Indian Army to Commemorate Capture of Sherqui La on December 15, Marking 1971 India-Pak War Victory

The Indian Army is set to honor the significant military achievement of capturing Sherqui La, a strategic mountain pass, during the India-Pak War of 1971. This event, which marks a pivotal moment in the conflict, occurred along the Line of Control (LoC) adjacent to the Indus River in the Ladakh region. The assault on Sherqui La followed the successful seizure of Point 13,620, a critical feature in the area.

The military operation began on December 9, 1971, with troops focusing on Point 13,620, and culminated in the early hours of December 15 when Sherqui La was ultimately seized. The Leh-based 14 Corps of the Indian Army announced the upcoming commemoration via X, stating that “The 9th battalion of J&K Militia of the Indian Army captured one of the most important enemy posts opposite Indus Sherqui La.”

A special event is scheduled for December 15 this year, where the victory will be celebrated in Silmo village, located in the Batalik region of Ladakh. The 9th J&K Militia played a critical role in these operations, which later saw the unit rebranded as J&K Rifles in 1972.

Point 13,620, noted for its commanding position in the Kargil sector, overlooks vital routes, including the Srinagar-Leh axis and parts of the Kargil-Batalik road. The significance of this strategic point was underscored in a book titled Defence of the East lies in the West: Pakistan’s Miscalculations, published by the think tank Centre for Land Warfare Studies. The volume makes mention of Major General SP Malhotra, the General Officer Commanding of the 3 Infantry Division, who made the strategic decision to accelerate the timeline for the capture of Point 13,620 by two days.

Following the successful capture of Point 13,620, the 9 J&K Militia was given the important task of taking Sherqui La, a pass situated at an elevation of 14,900 feet, which consisted of six enemy-held posts. This commemoration serves not only as a reminder of the tactical ingenuity and bravery displayed during the conflict but also as a tribute to the enduring legacy of the soldiers who fought valiantly in that challenging terrain.