The immortal saga of patriotism, sacrifice, & counter-terrorism struggle of the Army and the Gujjar-Bakarwal community in Kashmir
Col Dev Anand Lohamaror
Exactly 23 years ago, on the historic day of May 27, 2003, the official declaration of success was made for ‘Operation Sarp Vinash’, launched by the Army against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the Poonch-Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. This was not merely a military triumph, but a golden chapter in military history where the country’s armed forces and the bravehearts of the local Gujjar-Bakarwal community jointly eradicated terrorism from the impregnable and treacherous mountainous terrain of Hill Kaka. The cleansing of militancy from this region, often referred to as the ‘Mini Kargil,’ proved beyond doubt that when the Jawan (soldier) and the Awaam (public) stand shoulder-to-shoulder, no terrorist force in the world can challenge the sovereignty of Bharat.
Whenever the Kashmir Valley is discussed, the minds of most people instantly conjure up images of terrorism, military operations, cross-border infiltration, and political instability. For decades, this region has remained the epicenter of militancy. Yet, under the shadow of this entire narrative, lies a community that—without any major publicity, without any special government recognition, and often at the peril of their own lives—has made unprecedented contributions to defending the nation. This community is the Gujjar-Bakarwal society—a society whose story is defined not just by struggle, but by unwavering patriotism, grit, and supreme sacrifice.
Traditional Lifestyle as a Shield for National Security
The Gujjar-Bakarwal community, residing for centuries in the mountainous and inaccessible terrains of Jammu and Kashmir, is primarily a nomadic pastoralist society. Migrating seasonally across altitudes with their sheep, goats, and livestock, navigating dense forests and treacherous mountain passes, and embracing the harsh vagaries of nature as a way of life has been integral to their daily existence. This very lifestyle equips them with a profound, instinctive understanding of these remote terrains—landscapes that remain highly challenging for outsiders and often for the external security apparatus. Consequently, in terror-hit Kashmir, this community has been far more than just a social entity; it has proven to be a silent yet highly effective vanguard of national security.
Following the volatile conditions that emerged in Jammu and Kashmir post-1947, and along the established Ceasefire Line between Bharat and Pakistan, the Gujjar-Bakarwal community stood firmly with security forces at forward posts for decades, serving as porters, guides, and local assets. In an era of limited resources and daunting geography, their cooperation was invaluable to the Army. When militancy assumed an organized form in the valley and hilly terrains during the 1990s, this community directly bore the brunt of terrorist violence. Terrorists attempted to convert the forests and mountain heights into safe havens and sought local complicity. However, the Gujjar-Bakarwal society resolutely refused to capitulate before the militants.
The consequences they faced were brutal. In numerous places, their homes were torched, their livestock looted, their families threatened, and many innocent lives were lost. Despite this, the community did not bow before the terrorists. They sent a loud and clear message: their homeland would never become a sanctuary for terror.
Transitioning from Victims to Counter-Terror Comrades
It was at this juncture that the role of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community evolved from being passive victims to active stakeholders in the counter-terrorism struggle. Their traditional knowledge of mountain trails, dense jungles, natural caves, and inaccessible heights became an invaluable asset for the security forces. They provided timely, critical intelligence regarding terrorist movements, hideouts, and logistics to the security forces, laying the groundwork for numerous successful military operations and preempting several potential terror strikes.
Their cooperation with security forces extended well beyond intelligence sharing. They acted as navigators for the Army through treacherous tracks, managed food and water supplies for troops, and served as vital communication links between the Army and the local populace in regions with zero connectivity. Their role in evacuating injured soldiers to safer zones and providing humanitarian assistance during crises remains stellar. It is precisely for this reason that their contributions have been consistently acknowledged from public platforms by the Army leadership and the national high command. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also openly lauded the community’s patriotism and their seamless synergy with the Army during his public rally in Rajouri.
Hill Kaka and the Historical Gambit of 2002–03
The most historic chapter of this shared patriotism and resistance was written during Operation Sarp Vinash in 2002–03. The remote Hill Kaka region in Poonch district had morphed into a formidable fortress for foreign terrorists. The dense canopy, high altitudes, and natural cave formations sprawling across the Surankote and Rajouri-Poonch belt provided safe sanctuaries to the militants. For a prolonged period, this sector operated as the nerve center for terrorist operations, throwing a massive challenge at the security grid.
Faced with this strategic threat, the Army decided to launch a decisive strike. On April 17, 2003, Operation Sarp Vinash was unleashed. This was not a conventional military assault; it was a historic template of a joint fight by the “Jawan and Awaam.” For the first time, the local Gujjar-Bakarwal community was given direct participation in combat operations. They were provided specialized training, equipped with weapons by the Army, and afforded the opportunity to stand on the frontlines to defend their motherland.
The Gujjar-Bakarwals embraced this opportunity not merely as coordination, but as a sacred duty. They pinpointed the exact coordinates of fortified terrorist hideouts, guided the Army through untracked ridges, and in multiple instances, picked up arms without uniforms or salaries to engage in direct firefights. This unprecedented synergy between the military and local society yielded spectacular results. By the time the operation concluded on May 27, 2003, a total of 83 dreaded terrorists were neutralized, while the remnants were forced to flee back across the border into Pakistan. This resounding success paved the way for the institutionalization of Village Defence Committees (VDCs) across rural hamlets, infusing a new potent energy into local resistance.
Supreme Sacrifice versus Institutional Apathy
“What greater testament to patriotism can there be than the fact that without a uniform, without a government salary, and without any expectation of a future pension, the youth of this community put their lives on the line for the nation’s sovereignty?”
The price of this monumental success, however, was incredibly heavy. While several brave soldiers of the Army achieved martyrdom in this conflict, they were joined by 37 Gujjar-Bakarwal heroes who laid down their lives for the defense of the nation. Their sacrifice was second to no regular soldier. In honor of these bravehearts, the Army constructed the joint “Jawan and Awaam” War Memorial, where a military Guard of
Honour is presented every year to pay tribute to their memory
Yet, a poignant question continues to confront society and the governance apparatus: Did these sacrifices receive the formal institutional recognition and identity they rightfully deserved? Unfortunately, the Jammu and Kashmir government has not granted official ‘Martyr’ (Shahid) status to these 37 fallen heroes to this day. Adding to this irony, out of the local warriors who fought shoulder-to-shoulder with the Army in that historic campaign, only four survivors are alive today. Due to bureaucratic and administrative apathy, these remaining aging heroes are forced to run from pillar to post today just to secure their basic rights, rehabilitation, and livelihood. Over time, this monumental contribution has been systematically sidelined from the national collective memory.
Current Socio-Economic Vulnerabilities and the Way Forward
Despite these glaring grievances, the nationalist consciousness of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community has never wavered. They have stood by their oath of denying any quarter to terrorists within their social fabric. Terrorists usually thrive in areas where they can enforce or find local support, but the Gujjar-Bakarwals have rendered their zones completely hostile to anti-national elements. This community remains a resilient human wall of social resistance against terrorism.
The paradox, however, is that this society, which has played such a vanguard role in national security, continues to grapple with severe socio-economic hardships. Due to their nomadic lifestyle, their access to education, healthcare, and basic infrastructure remains abysmally restricted. Even today, several far-flung pockets of Hill Kaka and Surankote lack all-weather metalled roads, proper schools, regular electricity, drinking water, and basic healthcare facilities (dawa-paani). Their political representation remains disproportionately low, and the trickle-down effect of government welfare schemes is painfully slow.
Today, the need of the hour is not merely to recall their valor in ceremonial speeches, but to back it up with institutional recognition and socio-economic empowerment. Both the government and civil society must step forward to ensure the security, education, health, and preservation of the traditional livelihood of the Gujjar-Bakarwal community. Their footprints in the counter-terrorism arc must be permanently etched into national history textbooks and the country’s collective memory.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Ununiformed Patriotism
Since 2018, the International Gujjar Mahasabha has been organizing commemorative events on May 27 every year to mark ‘Hill Kaka Day’ and the success of Operation Sarp Vinash. These forums bring together the Army and the local populace to pay homage to the fallen heroes of both sides. This is not merely the observance of a calendar date, but a solemn salute to a shared heritage where the Jawan and the Awaam bled together to save the nation.
‘Operation Sarp Vinash @ 23’ is not just the anniversary of a past military campaign; it is a reminder of an untold epic where ordinary citizens living amidst the crags of Kashmir displayed extraordinary valor. It reminds us that a war against terror cannot be won by the military alone; it is a comprehensive battle of society, culture, and national consciousness. And in this battle, the Gujjar-Bakarwal community undoubtedly stands at the absolute vanguard—without uniforms, without salaries, but armed with an indomitable spirit of patriotism and absolute allegiance to the Republic of Bharat.
(The Author is Security & International Affairs Expert)
