The High Altitude Warfare School was established in the year
1948 in the month of December by the then Brigadier, General Kodendera Subayya
Thimayya. Initially it was set up as a
ski school located in Gulmarg, Kashmir. In the year 1962, the school was renamed
to its current name.The High Altitude Warfare School provides the best training
to the Indian Jawaans so that they can survive with more ease at Siachen.
There are two types of training programmes being offered to
the trainees at this school. First is the Mountain Warfare Course which begins
in the month of May and lasts till October each year. It is held in Sonamarg. Second training programme offered by the High Altitude
Warfare School is Winter Warfare Course. The course is conducted in the month
of January to April and is held in Gulmarg itself.
All the Army Personnel who have been appointed at the
Siachen border or any other high posts have to undergo these two training
programmes. The training begins early in the morning with the trainees
being made to run by carrying a weight of approximately 15 kg.
The instructors present this school are very dedicated
towards their work and thus, do not tolerate any kind of negligence on the part
of the trainees towards their work. There are around 50 instructors at the High
Altitude Warfare School, Gulmarg. Although batches of students come and go the instructors
continue to provide their services at least for a period of two years.
