Military leader's enigmatic connection with the sacred shrine, hinted by cryptic predictions
A soldier from the Indian Army, Baba Harbhajan Singh, once served by the Nathu La Pass in the high Himalayas, a strategically significant yet enigmatic region. The story of Baba Harbhajan Singh, a member of the 23rd Punjab Regiment, transcends the boundaries of ordinary military narratives and has been passed down as folklore amongst troops.
In May 1993, Lt Gen Jameel Mahmood, the then GOC-in-C, Eastern Command, visited the 33 Corps zone in Sikkim. As tradition dictated, General Mahmood, along with other senior officers, intended to pay homage at the shrine of Baba Harbhajan Singh at Nathu La. However, due to a time crunch, he opted to delay this visit.
Unforeseen circumstances, though, prevented his return journey. Bad weather halted helicopter clearance, and officers suggested that the delay might be a sign to visit the Baba's shrine. However, the General, known for his professionalism, declined the suggestion, asserting he was not superstitious. He chose to travel by road instead, but his convoy was halted following a minor vehicle mishap, prompting another opportunity to visit the shrine. The General refused, reiterating his prior excuse.
In the end, despite the weather conditions, a helicopter took off from Gangtok, transporting General Mahmood and his wife. Tragically, on May 7, 1993, the Mi-8 helicopter crashed near Paro, Bhutan, leaving no survivors. A Court of Inquiry reported a sudden loss of power but was unable to identify the precise cause.
The General's demise, however, did not dim the story of Baba Harbhajan Singh. Believed by soldiers to appear in dreams and offer cautionary advice on enemy plans, Baba Harbhajan Singh holds a unique status as a guardian saint. His uniform is maintained daily, and each year on September 11, his belongings are sent back to his village in Punjab with the utmost respect. A designated seat is even reserved for him on the train. Soldiers stationed near Nathu La support his family out of reverence.
The tale of Baba Harbhajan Singh is not solely about superstition or fate. Instead, it encapsulates the delicate balance between discipline and belief, between military precision and human intuition in the Indian Army. While the profession mostly thrives on meticulous planning, there are moments that defy logic and provoke thoughtful reflection.
These stories, surviving and evolving beyond their initial telling, are woven into the fabric of a place. They resonate in mess halls, echoing through generations, and serve not as warnings but as reminders of the undying spirit that protects soldiers in the harsh and hazardous realm of the Himalayas.
- The weather conditions during General Mahmood's visit to the Indian Army's 33 Corps zone in Sikkim were unpredictable, halting helicopter clearance.
- General Mahmood's unfortunate demise in a helicopter crash near Paro, Bhutan, on May 7, 1993, did not diminish the folklore surrounding Baba Harbhajan Singh.
- The unique status of Baba Harbhajan Singh as a guardian saint is not just associated with superstition; it also symbolizes the delicate balance between military precision and human intuition in the Indian Army.
- Stories like Baba Harbhajan Singh's, passed down amongst troops, are not just warnings but reminders of the undying spirit that protects soldiers in the harsh and hazardous realm of the Himalayas.
