Brij Mehta Diaries

After a short tenure, we moved to Jammu & Kashmir and were posted near Drugmulla village in January 1971. The railhead was Pathankot, and our transit route wound through Pathankot, Jammu, Udhampur, and finally Srinagar. The unit was spread across the hillside, with our company barracks perched on a knoll, overlooking terraced fields,Apricot Trees  and scattered village homes. The crisp mountain air carried the scent of pine and wood smoke, a constant reminder of the terrain we had entered.

Training and Familiarization

Initially, I was part of a Rifle Company and participated in training activities and familiarization of the Line of Control. I visited most of the Border Outposts in the Uri and Tangdhar sectors. My first snowfall at Gulmarg was unforgettable—the hush of falling flakes, the crunch of boots on fresh snow, and the sight of colleagues enjoying snow as they adjusted to the biting cold.

Jawans were ordered to move in pairs from the road head (Transport Park) to the company location, as the path passed through a populated village. The murmur of villagers, the occasional bark of a dog, and the curious eyes of children reminded us of the importance of discipline. Routine patrolling became part of our rhythm, the silence of the hills broken only by the rustle of boots and the metallic clink of rifles.

Preparation for Officer Entry

Despite the demands of field life, I devoted time to prepare for the Army Cadet College (ACC) entry. Evenings often found me listening to radio news crackling through static, or poring over the SSB Guide by Jodh Singh under the dim glow of a lantern.

Major SRS Manhas, officiating CO, once took me to Brigade HQ where I was interviewed by the Brigade Commander. Though my performance was modest, the Commander, moved by my enthusiasm, recommended me for officer entry. My applications for SSC and ACC were forwarded by Formation HQ—a moment of quiet triumph.

Duties and Documentation

The field station demanded extensive documentation for the troops. I was placed to assist the Company Clerk, which proved invaluable for my SSB preparation. Drafting Part Two Orders by hand for “A” Company became routine—the scratch of pen on paper, the careful alignment of figures—each order affecting allowances whenever jawans entered or left the Field Area.

Mentors and Comrades

I was encouraged by several officers—Maj SRS Manhas, SF Haque, MS Karpe, Daljeet Singh, AS Bhatotia, and SK Kar (who later commanded The Double First). Clerks such as NK Sarwar Singh also guided me. Other officers included Lt Col NK Talwar, Majors TNS Yadav, Jagphool Singh, SS Rana, SK Mehra, MS Verma, Girendra Singh, DN Umed Singh, Om Prakash (QM), Sukumaran M, and Anurag Gupta. My homage to those no longer with us—may God grant peace to their departed souls.

Family Connections

It was from Drugmulla that I sent a money order of Rs. 50 to my father in January 1970. I also started a monthly family allotment of Rs. 10 to my mother, my nominee in the record of service. This allotment was automatically adjusted in the monthly pay statement by the PAO. The facility allowed troops in field areas to remit fixed amounts to their families, given the inaccessibility of post office services. The act of sending money home carried with it a warmth that balanced the austerity of field life.

Visits to Srinagar

During transits to and from Srinagar, I visited my cousin Ravinder Mehta, who was posted in a bank and lived in a rented room nearby. We met a few times, even watched a movie together. The streets of downtown Srinagar bustled with vendors, the aroma of kahwa and roasted nuts drifting through the air. At that time, there was no fear in visiting the city.

The transit camp itself was not barricaded like a fortress as it is today. Transients could easily buy apples and dry fruits from local vendors who had set up stalls across the fencing. The sight of bright red apples stacked neatly, the chatter of sellers, and the easy mingling of soldiers and civilians painted a picture of a Kashmir that felt open and welcoming.

Reflection: These months at Drugmulla were a blend of duty, discipline, and personal milestones. The snow at Gulmarg, the quiet evenings with radio news, the scratch of pen on Part Two Orders, and the warmth of family connections all shaped my journey toward becoming an officer. They remain etched in memory as a time when the rigors of service were softened by moments of humanity and hope. Khanna gave me simplicity and discipline; Delhi offered exposure and camaraderie. Both places, with their sounds, smells, and rhythms, shaped the boy who would later stand on the knoll at Drugmulla, balancing duty with dreams of becoming an officer.