Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale SM

Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale hailing from Uttarakhand was driven by an unwavering passion for serving the nation, which led him to join the Indian Army after completing his early education. He was recruited into the 5/1 GR Battalion of the 1 Gorkha Rifles, an esteemed infantry regiment renowned for its fearless soldiers and distinguished battle history. From the outset of his career, he found himself engaged in intense military operations, where his exceptional skills and dedication quickly set him apart. Recognizing his outstanding performance, the Army repeatedly posted him to the prestigious High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS) in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. HAWS, one of the world’s premier institutions for mountain warfare training, plays a critical role in preparing soldiers for high-altitude combat and survival in extreme conditions.

At HAWS, Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale was entrusted with the crucial task of training soldiers in high-altitude warfare, avalanche rescue techniques, and combat operations in treacherous terrains. By 2023, he had amassed extensive experience, having served in various challenging operational environments. His expertise in counter-insurgency operations, high-altitude warfare, and mountaineering expeditions cemented his reputation as a fearless and highly skilled soldier. Beyond his military career, Hav Thakur Bahadur Ale was an avid mountaineer, excelling in national-level Skiing and Snowboarding Competitions, where he won two Gold Medals, one Silver Medal, and two Bronze Medals.

Operational Climbing Training(Ladakh) : 01-08 Oct 2023

In October 2023, Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale was serving at the prestigious High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS), where he demonstrated exceptional mountaineering expertise, extreme physical endurance, and unwavering courage. His role was instrumental in shaping and preparing the Indian Army's elite mountain warfare troops for high-altitude operations. On October 1, 2023, Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale joined a 38-member high-altitude expedition team on a mission to summit Mount Kun (7,077 meters) in Ladakh. The challenging expedition aimed to reach the peak by October 13, testing the team’s endurance against unpredictable weather, extreme cold, and treacherous glaciated terrain. As the Lead Climber, he played a pivotal role in guiding the team through steep, avalanche-prone slopes, ensuring their safety with his extraordinary expertise and fearless leadership. Under his command, the team successfully fixed over 2,000 meters of rope on some of the most perilous sections of the climb, battling sub-zero temperatures, deep crevasses, and constant avalanche threats.

On October 8, 2023, tragedy struck. As Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale and his team meticulously ascended an 85-degree slope, a massive slab avalanche broke loose, engulfing the climbers and sweeping them into a deep crevasse. In a heroic display of selflessness and commitment to duty, he made the ultimate sacrifice, upholding the highest traditions of the Indian Army. A desperate rescue operation was launched immediately. While the mortal remains of Lance Naik Stanzin Targais were recovered, Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale, along with Hav Rohit Kumar (Dogra Scouts) and Naik Gautam Rajbanshi (Assam Regiment), remained buried beneath tons of snow and ice. Refusing to abandon their fallen comrades, HAWS launched a meticulously planned recovery mission, Operation RTG (named after Rohit, Thakur, and Gautam), on June 18, 2024. The mission comprised 88 expert mountaineers, determined to bring their fallen brothers home.

A roadhead camp was established 40 km from Khumbathang, stocked with specialized mountaineering and rescue equipment, survival kits, special clothing, and medical aid. Two helicopters were placed on standby for emergency evacuation and transportation of the recovered remains. At an altitude of 14,790 feet, a base camp was set up 13 km from the roadhead, with Maj Gen Bruce Fernandez, Commandant of HAWS, personally overseeing the rescue efforts. The incident site, located 3 km from the base camp, posed extreme risks due to unstable snow formations and harsh weather conditions. However, the determined rescue team pressed on, carefully excavating the frozen terrain in their relentless pursuit to retrieve their fallen comrades. After nearly nine months, the first breakthrough came on July 4, 2024, when the mortal remains of Hav Rohit Kumar were discovered beneath 30 feet of snow and ice inside the crevasse. Three days later, on July 7, 2024, after descending another 10 feet, the team successfully recovered the mortal remains of Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale. Finally, on July 8, 2024, after an arduous and emotional search, the mortal remains of Naik Gautam Rajbanshi were located, bringing the mission to a solemn yet victorious conclusion.

A true 'Mountain Warrior,' Hav Thakur Bahadur Ale led from the front, ensuring that his team had the safest possible route to the summit, even at the cost of his own life. In recognition of his valour, exceptional commitment, and ultimate sacrifice, Hav Thakur Bahadur Ale was posthumously awarded the prestigious “Sena Medal” on January 26, 2025. 

Havildar Thakur Bahadur Ale is survived by his parents, wife, daughter, and son.