Chapter 255: Battle of Ladakh part -13
Next day Morning, Southern Frontier of the Pass
Bheem and his men arrived on horseback at the vantage point, overlooking the charred ruins of the once-formidable citadel. It was the first stronghold his forces had conquered, granting them passage to infiltrate the enemy base.
They had already received intelligence from their scouts that the enemy had evacuated the entire site during the night. Now, they had come to verify it for themselves.
Smoke still billowed from the countless enemy tents reduced to ash, stretching far into the horizon. The acrid scent of burnt wood and fabric lingered in the air.
Behind him, Colonel Manish and two Faujdars from the cavalry unit of the royal guards followed in re lmeasured steps. Alongside them rode King Dravya and his elite warriors, their presence reinforcing the growing strength of the allied forces.
Bheem scanned the battlefield, his sharp eyes tracing the remnants of the enemy’s hasty retreat. Though this was his first time witnessing the aftermath of such an operation, even he could tell how well-entrenched the enemy had been just a night before. Now, only smoldering remains whispered the story of a battle that never came to be.
He cursed under his breath. "Damn. They used those suicidal assaults to blind us while they slipped away right under our noses."
"More like a forced sabotage operation, "King Dravya, joined in as he watched the same scene with a calculating gaze.
After a while he continued with quiet chuckle. "Isn’t it for the best? We’ve taken control of this pass without further bloodshed. Now, we can regroup with our allies and plan our next move."
Bheem exhaled sharply. He could understand the logic in Dravya’s words, but the outcome left him unsatisfied. He had meticulously planned for this assault and was eager for the rush of battle, only to be robbed of the opportunity.
The enemy’s sabotage had only served as a distraction—a deception he should have anticipated. Instead, they had used the chaos as a cover to withdraw, slipping through the darkness like ghosts. A hidden sense of failure gnawed at him.
He turned to Colonel Manish, the seasoned veteran whose experience far surpassed his own. "What do you think, Colonel? Why would they abandon such a strategic position in haste? And more importantly, is this outcome good or bad for us?"