By M S Nazki
“Pyaar Manga Hai Tumhi Se Na Inkaar Karo……………….! Where do they refuse in any case! They are there wherever You want them to be!”
Civilians enjoy their time because soldiers sacrifice their time.
In Life, You have to fight and fight to win, There is no room for the loser Now.
He placed a cardboard placard above the entrance of his bunker with five words, scrawled with a red marker, that appeared to answer his CO's question: I RUST WHEN I REST!......
Uri is a crucial border town in Jammu and Kashmir due to its strategic military location, significant hydropower generation, and historical role as a gateway to the Kashmir Valley.
Strategic and Military Importance
Proximity to the Border: Located in the Baramulla district, Uri sits just 10 kilometers east of the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan.
Defense Hub: The region has historically been treated by the Indian government as a vital point for the defense of the Kashmir Valley.
Energy and Hydropower Infrastructure
Power Generation: Uri is a key pillar for Jammu and Kashmir’s energy security through major hydroelectric installations like the Uri power projects.
Reducing Power Deficits: Ongoing expansions, such as the Uri-I Stage-II hydroelectric project, help the Union Territory combat severe winter electricity shortages and reduce its heavy reliance on power imports from other states.
Historical and Economic Gateway
Historical Route: Known historically as the “window of Kashmir,” Uri sat on the traditional Jhelum Valley Road, connecting Srinagar to Rawalpindi and serving as a vital transit route for traders, Sufi saints, and travelers.
Border Tourism and Development: The government is currently pushing multi-crore infrastructure and cultural restoration projects in Uri to transform the picturesque frontier town into a major border tourism destination.
But there are other aspects too.
A dilapidated home in Uri is now a safe start for six orphaned children, thanks to Human Aid Society and the Indian Army standing with them. Civic action like this, homes, schools, medical camps, skills, turns hardship into hope and knits communities closer.
A related June 2026 programme in Uri’s Baghroto and Busgran villages had Brigadier K.M. Nithin Kuttappa of the 12 Infantry Brigade as chief guest for a house handover and women’s poultry livelihood units.
Indian Army civic work in the same sector includes medical camps for border villages, a gym for Uri youth, school upgrades, and other Operation Sadbhavana projects that fund education, health, and community facilities.
These efforts give children stable housing and schooling, restore livelihoods after shelling damage, and build everyday trust between the Army and local families in a LoC belt that still carries conflict scars. That’s nation-building beyond the border!
We all have an encyclopaedia of anecdotes here is one amongst many!
The willow trees along the Jhelum River hung heavy with gray dust the summer the waters rose. In the heart of a quiet village near Srinagar, the ancestral home of the Mir family stood as a silent witness to the fury of nature.
Built by Ghulam Mir’s grandfather, the two-story house featured traditional Kashmiri brickwork, intricate wooden pinjra-kari latticework windows, and a tin roof that had sung with the rhythm of a hundred monsoons.
When the cloudburst hit the mountains, the valley transformed into a swirling inland sea. The family fled to higher ground with nothing but the clothes on their backs, watching from a distant ridge as the brown floodwaters swallowed their village.
For days, the house remained submerged. When the water finally receded, it left behind a landscape of heartbreak.
Ghulam returned to find the foundations weakened, the courtyard buried under three feet of thick, suffocating silt, and the beautiful wooden balconies fractured. The roof had partially collapsed under the weight of debris carried by the torrent.
To Ghulam, a retired schoolteacher, the house was not just brick and mortar; it was the repository of his family’s history. Seeing it ruined, he felt a profound sense of despair. The task of rebuilding was monumental, expensive, and far beyond the strength of an old man and his grieving family.
A week later, the distinct rumble of heavy engines broke the village silence. A convoy of the Indian Army’s engineering regiment arrived, tasked with clearing the debris and restoring basic infrastructure in the flood-ravaged sector.
The unit commander, Major Raghav, noticed Ghulam sitting on a stone outside the hollow shell of his home, staring blankly at the mud-soaked walls. The Major walked over, surveyed the structural damage, and placed a hand on the old man's shoulder. “We will help you bring it back,” the Major promised.
The next morning, the courtyard transformed into a hive of disciplined activity. A squad of young soldiers, working alongside a few local youth who volunteered, began the gruelling process of salvaging the structure. They didn't just bulldoze the ruin; they treated the heritage home with care.
First came the stabilization. The army engineers used heavy jacks and steel struts to prop up the sagging beams, preventing a total collapse of the second floor.
Next, they tackled the silt. Shovel by shovel, soldiers and locals cleared the thick mud from the ground floor, washing away the grime to reveal the sturdy, traditional stone flooring underneath.
Major Raghav managed to procure timber and corrugated sheets through army logistics. A soldier named Naik Singh, a skilled carpenter from Punjab, took a special interest in the house.
Working closely with a local Kashmiri carpenter named Tariq, the two men painstakingly repaired the damaged pinjra-kari window frames, salvaging the original wood wherever possible and seamlessly fitting new pieces where the old had rotted.
For three weeks, the village echoed with the sounds of hammers, saws, and shared language. The soldiers shared their rations and hot tea with the family, and in return, Ghulam’s wife prepared traditional noon chai, salted pink tea, over a makeshift outdoor hearth for the men. The shared sweat and mud blurred the lines between the uniform and the civilian, weaving a bond born of resilience.
By the end of the month, the transformation was complete. The foundation was reinforced with concrete plinths, a bright new tin roof gleamed under the Kashmiri sun, and the walls were cleared of the watermark of disaster. While it bore the scars of the flood, the house stood firm, its unique heritage preserved.
On the day the unit was scheduled to move to the next village, Ghulam stood in the restored courtyard. He handed Major Raghav a small wicker basket filled with fresh walnuts from the surviving tree in the garden.
“You didn't just save the walls,” Ghulam said, his voice thick with emotion. “You saved our memories.”
Major Raghav smiled, accepting the walnuts, and saluted the old man. As the trucks rolled out of the village, Ghulam looked up at the repaired balcony. The house was no longer a monument to devastation; it was a testament to survival, standing proud against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayas.
Small stories become big.
Indian Army rescues unconscious teenage girl from Mendhar Nala
Indian Army personnel rescued a teenage girl who was being swept away in the Mendhar Nala towards the Pakistan side in Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir. The incident occurred at approximately 1:30 PM on September 4.
Sentries stationed at forward posts observed an unconscious girl, estimated to be between 14 and 16 years old, floating along the Mendhar Nala. In a prompt rescue operation, a soldier from the Balnoi battalion jumped into the river and pulled the girl from the water.
The rescued individual was identified as Uzma Kausar, daughter of Gulsaid and a resident of Balnoi. Following the rescue, the Army personnel immediately transferred her to the Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Mankote. Local police, medical officials, and the Sarpanch were informed beforehand to provide prompt medical care.
Officials reported that Uzma Kausar is currently in stable condition and that her family members have been notified. Further information is awaited.
The Indian Army and Uri
The Indian Army assists residents in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, through medical healthcare outreach programs, welfare initiatives, and community development support.
Healthcare and Medical Support
Medical Camps: The Army regularly organizes free medical camps in border villages like Nambla, Hathlanga, and Silikot to help residents affected by ceasefire violations or those lacking direct hospital access.
Specialized Care: Medical teams often include general physicians, lady medical officers, and psychologists to provide consultations, basic treatments, and mental health support.
Emergency Assistance: Dedicated medical centers and 24-hour ambulance or helpline services have been established to aid villagers during medical emergencies.
Welfare and Community Development
Rehabilitation and Aid: The Army partners with local organizations like the Human Aid Society to support vulnerable groups, including rebuilding dilapidated homes and assisting orphaned children.
Skill Development: Initiatives like the joint skill development center with IHCL and REACHA offer local youth training courses in fields like bakery and fashion designing to foster entrepreneurship and employment.
Humanitarian Gestures: Troops facilitate civic aid, distribute essential relief items during harsh weather or displacement, and coordinate peaceful community engagements along the border.
The 12th Infantry Brigade
The 12th Infantry Brigade of the Indian Army is an operational tactical formation headquartered in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, functioning under the 12th Infantry Division (India) or higher field corps command along the Line of Control (LoC).
Key Details
Location: Headquartered in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir.
Operational Role: Manages defense, counter-infiltration, and border security along a critical sector of the Line of Control (LoC).
History: The brigade headquarters is an iconic formation that has served prominently in the Jammu and Kashmir sector, including operational deployment during historical border security challenges and localized militant attacks, such as the 2016 Uri incident.
Note: Distinct historical formations like the World War II-era 12th Indian Infantry Brigade served in the Malayan Campaign, which is separate from the modern contemporary brigade stationed in Uri.
The 12th Indian Infantry Brigade was an infantry brigade at the outbreak of the Indian Army during World War II. It was sent to Singapore in August 1939 and took part in the Malayan Campaign before going into captivity with the Fall of Singapore in February 1942.
History
The 12th Indian Infantry Brigade was one of the regular units based in Malaya before the Japanese invasion in December 1941. During the Battle of Malaya which ended with the surrender of a British Army at Singapore in February 1942, the 12th Brigade performed better than most units. One of its units, 2nd Bn, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was considered to be the best jungle fighters at the time and the Argylls' commander, Lt.Col. Ian Stewart, one of the better leaders during the campaign. The brigade were among the first troops to face the Japanese when they landed on 7 December 1941.
While the rest of the British and Indian forces were thrown in disarray by the rapid encircling and flanking attacks of the Japanese, the 12th Brigade under Brigadier Archie Paris, was able to inflict casualties and slow down the Japanese forces during the fighting in Northern Malaya.
Remember the names
Sepoy Gangadhar Dalui
Sepoy Gangadhar Dalui hailed from Jamuna Balia village in West Bengal’s Howrah district. Son of Shri Onkarnath Dalui and Smt Shikha Dalui, Sep Gangadhar was born on 10 Dec 1994. He came from a humble family and worked hard to support his family even while growing up. He was a keen sportsman too and excelled in various games, winning laurels for his school during his student days. Though he was a person of modest means, he offered his help to others whenever he could.
After completing his school, he joined the Army in 2014 at the age of 19 years. He was recruited into 6 Bihar battalion of the Bihar Regiment, an infantry Regiment well known for its fearless soldiers and various battle honours. After completing his initial training, he served in Bangalore and Siliguri before moving to the trouble-torn J&K area in 2016.
Uri Attack: 18 Sep 2016
During Sep 2016, Sep Gangadhar’s unit was deployed in Baramulla district of J&K for counter-insurgency operations. The unit was functioning under the operational control of 12 Infantry Brigade, which had its headquarters at Uri.
The 12th Infantry Brigade headquarters in Uri was a virtual oasis, protected naturally by the high ranges of the Pir Panjal and the Jhelum river that flowed by.
On 18 September, four terrorists infiltrated 6 km into the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) and struck at a carefully selected objective, the headquarters of one of the Indian Army’s iconic formations, the 12th Infantry Brigade.
The attack commenced at around 0530 hrs and the terrorists lobbed 17 grenades in three minutes followed by indiscriminate firing by automatic weapons. As a rear administrative base camp, the HQs had a fuel storage facility, which caught fire along with tents with soldiers sleeping in them.
The attack was executed at a strategically significant time as there was a movement of troops in the region at that time. 10 Dogra battalion had completed its two-year tenure and was moving out, while another battalion, 6 Bihar, was coming into the new location. The 'handing-taking over' process was on and therefore the soldiers of 6 Bihar had to sleep in canvas tents near the fuel storage facility.
The terrorists fired incendiary ammunition along with an automatic fire of small arms that led to army tents / temporary shelters catching fire. As a result of this dastardly attack, 17 army personnel were martyred. The firefight between the terrorists and Army Personnel continued till approximately 0830 hours, during which four terrorists were killed. All four killed were Foreign Terrorists and had some items with them which had Pakistani markings.
An additional 19-30 soldiers were also injured in the attack. Most of the soldiers martyred were from the 10 Dogra and 6 Bihar battalions. One of the injured soldiers succumbed to his injuries on 19 September at R&R Hospital in New Delhi, followed by another soldier on 30 September, bringing the death toll to 19.
Besides Sep Gangadhar Dalui, the other martyred brave hearts included Subedar Karnail Singh, Havildar Ravi Paul, Havildar Ashok Kumar Singh, Havildar Nimb Singh Rawat, Naik Raj Kishor Singh, Naik SK Vidyarthi, Lance Naik Ramesh Kumar Yadav, Lance Naik Galande CS, Sepoy Rakesh Singh, Sepoy Jawra Munda, Sepoy Naiman Kujur, Sepoy Uike Panjab Janrao, Sep Ganesh Shankar, Sepoy Biswajit Ghorai, Sepoy Harendra Yadav, Sepoy Thok SS, Sepoy Rajesh Kumar Singh and Sepoy Kulmathe VJ.
The nation will remain grateful to these brave soldiers for their courage and supreme sacrifice.
Sep Gangadhar Dalui was a gallant and committed soldier who laid down his life at the age of 21 years in the line of his duty. Sep Gangadhar Dalui is survived by his father Shri Onkarnath Dalui, mother Smt Shikha Dalui and brother Shri Barun Dalui.
Sep Harendra Yadav
Sepoy Harendra Yadav hailed from Mardah village of Ghazipur district in Uttar Pradesh. Sepoy Harendra Yadav joined the army after completing his school and was recruited into 6 Bihar battalion of the Bihar Regiment, an infantry Regiment well known for its fearless soldiers and various battle honours. After completing his initial training, he served in Bangalore and Siliguri before moving to the trouble-torn J&K area in 2016.
Uri Attack: 18 Sep 2016
During Sep 2016, Sep Harendra Yadav’s unit was deployed in the Baramulla district of J&K for counter-insurgency operations. The unit was functioning under the operational control of the 12 Infantry Brigade, which had its headquarters at Uri.
The 12th Infantry Brigade headquarters in Uri was a virtual oasis, protected naturally by the high ranges of the Pir Panjal and the Jhelum River that flowed by.
On 18 September, four terrorists infiltrated 6 km into the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC) and struck at a carefully selected objective, the headquarters of one of the Indian Army’s iconic formations, the 12th Infantry Brigade.
The attack commenced at around 0530 hrs and the terrorists lobbed 17 grenades in three minutes followed by indiscriminate firing by automatic weapons. As a rear administrative base camp, the HQs had a fuel storage facility, which caught fire along with tents with soldiers sleeping in them.
The attack was executed at a strategically significant time as there was a movement of troops in the region at that time. 10 Dogra battalion had completed its two-year tenure and was moving out, while another battalion (6 Bihar) was coming into the new location. The 'handing-taking over' process was on and therefore the soldiers of 6 Bihar had to sleep in canvas tents near the fuel storage facility.
The terrorists fired incendiary ammunition along with an automatic fire of small arms that led to army tents / temporary shelters catching fire. As a result of this dastardly attack, 17 army personnel were martyred. The firefight between the terrorists and Army Personnel continued till approximately 0830 hours, during which four terrorists were killed. All four killed were Foreign Terrorists and had some items with them which had Pakistani markings.
An additional 19-30 soldiers were also injured in the attack. Most of the soldiers martyred were from the 10 Dogra and 6 Bihar battalions. One of the injured soldiers succumbed to his injuries on 19 September at R&R Hospital in New Delhi, followed by another soldier on 30 September, bringing the death toll to 19.
Besides Sep Harendra Yadav, the other martyred brave hearts included Subedar Karnail Singh, Havildar Ravi Paul, Havildar Ashok Kumar Singh, Havildar Nimb Singh Rawat, Naik Raj Kishor Singh, Naik SK Vidyarthi, Lance Naik Ramesh Kumar Yadav, Lance Naik Galande CS, Sepoy Rakesh Singh, Sepoy Jawra Munda, Sepoy Naiman Kujur, Sepoy Uike Panjab Janrao, Sep Ganesh Shankar, Sepoy Biswajit Ghorai, Sep Gangadhar Dalui, Sepoy Thok SS, Sepoy Rajesh Kumar Singh and Sepoy Kulmathe VJ.
The nation will remain grateful to these brave soldiers for their courage and supreme sacrifice.
Sep Harendra Yadav was a gallant and committed soldier who laid down his life at the age of 28 years in the line of his duty.
The last lines
The Indian Army, Indian Air Force, and local frontline volunteers were the primary heroes of the rescue and relief operations following the devastating October 8, 2005, earthquake in Uri and surrounding J&K regions.
The Armed Forces (Army and Air Force)
Troop Deployment: The Ministry of Defence deployed around 2,500 troops, 50 army columns and engineer teams right after the 7.6-magnitude quake flattened nearly 80% of Uri.
Airlifts and Sorties: The Indian Air Force flew hundreds of sorties using Mi-17 and Chetak helicopters, alongside AN-32 and IL-76 aircraft, to airlift the injured and drop tons of essential relief materials into cut-off areas like Uri and Tangdhar.
Rebuilding Infrastructure: Engineering wings worked relentlessly to clear debris, restore damaged mountain roads, and set up medical camps and temporary tents.
Led by Sant Baba Iqbal Singh Ji, volunteers moved immediately to provide food, shelter, and medical relief to survivors.
NGOs and Medical Relief
Organizations like HelpAge India deployed mobile medical units to remote, foot-accessible hamlets around Uri, such as Kamalkot and Salamabad, treating hundreds in the freezing aftermath.
Local Rescuers and Drivers
Unsung local civilian volunteers, ambulance drivers, and local health workers worked around the clock in harrowing conditions to ferry the injured to safety.
“Pyaar Maanga hai tuhi se na inkaar karo!”
