Page 192 - Leadership in the Indian Army

due to disagreement on the alignment of the Line of Control. Talks had been
going on between both countries for over four months, to delineate the Line
of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. There was a deadlock due to conflicting

claims of both sides over certain key areas, including the village of Thako
Chak near Jammu and certain features in Kaiyan, across the Tutmari Gali in
Kashmir. The enclave of Thako Chak in the Chicken’s Neck had been
occupied by Pakistan during the war. In the Kaiyan Bowl, a large area had
been captured by an overenthusiastic company of 9 Sikh, which was part of
19 Infantry Division. However, a small hillock that had been reported as
captured was discovered to be still held by the enemy when ceasefire was

declared. The anomaly was discovered several months later, during the
delineation talks being held at Wagah. To retrieve the situation, the
divisional commander decided to capture the feature. The strength on the
feature was not correctly assessed, and the attack launched in May 1972
failed, with heavy casulaties.
To resolve the issue, Sam flew down to Lahore, and had two meetings

with his counterpart General Tikka Khan, on 28 November and 7
December. Though Indira Gandhi had authorised him to give up Thako
Chak to break the deadlock, Sam was not one to give up so easily. Finally,
he managed to get back Thako Chak, in return for some territory in Kaiyan
that was not as valuable. The withdrawal of troops commenced soon
afterwards, and was completed by 20 December 1972.
Like Thimayya, Sam was very popular with the troops, who literally

adored him. When visiting the messes of JCOs and OR, he always drank
rum instead of whisky or beer, which are normally served in officers
messes. His behaviour and conduct with his orderlies and domestic staff
was particularly informal. One day, just as he was about to leave Army
House for his office, he was told that an old woman wanted to meet him.
Coming out, he found it was the widow of Sher Singh, his old Sikh orderly

from 4/12 FFR who had saved his life. Sam made her sit in his car and took
her along to South Block. Taking her to his office, he made her sit down,
and asked for some tea. He chatted with her for an hour, keeping several
senior officers waiting outside. Finally, he asked his ADC to take her in his
car and drop her at the railway station where she had to catch a train. As the
old lady left, she said, ‘ Main dua karti thi ki Rab tujhe Jangi Laat bana de.
Ab main chain se marungi. ’ (I used to pray to God to make you the

Commander-in-Chief. Now I can die in peace.)