First of the Chinese soldiers to die didn't even know what killed them as a salvo of three rockets fired from first chopper landed smack in between them as they stood on ledge trying to keep the rope-way stable.
The explosions blew them away to pieces and broke the ropes on which two other soldiers were trying to cross over. Both fell in to the icy glacial river and drowned within a minute. Rest of their companions fared only marginally better. A couple of them managed to pull up their guns to eye level but that was the most that they could do. Another salvo of rockets, this time fired from second chopper obliterated the confused group before they could gather any idea of what was going on. Only two Chinese soldiers survived the carnage. They were cut down by canon fire immediately after.
By picking a place and time favouring them, Indian chopper pilots had executed the ambush flawlessly. Chinese MANPADS crew had no chance of acquiring the helicopters and firing off any missile before being annihilated.
The incident didn't go unnoticed on either side which were already rushing reinforcements in to the battle. But the two LCH didn't stay to check as they turned back to their base at maximum speed.
Flames And Arrows Page 50
