in every being.
Colonel Bikram Guha suddenly found himself surrounded by four men in the opponent’s uniform. He pulled out his pistol, pointing it straight ahead and squeezed the trigger, just as an arm around his waist, pushed him to the ground, while a strong kick landed on the hand of another, kicking his weapon away. In no time the enemies were lying in a heap, unable to harm even an ant.
Guha turned to thank his comrade, and smiled to see it was none other than Colonel Yash Soni. They hugged each other before they went to join the fracas.
The battle drew to an end after a long time with the Indian flag flying high atop the mountain. The men of the two regiments moved in unison to protect every inch of their Motherland. Their camaraderie would fool anyone to believe it was not two, but one regiment, of the Indian army.
And they were the best, no doubt!
