World's Highest Battlefield | From the Eyes of a Young Indian Army Lieutenant

In this gripping podcast episode, Capt Kaustubh Rana (Retd) recounts his first mission at Bana Post, the world’s highest battlefield. Stationed in the treacherous Siachen Glacier, he shares the rigors of his 90-day deployment, from the grueling 11-day march to reach the post, to battling the harsh realities of high-altitude survival. The journey begins with pre-induction training at the Siachen base camp, where he learned essential ice craft and mountaineering skills to navigate the glacier’s perilous terrain. Capt Rana talks abut the immense challenges of glacier warfare. Walking across snow-covered crevasses with his team, staying connected by rope for safety, he details how soldiers battle avalanches, extreme cold, and frostbite. At over 20,000 feet, where oxygen levels plummet, each day becomes a fight to stay operationally ready while ensuring the safety of his men. With survival at stake, every action demands precision and discipline. Beyond the physical hardships, Captain Kaustubh Rana reflects on the legacy of Bana Post, named after Honorary Captain Bana Singh, a Param Vir Chakra recipient. The post holds historical significance from Operation Rajiv, where Singh’s team captured a crucial enemy post in 1987. Through these reflections, we gain insight into the profound sense of duty and camaraderie that keeps soldiers grounded as they protect the nation from this icy frontier.