AN INDIAN SAINT ON THE HIMALAYAN HEIGHTS

An angel who guards soldiers at Siachen
Pradeep Thakur
[ 13 Nov, 2006 2348hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

BASE CAMP, SIACHEN GLACIER: In the inhospitable, freezing heights of the world's highest battlefield, Indian soldiers have a guardian angel while braving the elements and thwarting enemy designs in "O P Baba", who is believed to occupy a shrine near river Nubra.

Baba's shrine is located at the Siachen Battle School, the world's highest elevation military training academy at the snout of river Nubra, the lifeline of Pakistan. The battle school trains around 500-600 soldiers every day in ice-craft and survival techniques in the earth's biggest glacier outside Antarctica.

Baba is deeply revered by troops posted in these glacial heights. Legend has it that Baba was an army soldier who fought valiantly to preserve Indian frontiers from Pakistani intruders in the most adverse situations.

He was a strict disciplinarian and expects the same from fellow soldiers who come here to guard the frontier. Every battalion or company that undergoes acclimatisation and training at this battle school before taking position begins with a prayer at Baba's shrine.



The company head gives a detailed briefing to Baba before tying a brass bell in the complex, taking a vow to keep away from cigarettes and intoxicants and fight the enemy till the last breath.

The personnel keep the promise till the last day of their tenure in Siachen Glacier-Saltoro Ridge as any deviation is met with instant punishment from the legend himself.

The Baba has always been with the troops and protects every soldier and warns them of any impending danger, says Captain Baljit Singh, currently posted at the battle school.

It is believed that a night before any imminent danger, the Baba comes in the dreams of soldiers and warns them of such eventuality. However, with a note of pragmatism, Singh says soldiers are encouraged to be mindful of ground realities.