On May 21, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) organized a talk on 'The Battle of Zolila' by Col. Ajay Singh (Retd). He has authored multiple books and over 200 articles in a wide range of genres. His books include ‘The Battles that Shaped Indian History’, a collection of twelve of India’s major battles; ‘A Spectrum of Modern Warfare’; and ‘India’s Battlefields from Kurukshetra to Balakot’, which covers 42 of India’s battles; ‘War in Ukraine: The Conflict and its Global Impact’ and ‘Ukraine, Gaza, Taiwan… A World at War.’ He is the recipient of the Rabindranath Tagore International Award for Art and Literature 2021 and the Bharat Literary Award 2023.

In the introductory remark, VIF Director Dr. Arvind Gupta briefly touched on the importance of the Battle of Zojila in 1948. The outcome of the battle reopened the Srinagar-Leh route and repelled the Pakistani intruders. It also ensured that Ladakh was safeguarded. It demonstrated India’s military innovation and strategic capability in defending its territorial integrity post-Independence.

Col. Ajay Singh’s talk on the Battle of Zojila provided a comprehensive understanding of the importance of the Zojila Pass in accessing Ladakh from Kashmir, and it also outlined the key events starting from Pakistan’s intrusions in the area to India’s recapture of the Zojila Pass and its surrounding areas. The Battle of Zojila shaped the geography of India. At 11,500 feet, the strategic importance of Zojila Pass on the narrow and treacherous road between Srinagar and Leh cannot be overstated. The pass is often battered by heavy winds and snow.

In the aftermath of Partition, Pakistan was formed, and each princely state was left to decide whether to accede to India or Pakistan or remain independent. The ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, delayed his decision. However, Pakistan wanted Kashmir to be part of its territory because of its natural resources, particularly water. Rivers flowing from Kashmir are the major source of water for Pakistan, and hence the region was considered vital for the survival of the new state. Also, Kashmir had a Muslim majority population.

High-level meetings took place in Pakistan immediately after its formation to chart out a course of action to militarily capture Kashmir. Major General Akbar Khan of the Pakistani Army was the brain behind the operation to mount a covert invasion. Tribal militias, or "Lashkars", from the North-West Frontier Province were used by Major General Akbar Khan to invade Kashmir on 22nd October, 1947. These Lashkars were equipped and supported by the Pakistani military. The invaders looted, raped, and murdered civilians in Kashmir, particularly in Baramulla. While the invaders pillaged western Kashmir, desperate attempts were made by Brigadier Rajinder Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir State Forces and troops under his commend to hold them back. Local Kashmiri resistance also played a key role in slowing down the Pakistani march towards Srinagar. One notable figure was Maqbool Sherwani, a Kashmiri who misled the Pakistanis by giving them wrong directions.

On 26th October, 1947, the Maharaja of Kashmir formally signed the Instrument of Accession to India, and Indian troops were airlifted into Srinagar. This marked the beginning of the Indian Army’s active engagement in Kashmir. Indian forces managed to push back the Pakistani invaders and began reclaiming territory. After securing Srinagar, India launched its counter-offensive, in which India reclaimed Uri, Baramulla and other key locations. As the Indian Army advanced toward Muzaffarabad, Pakistani forces intensified attacks in the southern Jammu sector, particularly in Rajouri, Poonch, and Jammu. This forced India to redirect some of its troops southwards, halting the full advance towards Muzaffarabad.

At the same time, Pakistani forces were advancing in Gilgit-Baltistan. The 6th Jammu and Kashmir State Forces were ill-equipped to hold the large swathes of land. The unit was a mix of Dogra and Muslim soldiers, some of whom defected to Pakistan. The remaining Jammu and Kashmir State Forces consolidated at Skardu under Major Sher Jung Thapa. Despite being under siege, they resisted for nearly eight months until they surrendered on 14 August 1948, with most of the Sikh and Hindu soldiers being massacred.

While Skardu was under siege, Pakistani raiders advanced towards Leh, which was defended by a scanty force. To strengthen the Indian defence, Major Prithi Chand of the Dogra Regiment, along with 80 volunteers, trekked for a month through knee- and chest-deep snow from Srinagar to Leh carrying additional supplies, rifles, and ammunition. The garrison at Leh was reinforced, and a local militia was organized to bolster the defences. Pakistan launched a tactical manoeuvre to seize Zojila Pass and cut off the supply route to Leh. The Pakistani Army captured Zojila on 2 May 1948. The capture of Zojila Pass allowed Pakistan to control Drass, Kargil, and all territory east of Zojila except Leh.

The Pakistani Army fortified its position in the Zojila Pass by building bunkers and installing machine guns and anti-aircraft guns to counter Indian attacks. Multiple Indian attempts to recapture Zojila were thwarted. The turning point came with an unprecedented decision to use tanks at over 11,500 feet to destroy enemy entrenchments. The Indian Army transported Stuart light tanks of the 7th Cavalry stationed in Akhnoor to Zojila Pass. Given the mountainous terrain, it was thought nearly impossible to move tanks to such a height. Nevertheless, the Indian Army engineered a brilliant solution. They dismantled the turrets of the tanks and transported each component separately on camouflaged trucks to avoid detection. The tanks were reassembled at the base of Zojila. The next challenge was the 13-kilometre, steep and narrow ascent to the top of Zojila. The road was widened to support tank movement. This enormous engineering task was undertaken by Major Thangaraj, and the road, now known as Thangaraj Road, was secretly built over one month, often at night and under dangerous conditions involving explosives.

The Indian attack was launched on 1 November 1948 under the command of Brigadier Kodandera Subayya Thimayya (later General). The Indian Stuart Light tanks were supported by artillery and infantry. Despite continuous snowfall, limited visibility, and the constant risk of plunging into 8,000-foot-deep ravines, the tanks moved inch by inch up the treacherous slopes. The soldiers had to physically push some of the tanks to the top. The Pakistani forces were surprised to see tanks at that altitude. The intercepted radio messages captured the disbelief of the Pakistani forces. When informed that Indian tanks had arrived at Zojila, a Pakistani commander dismissed the claim, exclaiming, "Tanks? Impossible... you must be drunk. They are not tanks; they are yaks!" This reaction underscored the unlikeliness of what had just occurred—tanks operating at over 11,500 feet in rugged, snowbound terrain. The tanks engaged and destroyed multiple Pakistani bunkers. Faced with the unexpected assault and rapid Indian advance, the Pakistani Army retreated hastily. Within four hours, the surrounding areas were secured by Indian forces, and the capture of Zojila was complete.

The victory at Zojila reopened land access to Ladakh, enabling India to push further into territories that were under threat. The operation not only demonstrated India’s resolve and courage but also showcased its logistical innovation and tactical planning under the most challenging conditions imaginable. The successful deployment of tanks at such a high altitude, a world first at the time, remains a legendary feat of military engineering and determination. Carried out in utmost secrecy, tanks had been disassembled, transported in parts up the mountainous terrain, and reassembled at the front under camouflage in such treacherous terrain and blizzard-like weather. The operation was a key turning point in the first India-Pakistan war, opening the gateway to Ladakh and decisively turning the tide in India’s favour. The Battle of Zojila laid the groundwork for retaining Ladakh as an integral part of India. This engaging talk was followed by a question-and-answer session, and the discussion concluded with the closing remarks by Dr Arvind Gupta.