Grenadier Muhammad Ishtiaq Khan

Grenadier Muhammad Ishtiaq Khan was born on 10th February 1980 in Fakhanpura village of Ghazipur district in Uttar Pradesh. He joined the army after completing his initial education on 02 November 1996 at the age of 16 years. He was inducted into 22 Grenadiers Battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its valiant soldiers and various battle honours. After serving for some time, he got married to Ms Rashida Begum on 10th April 1999. However, within a few days of his wedding, his unit was put on high alert and he had to rush back to join his unit. 

Khalubar Operation (Op Vijay): 01-03 July 1999

During June-July 1999, Gdr Muhammad Ishtiaq Khan's unit was deployed in the Batalik sector of Ladakh and was part of "Operation Vijay". The unit was functioning under the command of the 70 Infantry Brigade with the overall control being with the 3 Infantry Division. By early May 1999, Pakistani forces had intruded well across the LOC, in the Mushkoh, Dras, Kaksar, and Batalik sectors. The extent of penetration across the LOC varied from 4 to 8 km in each sector. The intrusions in Batalik -Yaldor area were first detected in the first week of May 1999. In many vital points, neither artillery nor air power could dislodge the enemy forces, who were not in visible range. On discerning the layout of ground and enemy intrusions, it was decided to first drive a wedge in the enemy intrusion area by opening a corridor to the LOC through the Junk Lungpa and thereafter tackle each area piecemeal. This task was given to 12 JAK LI along with 10 Para(SF) and a company of Ladakh Scouts and was completed by 03 June 1999. However, the enemy continued to occupy the ridges to the West, East, and North. Having secured the corridor through the Junk Langpa, it was decided to capture the other ridges one by one. The enemy's main intrusions and defences were on the Khalubar-Padma Go Ridgeline.  Gdr Mohd Ishtiaq Khan 's unit 22 Grenadiers was tasked to launch an assault operation in this area.

Khalubar-Padma Go Ridge comprised the features of Pt 4812, Khalubar, Pt 5287, Pt 5000and Stangba. 70 Infantry Brigade decided to use the elements of 22 Grenadiers, 12 JAK LI, 1/11 GR, and Ladakh Scouts to capture these features. 22 Grenadiers were tasked to capture Khalubar and Pt 5287 complex. These were the most formidable defences of the enemy and were very challenging to capture. The attack commenced on the night of 30 June/01 July. Gdr Muhammad Ishtiaq Khan and his comrades led by Major Ajit Singh Shekhawat, managed to reach the objective but were counter-attacked by the enemy resulting in fierce fighting. Heavily outnumbered, the Grenadiers fought continuously for three nights inching forward, unmindful of the numerous losses. Pakistanis became impatient over the Gdr Muhammad Ishtiaq Khan and his comrades' resilience and asked their artillery to redouble the barrage. The fighting continued at an elevation of thousands of feet, amidst heavily fortified bunkers equipped with artillery and automatic weapons.

However, during the exchange of fire, Gdr Mohd Ishtiaq Khan got severely injured and soon succumbed to his injuries on 03 July 1999. The troops of 1/11 GR too joined the battle of Khalubar later and eventually, it was captured. Gdr Muhammad Ishtiaq Khan and the other soldiers of 22 Grenadiers played a significant role in this battle for the capture of Khalubar and Pt 5287 complex. Besides Gdr Muhammad Ishtiaq Khan the other martyred brave hearts of 22 Grenadiers during the operation included CQMH Amruddin, Hav Raj Kumar, Hav Lekh Ram, Nk Ahmed Ali Mewati, Nk Abid Khan SM, Nk Riasat Ali, Nk Niraj Kumar, Gdr Zakir Husain, Gdr Rizwan Tyagi, Gdr Zubair Ahmad, Gdr Hasan Muhammad, Gdr Arvindra Singh, Gdr JP Singh Yadav and Gdr Hassan Ali Khan. Gdr Muhammad Ishtiaq Khan was a brave and dedicated soldier, who laid down his life at the age of 19 years in the line of his duty. 

Grenadier Muhammad Ishtiaq Khan is survived by his wife Smt Rashida Begum.