Mushkoh

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

Kargil district map

Map of Kargil War areas

Mushkoh (मश्कोह) is a valley situated in Dras tahsil in the Kargil district of union territory Ladakh. Also known as valley of wild tulips, which are a major attraction for tourists but it's yet to explore.

Variations

Location

The Mushkoh Valley is situated at an elevation of around 3,400 metres (11,000 ft), and is located just eight kilometres away from the main market in Dras. It is located within the Indian-administered union territory of Ladakh. The Mushkoh Valley is situated at the westernmost extremity of Ladakh, to the west of which lies the northern reaches of the Kashmir Valley, located in the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

History

Widely considered to be glaciated and unsuitable for human habitation, it came into prominence during the Kargil War in 1999, when Pakistani forces crossed the Line of Control and took up positions in the region.

The valley is nestled within Dras—the second-coldest inhabited place in the world. Dras, which is located approximately 141 kilometres from Srinagar, is also called 'The Gateway to Ladakh'.

It has a population settled in a highland village surrounded by the mountains and meadow on all sides. The village has a breathtaking landscape as Dras River also flows through it. From Mushkoh, one can also trek to Tilail in Gurez (Bandipore) in few days which passes through many meadows. The meadows are dotted with different varieties of flowers. The mountain slopes in the Mushkoh Valley are filled with flowers giving the village a breathtaking beauty. The villagers are mostly involved in farming and sheep rearing.^[1]

Jat History

Digendra Kumar

Naik Digendra Kumar (Paraswal), born 3 July 1969, is recipient of Maha Vir Chakra, Sena Medal and many other medals of bravery. He was the Best Commando of the Indian Army. Nation's second highest wartime gallantry award Maha Vir Chakra was awarded to Naik Digendra Kumar on 15th August 1999 for his acts of bravery in Kargil War in recapturing Tololing hill in Mushkoh Valley on 13 June 1999. He retired from the Indian Army on 31 July 2005.

Shish Ram Gill

Shish Ram Gill (Hawaldar) (16.07.1961 - 09.07.1999), Vir Chakra, is a Martyr of Kargil War from Rajasthan. He became martyr in Mushkoh valley during Kargil War on 9 July 1999. He was from village Vishanpura (Brahman ki dhani) in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. He was in 8th Jat Regiment of the Indian Army.

Randhir Singh Kalher (Subedar), Vir Chakra , (b. 15 July 1955, d. 3 June 1999) of Balkara village near Charkhi Dadri, Bhiwani district in Haryana, won the Vir Chakra award in Kargil war. His father's name is Sh Sri Chand. A middle school is named Martyr Subedar Randhir Singh middle school Balkara. He was in 18 Grenadier Regiment. He was born in a Hindu Jat family of Kalher gotra. He became martyr in Mushkoh Valley on 3 June 1999 during Kargil War.