The designated role of an engineer regiment is to further the commander’s plans by providing mobility to own forces by constructing bridges, tracks, helipads and breaching minefields; while denying the same to the enemy by creating obstacles such as laying mine-fields and demolition of bridges. However, the ground situation is entirely different. Engineer regiments are regularly called upon to undertake tasks that can only be termed as unusual. 113 Engineer Regiment was raised in Nagaland on 01 Apr 1967. In addition to taking part in counter-insurgency operations and Indo-Pak War 1971, the regiment has earned laurels in a multitude of aid to civil authority tasks. However, what sets this regiment apart are two unique achievements – sinking two deep shafts in Pokhran that facilitated India’s entry into the exclusive thermo-nuclear club and provision of combat engineering support to operations in Siachen glacier with innovative expedients. This book is a chronicle of the indomitable spirit, tenacity and ingenuity of the one and only 113 Engineer Regiment. Content Preface and Acknowledgements Part - 1 Early Years and Earning Spurs 1. Birth Pangs and the Early Years 3 2. Coming of Age and Earning Spurs 12 Part - 2 In the Deep Shafts of Pokhran 1. Regiment Gets the Assignment 2. Selecting Sites for the Shafts 3. Coming to Grips with the Task 4. Battling the Water Woes 5. Secrecy, Security and Safety 6. Full Steam Ahead and the Endless Wait 7. Post Script 8. ‘We Did It’ Part - 3 On the Lofty Heights of Siachen 1. Siachen Beckons 2. Combat Engineer Support in the Glacial Terrain 3. Improving Habitat and Survivability 4. Facilitating Surface Movement 5. In Support of Helicopter Operations 6. Furthering Combat Effectiveness 7. Post Script 8. Siachen Sappers: 1988-90 Epilogue