Anonymous hero Narendra 'Bull' Kumar, who gave Siachen to India, dies

New delhi date. 31 December 2020, Thursday

After a major conflict in 1984, the Indian Army defeated Pakistan and captured Siachen. The important role played by the anonymous hero in giving this glacier to India was Colonel Narendra 'Bull' Kumar. He breathed his last at the RR Hospital in Delhi today.

Colonel Narendra Kumar's Siachen Fateh is said to have been shown to him by a German mountaineer in the late 70's with a map of northern Kashmir somewhere north of the Indo-Pakistani armistice he had hoped for. In this map, most of the eastern Karakoram, including the Siachen Glacier, was ceded to Pakistan. Colonel Bull Kumar sent the map to his office. Following Colonel Kumar's instructions, the Army launched 'Operation Meghdoot' in 1984 and captured key locations, including the Saltoro Range.

There is an interesting incident behind the name of Colonel Narendra Kumar, popularly known as 'Bull Kumar' in the world of Indian Army. The nickname of the English word 'bull' was associated with the name of Colonel Narendra Kumar when he fought like an ox with a rival 6 inches taller and bigger than himself in his first boxing match at the National Defense Academy. In this boxing match, Narendra Kumar lost to his opponent and senior Sunith Francis Podriguez but won the hearts of the people. After which the nickname Bull always stuck with him.

Colonel Narendra Kumar, popularly known as Bull Kumar in the Army, was the Principal of the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute for three years and then from 1971 to 1977 he was the Principal of the National Ski School at Gulmarg Kashmir.