TRIBUTE TO THE PIONEERS
This is the story of those intrepid souls who braved the icy coldness, lack of oxygen, and the devilish weather of Khunjrab heard the Mllifluous Raps of Spades in the first road construction battalion on 8 july 1966. 101 Road Construction Battalion was raised to undertake the construction of kkh from Khunjrab pass to Khunjrab top. It was comprising 1500 officers and men with LT COL M.Z. Kidwai as its first commanding officer. Men of KKH from Khunjrab pass to Khunjrab top they were issued Chinese uniform and equipment. They were transported to construct a road from Khunjrab top to the Chinese and Pakistan road construction teams gathered together on 8th july 1966 and commenced construction of a road that would be ultimately acclaimed as the eighth wonder of the world. The Chinese road builders started from Khunjrab top towards the Chinese province of Xinjiang whereas Pakistanis moved in towards their territory following the general direction of river Khunjrab. It was the first time in the history of Pakistan army that the unit had donned Chinese uniform while they worked on a project. In a highly motivating vien the unit decided to do away with the badges of ranks. All ranks worked without badges of ranks suffering the vagaries of freakish weather with a stoic determination. The oxygen less thin air and blood curdling winds made even a small exertion a fatiguing experience. The Khunjrabees nevertheless trudged along merrily hacking a track in the somber mountain fastness for the glory of the nation. The temperatures which even in July/August plummeted to -30°c during night failed to freeze the gusto of Khunjrabees. The bone chilling winds, lack of oxygen, and sudden drop of temperatures tested the endurance of men and machines both. The men worked in extremely spartan and frugal conditions.
First working season in 1966 without any postage or telegraphic link with the home. The fact that they were in competition with the Chinese kept their hearts on fire. The Chinese road builders had planned closing of their camp in view of approaching winters but there were no such plans for Pakistanis. Prominently the c in c air marshal nur Khan arrived at Khunjrab top while conducting the test flight of a new helicopter. He was highly impressed by the performance of 101 rcb and conveyed the same to president Ayub Khan. It was thus that the achievements of 101 rcb were forgotten forgone were recognized at the highest level. The unit's efforts were eulogised and it was told to close its camp and move on foot towards home. The unit closed its camp in winter and marched on foot carrying all their belongings on person to passu the unit returned in the next working season in 1967 and again started threading a promenade to the accompaniment of musical whir of earthmoving machines and the staccato beat of picks and shovels. 101 rcb completed a stretch of 13 kilometers length and 4 metres width in two working seasons over altitudes ranging between 13000 to 15000 feet. the track was capable of taking heavy vehicular traffic at a speed of 30 mph. This humble beginning was the first successful step of a long odyssey of road construction by chinese and pakistani road builders which finally culminated in 1978 in the shape of Karakorum highway. The eighth wonder of the world. The CGS Pak Army visited the unit at khunjrab in 1967 best echoed the sentiments of a grateful nation in the following words:
"We are proud of you. your sons and grandsons will remember you. You have done the most wonderful job in the history...
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