Lance Havildar Mallayya

L Hav Mallayya’s unit, the 315 Field Regiment under the command of Col NA Subramanian was the first artillery unit to be deployed in Drass in the initial phase of the Kargil war on 14 May 1999. The very first day when the regiment arrived at the base camp in Drass, they were heavily fired upon. Even though they were unaware of the enemy’s position they fought bravely and retaliated the attack. During that period L Hav Mallayya’s 315 field regiment, was responsible for supporting operations for 1 Naga, 8 Sikh, 17 Jat, and 16 Grenadiers regiments who finally went on to capture Tololing, Point 5140, Black Tooth, Tiger Hill, Point 4875 (Gun Hill), in the Drass – Mushkoh Valley from the intruders. The period between the 14th to 31st of May was the toughest one for the unit as they had to fire at one position and quickly move on to another location to avoid detection continuously. With the responsibility of infantry units on their shoulders, 315 Field Regiment often faced two choices at night —Either they could stop firing and wait till morning or they could keep firing to protect the infantry units. 315 Field Regiment chose the latter and provided a continuous shield to the infantry units.