1971 battleground now venue for cricket league

Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, July 19

The Army has chosen a unique location to organise the first-ever Siachen Cricket League to mark the 50 years of victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war. The tournament will be held at Nubra Valley, the base of Siachen glacier along the Line of Control (LoC).

50 years of war

• To mark 50 years of victory over Pakistan, the Army is organising Siachen Cricket League
• It will be played between 8 teams of local youth at Nubra Valley at the base of Siachen glacier
• The Battle of Turtuk was fought here in 1971 when the Army captured 800 sq km area from Pakistan
• The Northern Command is also commemorating 22 years of the Kargil conflict

The Battle of Turtuk was fought at this valley in 1971 when the Indian Army captured 800 sq km of Pakistan-occupied area in Gilgit-Baltistan and Turtuk, Dhothang, Tyakshi and Chalunkha villages, which is now part of India. The tournament is being organised by the Leh-based 14 Corps. Eight teams comprising youth from Nubra Valley are participating, said Col Emron Musavi, spokesperson, Ministry of Defence.

Major Chewang Rinchen of the Ladakh Scouts had captured the territory without any artillery support and in below-freezing temperatures in December. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. Major Rinchen and his troops had captured this vital territory as the Shyok river enters Gilgit-Baltistan from this valley.

The Northern Command is also commemorating 22 years of the Kargil conflict. A motorcycle expedition comprising 15 riders was flagged off by Lieutenant General PGK Menon, General Officer Commanding of the 14 Corps, from Leh on Monday. The expedition will be crossing the formidable Chang La and Khardung La passes at altitude of over 18,000 ft covering a total distance of 1,000 km from Leh to Daulat Beg Oldie (along the LAC with China) before culminating at Drass. The expedition will go past the Galwan flashpoint.