Baramulla, Aug 10: After serving as a porter for the Indian Army for years since 1965, Noor Muhammad Thaker was rewarded for his services and dedication during a symposium on “Hajipir – Valour Beyond the Pass” organised at Thimayya Hall, Baramulla.
Noor Muhammad, a former porter, was felicitated by General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava, at the occasion.
An official said Noor Muhammad who served as porter several decades ago bore the Indian Army’s burdens “with a soldier’s heart.”
He said that in August 1965, Pakistan’s Operation Gibraltar unleashed 18 Punjab, Azad Kashmir Regiment, and Razakar infiltrators to seize Haji Pir Pass (2,637m).
“It was a vital artery fortified with machine guns, mines, and barbed wire at Sank (2,895m) and Bedori (3,760m),” the army official said.
He said that 1 Para of Indian Army, led by Major Ranjit Singh Dyal, launched Operation Bakshi and captured the pass in a daring night assault which, he said, shattered Pakistani defenses.
Following this, Noor Muhammad was summoned from Mohura along with other 24 porters who joined 7 Maratha Light Infantry at Uri to build Tilpatra Post near Kaman Post.
“Under relentless rain and Pakistani shelling, they hauled supplies, their hands were blistered and their backs were bent,” the official said.
He said that amid shelling, Noor Muhammad along with his friend Lateef and two others ventured to a jungle spring with heavy hearts amid the unease.
“Five Pakistani infiltrators ambushed them. Noor was blindfolded and marched across the ceasefire line to Muzaffarabad’s dank cells,” the officer said.
“During my questioning, I was labeled as a spy. I was frightened and was uncertain about my fate. I told them I am a porter,” Noor, now fragile and weak, recalls the incident. The Army officer meanwhile added that Noor was beaten with cables, starved, and left shivering in wet clothes.
“During his interrogation, the Pakistani Army was desperate to know secrets of the Indian Army,” the officer said. The Army Officer recalled that during a prisoner exchange in 1966 In October 1966, Noor was brought home.
“He was scared and weak. He joined his family without celebrating his return,” the Army officer said.
Soon after joining his family, Noor, according to the Army officer, again served the Army as a porter for several years. “He served Army as a porter to raise his four sons and pets at home,”
During the symposium on “Hajipir – Valour Beyond the Pass” organised at Thimayya Hall, Noor Muhammad was silently watched the proceedings, as his services were recalled by the Army officers and showered praises on him.
