Thunder of the Bofors

In the Kargil War, artillery was one of the decisive forces of victory. The enemy had occupied high ridges and fortified sangars, making direct infantry assaults extremely dangerous. Before soldiers could close in on enemy bunkers, those positions had to be shaken, suppressed and weakened. This task belonged to the gunners.

The 155 mm Bofors gun became legendary during Operation Vijay. Its high-angle fire allowed Indian artillery to strike enemy positions located on steep ridgelines and reverse slopes. The sound of Bofors fire echoing through the Dras Valley became one of the defining sounds of the war. The QR script describes the Bofors as the “hammer of Kargil” and records that Indian gunners fired over 2.5 lakh rounds, dismantling enemy strongholds peak by peak.

Artillery did not replace infantry courage, but it made many infantry assaults possible. The guns broke bunkers, disrupted enemy supply, reduced enemy firing strength and gave assaulting troops the chance to move closer. The relationship between gunner and infantryman was therefore sacred. The gunner fired from below, often under pressure and counter-fire, so that the infantryman could climb above.

The 75/24 Pack Howitzer also carries a mountain warfare story. The QR script describes it as a weapon engineered for Himalayan terrain, capable of being disassembled, carried by mules or airlifted into combat. Its value lay in its mobility and ability to provide fire support in difficult terrain.

This story should be narrated with force and rhythm. Visitors should feel the thunder of guns, the shaking of ridges, and the coordination between artillery and infantry. Point 5140 being remembered as Gun Hill is a fitting tribute to the artillerymen. In Kargil, the guns did not simply fire shells; they opened the mountains for victory.