New Delhi, 22 December (HS): Shepherd Tashi Namgyal, who first informed about Pakistani army infiltration in Kargil, passed away on Sunday in Leh.

His last rites were performed with full honours in presence of army in Ladakh on Sunday. Immediate assistance was provided to his family and further assistance has been assured. The army said that Namgyal's selfless sacrifice will always be remembered.

The Kargil war between India and Pakistan between May and July, 1999 is also known as 'Operation Vijay'. Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri militants had infiltrated and occupied the high hills of Kargil across the Line of Control between India and Pakistan with 5,000 soldiers. While searching for his missing yak in early May 1999, Tashi Namgyal saw Pakistani soldiers in Pathani attire digging bunkers on top of the Batalik mountain range. He gave the first information about the infiltration and occupation of Kargil by the Pakistani army to the Indian Army on May 3, 1999.

After this, the army launched 'Operation Vijay' to drive out the Pakistani soldiers. Indian soldiers mobilized rapidly in the Kargil war that took place between May 3 and July 26, 1999. When the Indian Army's patrolling team reached Kargil on May 5 to gather information, the Pakistani army captured them and killed five of them. After this, on May 9, the Indian Army's ammunition store in Kargil was destroyed by Pakistani shelling. For the first time, Pakistani intruders were seen on 10 May in Drass, Kaksar and Mushkoh sectors, the entry point of Ladakh.

After this, on 26 May, the Indian Air Force was ordered to take action. On 27 May, the Air Force used MiG-27 and MiG-29 against Pakistan. About 2.5 lakh shells were fired in the two-month war. Finally, on 26 July, the Kargil war officially ended and the Indian Army foiled the mission of Pakistani intruders. Namgyal's vigilance proved helpful in India's victory and he was recognized as a brave shepherd.

The army said in a statement that Ladakh shepherd Tashi Namgyal died in Garkhon located in Aryan Valley of Ladakh. He was 58 years old. Namgyal had attended the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas in Drass along with his daughter and teacher, Tsering Dolkar. The Leh-based 'Fire and Fury Corps' said that the Fire and Fury Corps pays tribute to Tashi Namgyal on his sudden demise. The Army wrote that a patriot has passed away. Brave of Ladakh, may your soul rest in peace. The tribute message highlighted his invaluable contribution to the nation during 'Operation Vijay' in 1999 and said that it will be 'inscribed in golden letters'. After this, army officials reached his village and performed the last rites with full respect. The Army's Fire and Fury Corps expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of Tashi Namgyal and said that immediate assistance has been provided to the family of Namgyal, who first informed about the infiltration in Kargil, and further assistance has been assured. Tashi Namgyal is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter. The Army will remain indebted to him for his contribution to the nation and his selfless sacrifice will always be remembered.----------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar