OP Baba Shrine: The Soldier Who Guards Even After Death

There are so many professions — doctor, engineer, lawyer and so on! But have you ever seen parents proudly say, "Mera beta soldier banega!" the same way they do for engineers? Not very often, right? Because being a soldier isn't just a career choice. It’s something bigger. And sometimes, being a soldier isn't just about fighting for your country till your death — sometimes, it's about standing guard even after you're gone.

Somewhere in the freezing madness of Siachen, there’s a small shrine — OP Baba shrine. It’s not a fancy place. No shiny marble, no big statues. Just a simple spot where every soldier stops before heading further up into the glacier. They bow their heads, whisper a prayer, and move forward with a little extra courage in their hearts. Around here, people say that training and gear are fine, but in Siachen, you also need OP Baba's blessing.

Who exactly was OP Baba? What’s his story? Why do soldiers worship OP Baba? Let’s dive into how a soldier continues to serve, even in the afterlife.

Suggested Read: Baba Harbhajan Singh Temple: Story of Patriotic Ghost Soldier

Who Was OP Baba?

Back in the late 1980s, a soldier named Om Prakash was posted at the challenging heights of the Siachen Glacier. One day, while on patrol at Malaun Post in the Bila Complex, he faced an enemy attack. Despite being alone, he managed to push them back — something not many could have pulled off in such tough conditions.

But after that day, Om Prakash never returned. No one knows exactly what happened — whether it was the extreme weather, the terrain, or something else. His body was never found, and only stories remained.

History of OP Baba Shrine Ladakh