1-6)Tiger hills

Tiger Hills   

ICE BREAKErs      

 Ajoy and Sujoy went to watch a cricket match. They enjoyed it very much, but  they missed their friends Vinay and Sunay. Next day, when the four friends met, Ajoy  reported how the game was played, how the players performed and how the game .ended Sujoy told them that they missed Vinay and Sunay very much and they were  eager to tell them about the enjoyments.

• (i) Now complete the following sentences.

 (a) Ajoy reported about……………

 (b) Sujoy reported about………….

(ii) The word 'report' means-

 (a) Give a spoken or written account of something.

 (b) Cover an event or subject as a journalist or reporter.

• (i) Refer to a standard dictionary and find out the meaning of the following 

words:

 (a) Reportage

 (b) Reporter

 (c) Reported speech

 (d) Reportorial 

(ii) Find and discuss some examples of reports related to the given topics.

 (a) Award distribution

 (b) Bravery awards

 (c) Any social issue

• You might have read war stories or watched war movies. Make a list of  the. factors which make them interesting

.General Ved Prakash Malik PVSM, AVSM served as the  19thChief of Army Staff of the Indian Army from the 30th  September1997 to 30th September 2000. He was the Army  Chief during the Kargil War. He is the recipient of Param  VishishtaSeva Medal and Ati Vishishta Seva Medal and Raksha .Medal 

‘Kargil’ from surprise to victory is an account of the Kargil  Victory on 4th July 1996 by General V. P. Malik. It is the finest  example of how to write a report. He describes the event in the minutest details, but  without the slightest depiction of the emotional involvement he had in it. Tiger Hills  is. an extract from the book Kargil written by General V. P. Malik.

1-6} Tiger Hills

Tiger Hill towers majestically above all other 

mountaintops in its vicinity. Although located almost 

10 kilometers north of the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh highway, 

the enemy position on this mountaintop dominated 

parts of this highway. After the recapture of Tololing 

and the adjacent features, evicting the enemy from 

this well-fortified position became a priority.

As the sharp triangular top of Tiger Hill was 

clearly visible from the highway, and appeared almost 

impossible to capture, the media had projected the 

entire episode as a national challenge. 

Brigadier M.P.S. Bajwa, commander, 192 Mountain 

Brigade, assigned the mission of capturing Tiger Hill 

to 18 grenadiers, now rested and recouped after their 

achievements at Tololing and Hump, and to 8 Sikh, 

which was already deployed at its base. Both these 

units were assisted by a crack team from the High 

Altitude Warfare School, with maximum possible 

artillery, engineering and other combat support.

Throughout the last week of June 1999, 18 

Grenadiers probed to establish the extent of the 

enemy’s defences and to scout for suitable routes for 

the assault. A simultaneous multidirectional assault 

emerged as the best strategy. The commanding officer 

of 41 Field Regiment drew up an elaborate artilleryadjacent: Situated near 

or close to something.

evicting: To remove 

somebody from a house 

or land, especially with 

the support of law.

well-fortified: To 

strengthen a place well 

against attack.

Guess the meanings from 

the context: 1. projected

2. episode 3. assigned

4. feature

mission: A particular 

task done by a person or 

a group; a particular aim 

or duty that one wants 

to fulfill more than 

anything else.fire plan. Individual guns were ranged so as to cover 

each objective. Bofors guns were used in a direct 

firing role once again, with inspiring accuracy. On the 

day of the assault, nearly 120 field and medium guns, 

122-mm multibarrelled Grad rocket launchers and 

mortars rained death and destruction on the enemy at 

Tiger Hill. The Air Force, too, targeted Tiger Hill on 

2-3 July, and hit the bull’s eye several times during 

its missions.

For the first time in India’s military history, a TV 

channel covered the battle live: a sign of progress and 

transparency, not to mention the on-screen depiction 

of confidence. The Tiger Hill feature extends about 

2200 meters from west to east and about 1000 meters 

north to south. The main extension is towards the 

west, on which there are two prominent protrusions.

The first, approximately 500 meters west of Tiger Hill, 

had been named ‘India Gate’, and the second, ‘Helmet’ 

(located another 300 meters away). Approximately one 

company of 12 Northern Light Infantry (Pakistan) 

held the whole feature.

At 1900 hours on 3 July, 18 Grenadiers commenced 

its multidirectional assault under the cover of bad 

weather and darkness, supported by the fire power of 

artillery and mortars. ‘A’ company captured an 

intermediate position called Tongue by 0130 hours on 

4 July. Further advance along the southeastern spur

leading to Tiger Hill Top was stalled due to accurate 

fire by the enemy from India Gate, Helmet and Top.

Meanwhile, Captain Sachin Nimbalkar led the ‘D’ 

Company assault from the east. His company had to 

negotiate steep escarpment using mountaineering 

equipment, despite the darkness and the inclement 

weather.

His approach took the enemy by surprise. After 

some firefighting, ‘D’ Company was successful in 

occupying the eastern portion of Area Collar, which 

lay within 100 meters of Tiger Hill Top.

On another front, ‘C’ Company and Ghatak 

(Commando) platoon under Lieutenant Balwan Singh 

also surprised the enemy, this time along the difficultprotrusion- A thing that 

extends from the place or 

from the surface; 

something that sticks out.

spur- an area of high 

ground extending from a 

mountain or hill.

escarpment - a long, 

steep slope at the edge of 

a plateaunortheastern spur and obtained a toehold just 30 meters 

from the top.

At 0400 hours on 4 July, after a carefully 

orchestrated artillery bombardment, Sachin Nimbalkar 

and Balwan Singh along with their men approached 

Tiger Hill Top by climbing a sheer cliff and caught 

the enemy unawares. After a spell of hand-to-hand 

fighting, they succeeded in capturing the objective. 

Although 18 Grenadiers held the top now, linking up 

with them was not easy. When the initial surprise wore 

off, the enemy started gearing up for launching 

counterattacks. 

One of the most difficult tasks during the course 

of a battle is to maintain one’s hold on the ground 

captured, before the next assault can be launched. 

Throughout the next morning artillery duels continued. 

Casualties mounted on both sides. The Grenadiers 

hung on to their precarious perch with grit and 

determination. Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav and 

his team members exhibited exceptional courage during 

this assault.

At this stage, 8 Mount Division realized that it 

would not be possible to evict the enemy from Tiger 

Hill completely as long as his supply lines along the 

western spur were intact. Mohinder Puri and M.P.S. 

Bajwa then issued orders to 8 Sikh to attack and 

capture Helmet and India Gate (both located on the 

western spur) so that enemy reinforcements to Tiger 

Hill Top could be prevented. The move was also 

intended to cut off the enemy’s supply route.

The western spur of Tiger Hill extended up to 1.5 

kilometers the approach to the spur, where 8 Sikh was 

deployed, lay along a steep rock face. An adhoc

column of 8 Sikh, led by Major Ravindra Singh and 

lieutenant R. K. Sehrawat, comprising four JCOs and 

fifty-two soldiers, climbed this rock face under poor 

visibility conditions and was able to capture India 

Gate after a tough fight. In this battle, Subedar Nirmal 

Singh led the assault platoon. He was engaged in 

hand-to hand-fighting till the end and was also 

responsible for beating back a counterattack.Precarious- not safe, 

dangerous

Perch: a high seat or 

position

adhoc: adv- when 

necessary or needed 

adj - created or done for a 

particular purpose Despite heavy casualties, 8 Sikh exploited its 

success up to Helmet and captured this objective on 5 

July.

The enemy launched two counterattacks with forty 

to fifty personnel, but 8 Sikh fought gallantly and was 

able to repulse them. Naib Subedar Karnail Singh and 

Rifleman Satpal Singh, who were part of a platoon 

deployed on the reverse slope of Helmet, showed 

exceptional courage. In one of these counterattacks, 

Captain Karnal Sher Khan of the Pakistan Army was 

killed. His body was subsequently handed over to the 

Pakistani authorities. Other bodies of the Pakistani 

soldiers found scattered around the battleground were 

collected and buried appropriately.

In New Delhi, I had remained anxious all through 

the night of 3 July. The next morning, Krishan Pal, 

GOC 15 Corps, rang up at 0600 hours to inform me 

that 18 Grenadiers had captured Tiger Hill Top and 

also that heavy fighting was going on. After consulting 

him and Nirmal Chander Vij, we decided to await 

confirmation from the GOC 8 Mountain Division. At 

0730 hours, Mohinder Puri confirmed to me that the 

enemy would not be able to dislodge 18 Grenadiers 

from Tiger Hill Top. I duly informed Brajesh Mishra 

and the Prime Minister, who was scheduled to address 

a public meeting in Haryana at 1000 hours. The 

Defence Minister was on his way to Amritsar. When 

he landed at the airport, I gave him this exciting 

news.

The date, 4 July 1999, was important for one more 

reason. Nawaz Sharif was due to meet the US 

President, Bill Clinton, later in the day. About ten to 

fifteen hours before their meeting, we made sure that 

the whole world came to know about the recapture of 

Tiger Hill, and thus the likely outcome of the war.

For some time, Pakistan even denied the existence 

of such mountain feature and labelled the entire 

operation as a figment of our imagination; the loss of 

Tiger Hill was a hard physical and psychological 

blow. In India, wave of jubilation and relief replaced 

the gloomy mood of the people.Brajesh Mishra : an 

Indian diplomat and 

politician who was Prime 

Minister Atal Bihari 

Vajpayee’s Principal 

Secretary and National 

Secuity Advisor from 

1988 to 2004.On 8 July, after the entire Tiger Hill objective had 

been cleared and the situation stablilized, 18 Grenadiers 

hoisted the Indian tricolour on Tiger Hill Top. 

Throughout its tenure in the nearly two-month long 

war, the battalion acquitted itself with high 

professionalism and honour. Displaying unshakeable 

determination and collective valour, all its members 

covered themselves with glory and notched up two of 

the finest victories for the Indian Army. After the war, 

as the battalion requested a UN mission, Army 

Headquarters sent it to Sierra Leone (West Africa). 

There too, the battalion successfully carried out a 

major rescue operation (Operation Khukri).

- General Ved Prakash Malik On 8 July, after the entire Tiger Hill objective had 

been cleared and the situation stablilized, 18 Grenadiers 

hoisted the Indian tricolour on Tiger Hill Top. 

Throughout its tenure in the nearly two-month long 

war, the battalion acquitted itself with high 

professionalism and honour. Displaying unshakeable 

determination and collective valour, all its members 

covered themselves with glory and notched up two of 

the finest victories for the Indian Army. After the war, 

as the battalion requested a UN mission, Army 

Headquarters sent it to Sierra Leone (West Africa). 

There too, the battalion successfully carried out a 

major rescue operation (Operation Khukri).

- General Ved Prakash Malik 

BRAINSTORMING

(A1) (i) Narrate in your own words a similar based on text to the class.

(ii) Imagine that you are about to interview the writer. Write 10 to 15 questions 

regarding the operation.

(A2) (i) Enlist any four facts which made the capturing of Tiger Hill a national 

challenge.

(ii) Different arms and ammunitions are mentioned in the excerpt. Find their 

names.

(iii) Wars are not fought only on the battlefield. Comment.

(iv) Prompt reporting is of strategic importance during a war. Refer to the 

above extract and explain.

(iv) Read the extract and do the following activities.

 Make a list of the preparations made for an assault on Tiger Hill.

 (a) Throughout the last week of June 1999, 18 Grenadiers…..

 (b) They also explored to……….

 (c) After confirming the multidirectional assault as the best strategy the 

commanding officer…….

 (d) Individual guns……

 (e) Bofors guns……(v) Complete the flow chart showing the events on the day of the assault.

On 2-3 July 1999, Air Force

At 1900 hours on 3 July …………

At 0130 hours on 4 July……..

‘D’ Company leader ………..

‘D’ Company occupied…….. 

A toehold was……..

At 0400 hours on 4 July,……..

After a short period of………

On 8th July, Indian Tricolour …… 

(vi) Rewrite the given statements in their order of occurence.

The most difficult task of maintaining the hold on Tiger Hill was achieved 

in this way:

 (a) 8 Sikh was ordered to attack and capture Helmet and India Gate.

 (b) Bodies of the Pakistani soldiers were collected and buried appropriately.

 (c) During the ferocious artillery duels the Grenadiers hung on their precarious 

perch with grit and determination.

 (d) Sikh fought back successfully two counterattacks with forty to fifty 

personnel.

 (e) An adhoc column of 8 Sikh climbed the steep rock and captured India 

Gate.

 (f) In spite of heavy casualties, 8 Sikh captured Helmet on 5 July.

(A3) (i) Discuss the meanings of the following idioms/phrases and use them in your 

own sentences.

 (a) To hit the bull’s eye

 (b) To be taken by surprise

 (c) To get a toehold(d) Under the cover of

 (e) A spell of

(ii) Read the following words :

 Brigadier, Commander, capture, evicting, enemy, defense

 All these words are related to the war affairs and war. 

 Find more such words from the passage

.

(iii) Understand the usage of the words given:

After consulting him and Nirmal Chander Singh, we decided to await confirmation 

from the GOC and Mountain Division.

You know the verb ‘wait’. But it is an intransitive verb. It doesn’t take a direct 

object; consequently it cannot be cast into passive voice. Also, the past participle of 

the verb ‘to wait’ cannot act as an adjective.

‘The mother waited eagerly’ is a correct sentence as there is no direct object. But 

‘The mother waited eagerly the answer from her son.’ is a wrong sentence. ‘The answer’ 

is the direct object. This sentence can be written by using the phrase ‘wait for’ as ‘The 

mother waited eagerly for the answer from her son.’ ‘Wait for’ can be taken as the 

transitive phrasal verb.

‘To await’ is a transitive verb and it does take a direct object.

For example, ‘The mother awaited the answer eagerly.’

The past participle of it can be used as an adjective.

The most awaited programme started very late.

Note that the object of verb ‘await’ is usually an inanimate object. We don’t usually 

await a person, but we await his answer/ call/ arrival/ letter. 

There are more such words in English. All of them are not verbs. 

For example: Aside, Ashore, Anew, Awake, Afoot.

Prefix ‘A’ provides certain purpose in the formation of the word.

(a) Aside- to the side

(b) Ashore- towards the shore

(c) Afoot-on foot 

(d) Anew- of new

(e) Apolitical- not political 

(f) Asleep- in a state or manner

Share with your friends few more words

.(A4) (i) Use of although/ though/ even though/but

 Read the following sentences.

(a) Although the café was crowded, we found a vacant table.

 Although Sadie has passed her test, she never drives.

 The clause with although can also come after the main clause. 

For example: We found a vacant table, although the café was crowded.

(b) Though I liked the pullover, I didn’t buy it.

 Though it was pouring cats and dogs, he set out for his journey.

 We can use though at the end of the sentence. 

 For example: I liked the pullover; I didn’t buy it, though.

(c) We can use ‘even though’ in the same way.

 John looked quite fresh even though he had just recovered from jaundice.

 ‘Even though’ can be used in the beginning of the sentence also.

 ‘Even though’ I hate Gopal, I shall try to be nice with him. 

 ‘Even though’ is stronger and more emphatic than ‘although’. 

(d) We can join two clauses with ‘but’.

 For example: We wanted to go abroad, but our passports were not ready.

 We use these words (although, though, even though, but) to show the contrast 

between two clauses or two sentences. 

 Although, though, even though and but can be used as conjunctions to introduce 

afterthoughts, contrasts or restrictions and conditions.

 Find out the sentences from the lesson in which any of these words are used.

 Discuss in pairs/groups the purpose they serve. 

(ii) Sing and recite one of the famous folk songs given below.

 There is a mountain for away.

 And on the mountain stands a tree.

 And on the tree there is a branch.

 And on the branch there is a nest.

 And in the nest there is an egg.

 And in the egg there is a bird

 One day the bird will fly.

 One day we will be free.Discuss with your teacher and classmates regarding the changes seen in 

the underlined words. Find the reasons behind the changes.

 • a mountain – the mountain

 • a tree – the tree

 • a branch – the branch

 • a nest – the nest

 • an egg – the egg

 • a bird – the bird

Put ‘a/an’ or ‘the’ at proper places. Put a cross (X) where no article is 

applicable.

 1. Ravi walked up to Principal’s cabin. 

 2. Ahmed lives in small town

 3. Can I use your cell phone ?

 4. Who’s woman in your office ?

 5. I need English-Marathi dictionary.

(A5) (i) Imagine that you are one of the soldiers from 18 Grenadiers on the mission 

Tiger Hill. Narrate your experience of the war to your friend.

(ii) Would you like to join Indian Army/Navy/ Air force? If not, suggest other 

ways in which you could serve your nation.

(iii) Report writing

Report

Analysis of 

facts

Unbiased

 information

Passive voice

Indirect speech

Past tense

Factual

Be brief

Study the web diagram and write the characteristics of report writing.

Purpose of Report Writing-

 • To provide unbiased information based on reality

 • To give analysis of the facts

 • To make recommendations, if any and if expected. (as in business reports.)

Types of Reports-

 • Business Report • Factual ReportFormat of a Report-

 • Headline

 • Name of the reporter

 • Dateline (date and place)

 • Opening paragraph (Lead or Intro- Who, when, what, where)

 • Detailed paragraphs (Why and how.)

 • Conclusion/suggestions if any

 • Report should be written in the box.

(a) You are Sharad Mathur, the General Secretary of the Sports Club of your 

college. Write a brief report of the Annual Sports activities for the college 

magazine.

(b) Your school organised 'Van Mahotsav Day' recently. Write in about 100 to 150 

words a report to be published in the school magazine.

(c) You are the secretary of the NSS unit of your college. Write a brief report 

of the Blood Donation Camp arranged by your unit.

A specimen report is given for you:CULTURAL FEST 2014

-Tejal Patil

(Students Reporter)

24 December 2014

A fabulous and memorable cultural fest was organised by Adarsh College, 

Koregaon, Dist- Akola on 24th December 2014. The mega event of Adarshotsav was 

held in the college premises - The indoor events in the auditorium and the outdoor 

events in the college playground.

The grand show commenced by the arrival of participant teams from many 

colleges in the vicinity. Dr. P.S. Shinde, the Principal of Adarsh College inaugurated 

the festival events by lighting the lamp. Students participated enthusiastically in 

different competitions such as Melody Makers (Singing), Dancing Bells (Dance), 

Mimicry, mono- acting, skits, Khana Khajana (cooking), Mehandi, Nail Art, Hair 

Dressing, T –shirt Painting, Poster Making, Rangoli and many other events.

The grand finale of Adarshotsav was graced by the dignified presence of the 

well-known film director Shri. Pranav Palave. He enthralled the audience by his 

inspirational speech describing his college days.

The event was concluded by a sincere Vote of Thanks expressed by Dr. Chhaya 

Malhotra, the Professor-in-chage of Adarshotsav.