Restores the Command!

It was in the early days of its stay at Jaffna Fort that 12 Field Sub Group (12 FSG) had the privilege to welcome Brig Manjit Singh, Commander 41 Infantry Brigade.  I was the Commanding Officer of 12 FSG. It was indeed a memorable occasion for me and a spectacular event in the history of this EW unit.

 Manjit had just taken over command when the Brigade got orders to move forthwith to Jaffna, Srilanka to take part in Op Pawan. IPKF had suffered heavy casualties when the LTTE turned hostile in the early days of Op Pawan. 41 Infantry Brigade was being rushed to reinforce the badly affected 54 Infantry Division. No sooner than the Brigade arrived at Palali in Jaffna it was pressed into action; ordered to link up with 1 Maratha Light Infantry (1 MLI) deployed in and around Jaffna Fort.

12 FSG was co-located with 1MLI. We were within the defended area occupying a flank along with one of the MLI companies. 1MLI and other troops including 12 FSG in the area were under a siege, surrounded on all sides by the LTTE and harassed by them. We used to come under sporadic fire. We were totally cut off with no road or air link. There was no way for us to get out or for that matter any type of help to reach us. We had some stock of ammunition, fuel and rations but no fresh supplies or replenishments.  The only link that existed was radio communication. It was a humiliation for the mighty Indian Army and 54 Infantry Division in charge had to undertake a major operation to break the siege.

Jaffna Fort was constructed by the Portuguese in 1618. It was captured by the Dutch in 1658. They expanded it and rebuilt the gate in 1680. The British took control over the Fort in 1795 and it remained with them till 1948. It is a historical land mark, a heritage site. On one side is a lagoon. There are many important buildings within the Fort and without. From the ramparts of the Fort one can get a panoramic view of the beautiful surroundings including the lagoon and boats that move around. It was a matter of prestige to occupy this Fort, apart from its military importance.

When 12FSG moved to the Fort in early October 1987, the LTTE had not been hostile. We could move around and get a feel of the place. It is one of the most beautiful places on the globe. We could also meet with the people in Jaffna who were friendly, cultured and simple. But it took only 3 weeks for us to face a hostile LTTE when it launched a fierce attack on Indian troops deployed around the Fort. Our troops retaliated. It was no more peace keeping. IPKF carried out a few raids and captured some militants. It was war, by now. The LTTE responded by putting a noose around our localities. The LTTE dominated the lagoon as well. This led to a complete siege that lasted for almost a month. During this period 12 FSG was able to carry out interception of hostile radio communications and provide valuable signal intelligence and combat information from its detachments deployed on the ramparts and the tall T & T office building outside the Fort. We came under fire several times but luckily suffered no casualties. During this period we had to adapt and innovate a lot to take on the unconventional and unfamiliar LTTE communications that kept us fully and meaningfully engaged. The siege and consequent shortages did affect us; one of the major worries was the shortage of diesel to run our generators.

It was welcome news for us that 41 Infantry Brigade had been tasked to link up and we awaited its arrival eagerly. However what we came to know through  intercepts was bad news. The Brigade had faced very stiff opposition on its way; it was stalled at many places initially and had to stop the advance mid-way due to ambushes and heavy fire. It suffered heavy casualties. However Manjit took a bold decision to move forward with a small group comprising his GSO3 and two infantry companies. It was a daring move and despite interference from the LTTE, Manjit managed to reach the Fort at night with a few dead bodies and several injured soldiers. Col TPS Brar, CO, 1 MLI received him and took him to the Ops Room. I was present there along with Maj Shankar Murthy, my 2IC. Manjit and I had known each other very well but I found him dazed and unable to respond to my words. His combat dress was full of blood and he was in a terrible state of mind. He had no contact with his Brigade Headquarters and battalions. He didn’t have any information about what was happening and he wanted to get in touch with them. He was desperate. CO, MLI told me about the predicament and I went to Manjit offering help in contacting the Brigade Headquarters and battalions. The GSO3 knew the frequencies of the radio nets although his set was out of order. I asked Shankar, my 2IC to rush to our EW detachment close by and search for the brigade radio net, B1 and battalion nets. Manjit wanted to go to the detachment and I took him there in my jeep. On the way he came to my den and changed his clothes, getting rid of his blood soaked combat dress and wearing my shorts and T shirt. As soon as we reached the EW detachment, we heard Shankar yelling on the radio set trying to speak with someone; he had succeeded in getting through on B1. Manjit grabbed the hand set and roared! Soon the Tiger was yelling at his staff and Commanding Officers at the top of his voice but he was visibly relieved! At last he could speak with his BM, Deputy Commander and Battalion Commanders. He gave fresh orders to resume the move to the Fort. Then he turned to me and hugged me. He hugged Shankar. And he told us that we had restored his command! He shook hands with our JCOs and men. He had tea and biscuits with the EW detachment. He thanked every one of us. Manjit requested me for keeping this link throughout the night and I had no hesitation in allowing. He continued to communicate with his staff and unit commanders through this link throughout the night.

It was a great moment for EW albeit it was not our typical role. 12 FSG, the first EW unit of Indian Army to take part in active operations could restore the command for a brigade commander during operations! Manjit got an MVC in this operation!! He had always acknowledged and praised the role of EW in Op Pawan.  I did not refer to anyone but took the decision on my own in searching out his Headquarters and battalions and facilitating the communication to the Brigade Commander for the crucial link up. 41 Infantry Brigade linked up and took charge of Jaffna Fort.  Manjit and I became close to each other. He used to move out of the Brigade Headquarters quite often and I used to travel with him. Thanks to our association, I got to know the tactical requirements in such unconventional operations and together we could employ EW imaginatively to provide intimate support to counter insurgency operations.

Brig Manjit Singh, MVC was a daring and dynamic commander. He was willing and wanting to use EW. Together we planned, experimented and innovated. EW support became a part of all operations of 41 Infantry Brigade and 12 FSG was in great demand. The Brigade Commander became a great admirer of the potential of EW and remained an advocate of EW as a force multiplier! 12 FSG displayed a high degree of professional excellence during its stay in Jaffna peninsula. Within a short span of 3 months this EW Unit of around 120 personnel got 12 awards! There are many significant achievements of 12 FSG in Op Pawan; the first and perhaps the most spectacular, is “Restoring the Command"!