COMBATTING TERROR OF THE 'RED BRIGADE -PART TWO

" Violence will only bring greater miseries to common people. We have to counter this (Maoist/Naxalite) threat with determination. But while violence can not be tolerated, tribals must be the primary beneficiaries of the development process.-------------But No sustained(development) is possible under the shadow of the gun.Nor have those who claim to speak for the Tribals have offered an alternative economic or social path that is viable----------------" Dr. Man Mohan Singh, Prime Minister Of India, while inaugurating conference of Chief Ministers and state ministers of tribal affairs on the implementation of 'Forest Rights Act 2006' as reported in The Tribune, dated November 05, 2009.

It is undoubtedly true that any movement supported by the people has their genuine concerns, which had remained unattended and uncared for a considerable period of time by the 'powers that be'.The real causes have been rightly observed and listed by Mr.Ashok Sahu, as brought out in Part One. Therefore, I do believe that Naxalites/Maoist movement is a result of consistent neglect and exploitation of the poor people which includes socially downtrodden, tribal and the farmers. While their land and forest wealth is being exploited, they have not been adequately compensated for in terms of development, health care, basic social amenities and employment opportunities.

This needs attention of the State and Central Governments. I won't like to dwell much on this as there were many qualified people to work out a blue print for the betterment of the lives of affected people in the Naxalite infected areas. Dr Man Mohan Singh, as quoted above, has clearly revealed two-pronged government policy to deal with Naxalites/Maoists menace. Development and growth with sincerity would be the biggest disincentive for the locals to not only not to support the Maoists but also not to provide easy recruits to be used as canon-fodder against security forces by the Maoists.

I would like to devote more time to military strategy to combat Maoists/Naxalites. In modern military parlance this kind of warfare has been named as SUB-CONVENTIONAL WARFARE or even FOURTH GENERATION WARFARE. But come what may, I would prefer to call it as 'War by Other Means' (WOM) . This appropriately describes the conditions we are facing. Indian Maoists have suddenly become very active after the success of Maoists of Nepal. There is no denying the fact that they have chosen to confront the nation with active assistance from China. Even home secretary, Mr. GK Pillai, confirmed this in his media conference on November 08, 2009, when he returned from Nepal. So, we are in a state of war thrust upon us. Dr Man Mohan Singh has rightly pointed out that no sustained development activity can take place as long as there was fear of the gun. It must be silenced or neutralized to usher the age of growth and development. One can not say, "What First". Both must start concurrently. But operations by Security forces have to be extensive and all-encompassing to allow foot hold for growth and development.

I always hold a view and very passionately that the best medicine for 'terrorism' was 'terrorism'. Put the fear of God in the Terrorists. Siege the initiative and let them be hunted and be on the run. They are rats when death haunts them. Yea, you heard me right because in most cases, the game of terrorism does not provide a leveled playing field for the security forces. A lot of restrictions are laid by the authorities to conduct operations. Such provisions not only prolong the ordeal but also allows militants and terrorists to regroup and reorganize. A number of outside actors , such as media, human rights organisations and local politicians have vested interests to slow down the operations. Even international pressure is built to prevent total elimination of the insurgent organisations. This is the duty of the authority who orders security forces to conduct anti-militant/anti-terrorist operations to withstand such unwanted interference. It must be recognised that, as a diversionary tactics, the militants would use such ruses to exaggerate the alleged cases of violations of human rights, molestation and rape. Government must have its own sources to verify and authenticate.

The successful conduct of anti-militancy/ insurgency operations , whether in Indian Punjab in the 90s of the last Century or Sri Lanka in the year 2008-09, bears testimony to what I have said. Even Malayan insurgency in the 50's was put down by British forces with a heavy hand. Moralistic sing-songs are unwarranted when security forces have been given a mandate to destroy the enemy. It was Beant Singh, late Chief minister of Punjab who did not dither in asking his police to cut diamond with diamond, meaning use all kinds of methods to eliminate the militant leaders. At times people call these kind of operations as illegal. It might be so but there is no alternative as long as the other side does not accept your laws. They openly challenge your constitution. It is only their front line organisations who cry aloud in the name of Human rights. President Rajpakshe of Sri Lanka rightly kept all these human rights organisations at bay and he succeeded in demolishing the invincible LTTE and its Supremo Prabhakaran.

Nation and the government must understand that as for as security forces were concerned , it would be a war against the 'enemy of the State'. There should be no cries for "Our Innocent and Misguided Boys". The person who kills his own country men most brutally and flaunts his weapons openly can not be "innocent and misguided". They say that it was war and war it should be. No half -hearted measures to be undertaken, if we recognize anti-Maoist operations as war. When the war takes place, definitely a lot of bloodshed occurs and sometimes genuine mistakes would be committed. The first principle of fighting this war successfully is to exonerate security forces of the collateral damage that would take place when they use force against the 'enemy'. The Maoists are treating it as war, why would the security forces operate with their one or two hands tied at the back. The 'Peace Brigade' of Maoists apologists in the form of their front line political organisations, Foreign- backed NGOs and their Indian beneficiaries, Human Rights Organisations and misinformed Indian legal luminaries must be kept at bay. Security forces should be allowed to legally sue journalists and media for false publication of reports of rape, molestation and extortion. Willful distortion of facts by media persons must be a non-bailable offence.

I must add here that once the problem is resolved government must provide immunity from legal harassment to officers and men on flimsy grounds. There have been cases in the past when police officers had to commit suicide. The case of Ajit Singh, a retired police officer of Punjab, comes to mind. In the heydays of militancy in Punjab, he was the hero of anti-militancy operations in Tarn Taran. This was the region where militants writ ran and it was a 'Free Zone' for them. He eliminated them with a heavy hand. But after the normalcy returned,he was so badly harassed by legal cases that he committed suicide by throwing himself before the train. One fails to see all these legal bodies and human rights organisations being active when terrorists/ militants play havoc with normal civil life. Do policemen and security forces have no human rights?. God alone, knows where had they hibernated when the JHARKHAND POLICE OFFICER was beheaded by the Maoists? I did not even hear a wimp of a whisper. Even today , a large number of army officers are hauled up by courts in Assam and Nagaland for their acts committed decades ago. This sure would discourage future combatants of terrorism/insurgency to effectively combat the terrorists. Our legal system is a big dampener on the security forces operations.

Police, all over India, has become ineffective because of such lacunae in our legal system. The cases keep lingering on for decades. Witnesses and investigating officers are eliminated or compromised. There are for too many temptations, allurements and inducements, coupled with discouragements for the police officers to let the cases procrastinate. Consequently, they adopt not only "play safe" attitude but also materialistically benefited. There is a time for the country to think about police reforms and also distinguish between Law and order and Internal security. In fact I am of the opinion that Law and Order must become part of Internal security, which must be a Central Government responsibility. The state Police ought to be invested with the responsibility of only crime investigation and law implementation. Guarding, protection and security of installations must pass on to more vibrant and all India Internal Security Force with security hub initially in each of the 233 Maoists- infected districts and then, later, all 604 districts of India. The Internal security force must be patterned on the lines of FBI of USA. It must have the mandate to act anywhere in the country, if internal security is threatened.

The military strategy and tactics against the Maoists/ Naxalites must be based on close central coordination but decentralized execution. Intelligence apparatus must be effective to provide actionable, tactical and strategic intelligence. Half the battle is won without any action if the information is precise, accurate and timely. Intelligence must be coordinated through a single agency. Too many cooks spoil the broth. There is always a human angle which runs through the contours of personal jealousy, rivalry, self-promotion and materialistic gains.

In fact intelligence operations must be as part of a 'Unified Command' for anti-militancy/insurgency operations. Unified command would include military, paramilitary, police and other governmental resources of centre and state governments. Even the agencies conducting developmental activities must be dovetailed into Unified Command. This command must be answerable to the Home Minister of India, who is responsible for the Internal security of the country. Defence Ministry be left to deal with only external threat and security.

There might be case for the resources of Defence Ministry to be dedicated to Unified Command. But once allocated, they must stay till completion of task. In any case, there is a need to cut the flab of army to make it more 'agile and smart' in view of the 'Brain force wars' or the 'Smart wars' under nuclear threat. We may find that 'foot infantry' may have a very limited role in the 'Brain Force Wars' under nuclear clouds of south Asia in 21st century. Therefore, 60-70% can be allocated to Unified command under Home Ministry. There might be resistance by the army and the Defence Ministry. But this opposition would be more of an emotional expression than any realistic appreciation of the logic. In a nuclear environs, normal infantry is a sitting duck for a 'Nuclear Hunter'. In any case, it is not being disbanded and it would be available on demand from 'Unified Command' once the need arises.

The strategy further envisages establishment of Counter-Militancy Grid (CMG) in the Maoist Infected areas.This CMG should take into account the district hubs so created. Once the CMG is created, then there will not be easy interaction between the Maoists and the local populace. This will cut down the free movement and contain the Maoists into specific areas. Once contained , they would be easily isolated, leading to their break in contact with the people and thus loss of support, too. CMG must also launch certain developmental activities to mollify the local population and thus wean them away from the Maoists and their leaders.

CMG must begin its operations at low key initially to identify the militants and gain information. It is generally seen that any insurgency has only 20-25 % hard core cadres, who are generally the leaders. 75-80 % are either wage earners for their families or they are coerced to join the militants. But the leaders, over a period of times get so much intoxicated with the powers they enjoy that they lose touch with the general public. Their contact is through these 'ERRAND BOYS' who make 75-80% of their strength. The initial operations must be aimed at creating the wedge between these two classes of militants. Break the channel and see the confusion. I had done this in Assam in 90-91 and the stampede began.

All operations must be 'small scale, target- based and unorthodox'. These three tenets are the key to successful conduct of operations. Large scale operations are predictable and cause a lot of hardships to the local people which leads to resentment against the security forces. The targets must be the Leaders and not the small time cadres and operatives. Cadres should be arrested and released and create suspicion about their future loyalty. This will create dissensions amongst the militants.

Target-based operations are akin to 'Searching a Needle in the Hay -stack'. There are two ways of doing it. One is to turn the hay stack upset down and put your men to locate it. It is time consuming , laborious and causing inconvenience to general public. The other way is to have pin-pointed information of the needle's location in the hay stack. This is what i call 'actionable intelligence. This can be only done by inculcating an insider. In other parlance, they call the insider a 'Mole'. I tried it in Assam in 90-91 and it was grossly effective. The success story of anti-terrorism and counter militancy operations in Punjab was written with the help of these moles, operated by the so called "Cat squads' or the 'missile squads'. I am convinced that the demise of LTTE in Sri Lanka was brought about by 'Col Karuna' and his men operating in LTTE. I won't be surprised if Prabhakaran was shot dead at close range by one of 'Col Karuna's' sharpshooters in LTTE.

No doubt, in their over-enthusiasm some times these cat squads of Punjab had conducted operations outside the jurisdiction of Punjab and as far as KolKotta in West Bengal. So much so that they never informed the local police, fearing that the information might be leaked out to target. Policemen know better their colleagues of whichever state. But, they did neutralize the leaders on the run. In one of my operations in Assam against ULFA, my lead had gone right up to Lucknow. But we handed over the further operations to higher headquarters, who, then successfully busted the gun supplying racket through railway parcels.

The creation of 'mole' is not a one day affair. It is a matter of creating faith in the intended person and it takes time. You have to ensure that the person is made the most wanted man in your list. you have to plant this information through word of mouth and whisper. Sometimes, deliberate operations might be carried out against his family to show them being harassed.Counter-militancy is a game of 'wits and brain' and not of force and brawn'.

Finally, to conclude I must say that the strategy must be evolved to recognize the dimension of the problem, identify the actors, and then contain, isolate,neutralize and rehabilitate along with economic development of the region to remove the legitimate grievances of the people. It is going to be a long drawn out battle. Let there be 'NO OBAMA' amongst our leaders crying for an 'Exit-Policy'. There would be lot of interference by visible and invisible organisations both Indian and foreign, to stall the security forces operations. The government of the day must stand up to it. Foreign-funding and aid must be choked at the recognized entry points. The internal security system needs to have a broader umbrella of dedicated force with its district-level hubs. We can not view law and order problems in isolation. In fact, the trouble in Nandi gram and Singur, from where TATA was booted out, needs also to be viewed as part of Internal security operations. More recent case of Lal Garh adds testimony to this proposal. Army may have to shed its flab to become a 'smart army for smart wars'. its flab would do more active and constructive role in internal security. The legal system needs to be reformed and police must be revamped. I have talked about certain kind of tactics too. it is for those who have to rough it out in the Maoist controlled territory. It would come handy to them.

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COMBATING 'TERROR OF THE RED BRIGADE' IN INDIA---PART ONE

Indian ‘Red Brigade’ is the Indian brand of ‘Taliban’. Its many factions go by different aliases and synonymous words, but the current favorite name is Maoists/Naxalites. In the modern context, they stand for ‘Insurgency, Violence, Terror and War’. In fact, they are worst than Pakistan’s Taliban because of the multi-fold threat they pose to Indian Nationhood. Indian Taliban has, lately, handed over its remote control into foreign hands. The latest upsurge in their activity is a clear cut indication of a foreign country’s desire to break up India into ‘20-30 states’. Maoists/Naxalites of India are the ‘Proxy’ soldiers of our Northern neighbor, undoubtedly.

It is truism that initial concern for the peasants, poor, down-trodden and the tribal of all revolutionaries later becomes a façade to attain personal glory and gains. Sympathy for the poor people is the mask that hides the ugly face of SATANIC AMBITIONS. The revolutionaries and their leaders as much exploit the masses as do the people they do accuse of. From Hitler to Stalin to Marshal Tito to Fidel Castro to Mao-Ze-dong to Dr Sukarno to General Suharto the script is the same and it is enacted with same gusto and spirit. This is also going to be true of all these 'Kishanjis', 'Kapeshwar Gandhis' and 'Ganpathis' who masquerade as revolutionary leaders of the Maoists/Naxalites.

History of Maoist movement is long and winding. As the name suggests ‘Maoists’ draw inspiration from late Chairman Mao-Ze-Dong of China, who believed in a ‘Violent Revolution’ to bring socio-politico change in his country. They go by the brand name of Communist party of India (Maoists), which came into existence in 2004, with the amalgamation of Maoist Coordination Centre (MCC) of Kishanji and People’s War group (PWG) of Ganpathi, the outfits functioning in Andhra Pradesh since 1975 and 1980 respectively. They had come out of Communist Party of India (Marxists-Leninists) formed in 1969.

Naxalites movement began in 1967 as a peasant movement in a small West Bengal village of Naxalbari, as a revolt against the high handedness of land lords. The revolt was led by two leaders of Communist Party of India–Marxists or CPI-(M), namely Charu Mazumdar and Kanu Sanyal. It later broke away from CPI (M) to form All India Communist Committee of Communist Revolutionaries (AICCCR) which, in 1969, turned into Communist Party of India (Marxists-Leninists) or CPI (M-L). This is the Bengal chapter of their history.

Most of the splinter groups of Naxalites/ Maoists ideologies owe their origin to CPI (M-L). In the South, we had a 'Dakshin Desh' group in the fifties of the last Century, which became Maoists Coordination Centre (MCC). As stated earlier, it later merged with the People’s War Group (PWG) to form Communist Party of India-‘Maoists’ or CPI (Maoists) on September 21, 2004. In July 2001, Maoists groups all over South Asia formed a Coordination Committee of Maoists Parties and Organizations in South Asia (CCMPOSA). The history of all these groups is well documented; I need not elaborate upon this here.

What is more important for us to know is the latest upsurge in the Maoists/Naxalites activities and their threat to Indian Nationhood. Over the last three years, since 2006, Naxalites/Maoists have killed some 2600 people including police and paramilitary force personnel in some 5800 incidents. The highest numbers of incidents of violence have taken place in the four states of Chhatisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa. Some 222 people had been killed in these four states between January 2006 to August 2009, as per the sources in the home ministry and as quoted in a news report on November 02, 2009 in ‘The Tribune’, published from Chandigarh.

The hijacking of trains, first a passenger train in Jharkhand and then more prestigious Rajdhani Express in West Bengal; beheading of a Jharkhand police officer; forcing of the West Bengal government to swap 22 Maoists for a kidnapped police officer; blowing up of a police station in Bihar; ambushing a police party in Chhatisgarh; firing on the Indian Air Force helicopter in Chhatisgarh during election duty of the Parliamentary elections in 2009 and numerous other incidents of violence which have taken place in various states in the Eastern and Central Regions of India, do give us an indication of the coming deluge of violence, chaos and disorder in the RED CORRIDOR in particular and the country as a whole. (See the map below). No doubts, Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Man Mohan Singh, rightly warned the nation that the biggest threat to Indian security emanated from Maoists and Naxalites.

MAP OF RED CORRIDOR

It has begun to expand West and Northwards. States like J&K, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan are also getting infected. Thus, virtually whole of India is in its grip.

The map would show you that entire Eastern Coast Region along the Bay of Bengal is galvanized by it. It therefore poses a serious threat to integrity and unity of India. Initially, Maoists/Naxalites movement was confined to some 5-6 states only. Till about 2007, it was supposed to have affected some 190, out of 604 districts of just about 10 states in India. But according to Mr. P Chidambaram, Home Minister of India, the menace has spread to more than 2000 police stations in 233 districts of 20 states as quoted by the news item in the above-mentioned News Paper, The Tribune, of November 2, 2009. The Naxalites menace has now contaminated some 40,000 square kilometers across the country and it is estimated some 25 Lakh people live in these areas where Maoists/Naxalites have a free run.

It is a must to understand that poverty, underdevelopment, economic exploitation and social discrimination, are some of the legitimate causes which have been the breeding grounds for this menace. Add to it the callous neglect of the administration and Governmental machinery to address the genuine problems of the people. In the news item of The Tribune, quoted above, Mr. P Chidambaram, Home Minister of India, has been quoted to say that centre and state governments had not paid attention to this issue for the last 10-13 years. Therefore, it is must to address the genuine problems of the people before we think of any solution to this menace.

Mr. Ashok Sahu, a retired IPS officer of Andhra Cadre with extensive experience in handling PWG groups, has brought out the real causes of the rise of Maoists and Naxalites, in his article “MAOIST MENACE; NAXALITE OFFENSIVE”, in South Asia Intelligence Review of October 2009. He lists the root causes as poor governance, want of social justice, lack of electoral reforms, corruption in the judiciary and bureaucracy, poor state of rural roads, absence of primary health care, education and employment opportunities. He warns that so long as the basic causes persist, the Maoists cannot be stopped from expansion in the rural areas and then forming front organizations in urban areas. The front organizations are the recruitment points for selection of their future leaders. At present, the district level guerrilla commandos and party leaders get handsome remuneration and are technologically well equipped. In their perspective plan for urban expansion, technological up-gradation and access to the mining belt and industrial towns in Orissa, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are given top priority. We need to lay stress upon these issues and apply the balm concurrently when we formulate our strategy to combat this menace.

Before we talk of a strategy, let us first understand the philosophy of Maoists/Naxalites and their stated strategy. It is a must to dispel many a wrong notions by some of our peaceniks. Let me draw your attention to Maoist leader KISHAN JI, who addressed the media the day he released Mr. Dutta, a kidnapped police officer of West Bengal. He called him a ‘PRISONER OF WAR.’ Therefore, let us be clear that Maoists think it was WAR they were fighting against the UNION of INDIA.

The constitution of India is very clear-----anyone who picks up the arms against the Indian Union----is to be treated as ENEMY. Therefore, purely in military terms, we must shed this thought of “OUR MISGUIDED INNOCENT BOYS”. They were neither innocent nor were they misguided when they raided a police station in Naugachhia in Bihar or ambushed a CRPF patrol in Chhatisgarh or even when they beheaded Jharkhand police officer. They knew what they were doing to achieve their stated aim. And one of their stated objectives is to spread terror in the areas they control by DELIBERATE ACTS of VIOLENCE.

According to Mr. Ashok Sahu, the Maoist movement did not believe in democracy. It does not accept the constitutional system and intends to establish ‘Peoples’ Republic’ through the use of extreme terror. Mr. Ashok Sahu further states that the organization believed in the ideology of ‘annihilation of class enemy”. The organization advocates a ‘Protracted People’s war’ to seize power. In a press statement on October 14, 2004, the leaders of newly formed CPI (Maoists), made it clear as to how this war is to be conducted. Mr. Ashok Sahu observes that the protracted people’s war of Maoists aims at armed seizure of power, as its central and principal task, encircling the cities from the countryside and thereby finally capturing them. Hence, the countryside as well as the Protracted People’s War will remain as the "Center of Gravity" of the party’s work, while urban work will be complimentary to it.

Frankly speaking, the Naxalites consider the state power as a weapon in the hands of the rich and the ruling classes which are against their movement. So their prime target is to destroy the state power in all its forms and create a new one of their choice and act merrily in the domain they have established for themselves. As the state power is based on the might of its armed forces their sole aim is to paralyze the police and the paramilitary forces. The second target is the people’s representative of the state assembly and the parliament. They attack and kill democratically elected leaders and also the common people to create fear and panic among the public so that it remain docile to their rule. In order to let the people remain cut off from the police and the administration from fear of being brought to justice, they involve maximum people in committing heinous crimes like murder and rape.

Furthermore, their naked dictatorship does not have any concern for the public opinion or their well-being. Coteries of ideological fanatics are dictating the people and it is abject slavery for the people under the Naxalites rule. With the tribal living below poverty line (BPL), the added rule of Naxalites is a cause of more miseries as the people have to go on leaving their home and hearth off and on.

Therefore, VIOLENCE and TERROR is their primary ideology. They have launched a war on India. They very well know what they are doing. To call them ‘misguided’ is to wish away the evil and prolong India’s ordeal and perhaps endanger its integrity. There is nothing misguided about them; they are focused and determined to achieve their objectives.

In so doing, they have established links with foreign militant groups. On October 02, 2009, one of Maoist commanders, called Srinivasan, spoke to the anchor of LEMON TV Channel live and admitted in public that Chinese and Nepalese trainers have been coming to India to impart training to their cadres. Similarly, in the last week of October 2009, Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal revealed that Maoists of Nepal were the link for providing arms to Indian Maoists.

On November 02, 2009, a news item appeared in The Tribune, a daily News paper published from Chandigarh, which claimed that Nepalese Maoists were in touch with Indian Maoists. This news was forwarded by Bishnu Budhathoki from Katmandu, who gave reference to a news item in Nepalese news paper ‘Rajdhani Daily’ which had disclosed that the meeting of the two parties had taken place in central India on October 08, 2009.

In the same edition of The Tribune, another news item from a Tribune Correspondent, Mr. Suresh Dharur that Tamil Tigers and their remnants have been providing training to Naxalites of India in the forests of central India. The news item had given reference to this disclosure by Andhra Pradesh director general of police Mr. R R Girish Kumar.

The Maoists/Naxalites of India have chosen a well charted course to demolish the Indian Union. Any soft corner approach will spell disaster for the unity and integrity of India. Eminent political commentator Mr. Harsh V Pant, in his article, “The war within”, published in ‘The Tribune on November 02, 2009, advises political leadership that it was time for India to assert itself as well as expose the intellectual vacuity of the Maoist ideology. He concludes that the Maoist insurgency was a blatantly illegal and a no-hold-barred war against the country, against the idea and existence of Indian democracy, and that includes the poor tribal and farmers in whose cause the Maoists claim to fight. He cautions that it was not only ignorant but also extremely dangerous to romanticize the Naxalites cause. This must be understood by some of our politicians who take the help of these organizations for their short term political gains—whether it was Lalgarh in West Bengal or Abujmad in the Dandakaranya forests of Chhatisgarh.

While one does sympathize with their genuine problems but one does not approve of their methods to achieve their objectives. We all know a diamond cuts diamond. Therefore we ought to use legitimate force to bring them around and understand that Violence begets violence and more violence gets bigger violence. But, if they do abjure violence, they snuff out the very life out of their movement. Violence and MAOISM are as inseparable as oxygen from life. This must be realized by those who think that peace can be heralded through talks and negotiations alone. We need a two pronged policy of carrot and stick to deal with this menace.

Now I come to the real issue of how to combat/tackle this menace. Firstly, we must know that it was not going to be a matter of months and days. It is going to be a long drawn battle on the socio-economic and military platforms. Two-pronged pincer would be required to not only contain and neutralize the Maoists but also to assuage the hurt feelings due to constant neglect, injustice and exploitation. We would need a coherent long term strategy with full focus on it. As we go along, the strategy could be reviewed

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AHMED BAJWA--A PAKISTANI TERRORIST FROM SIALKOT---A SHORT STORY!

"Sir, the rascals tried to escape---they were shot and one is badly wounded----what to do?"-Lt Col AK Singh (not the real name) ,officiating Commanding officer of a Sikh Infantry battalion was reporting to his Deputy Commander on the Line of Control. It was almost 7 PM in the first week of the month of September 1998.
" Can he be saved? How many bullets he has got? " Deputy Commander of Keran Sector was enquiring.
" Sir, my RMO (Regimental medical officer) has given him the first aid but chances are very bleak---He has four bullets in his left side---he is bleeding profusely----we have tied the bandage" AK singh replied.
" Ok, send him to Chowkibal --we will try and evacuate him by road to field ambulance hospital. I will be there to ask him some vital questions on his group and other details to fill up the Interrogation Report Perofma ." Deputy Commander had said.
Preparing an interrogation report was an official requirement to avoid legal hassels afterwards. Generally, human rights organisations --------- there are aplenty in J&K---they spring up at the sneeze of a terrorist-----make all sort of nasty stories on such encounters and courts tend to believe them because of concocted witnesses. Therefore army has to get important details on these guys to avoid harassment by these human rights organisations. It is a sort of a defensive tactic.
" Fine , sir. Kindly inform Commander too. I will send him on a stretcher to Chowkibal. You can just hope that he survives" AK singh had answered.
I, as a Deputy Commander, informed the commander of the whole incident. He was unhappy with AK Singh for this lapse. He did not understand the logic of moving around with the captured terrorists for more searches without proper precautions. I understood Commander's point but pacified him and moved to Chowkibal by road. We drove from PHARKIAN GALI---it took us two hours or so but the injured terrorist was being transfered on foot from DOMARI---It was four to five hours treacherous journey---. The team evacuating him reached only around 1 AM.
As soon as I learnt of his arrival I put him in the ambulance and started moving to the nearest military hospital. The drive was for 30-40 Minutes to kupwara. One look at the terorrist shook the deputy commander. He seemed just a school boy and he was only crying ---" save me---save me---I do not want to die----we were ill-informed----" His eyes were almost closed . His moans and whispers were slowly losing their pitch. He was crying---"ABU (father)---save me---Abu save me----Ammi jaan ( dear Mummy)----save me---I did not listen to you---Ammi Jan----it is paining too much-----"
I knew that the man would die any momment . He did not seem to me that he would make it to a proper place for the medical treatment-----which was only at Srinagar. I was feeling sorry for him. He was hardly nineteen or twenty. This was no age to die. The boyish looks on his face gave out the innocence in his heart. But there was no way I could save him. He was about to become a victim of his religious frenzy-----stuffed in him by a maulvi of a Mosque in his village BAJWA in SIALKOT district of Pakistan. This frenzy had made him join a militant group.
He was caught in our ambush the previous day at DOMARI GALI along with two more persons. They were part of a group of some 10 militants, which was infiltrating from village ATH MUKAM in the NEELAM VALLEY of Pakistan. They were led by a local guide called Naseem -the LANGDA ( One Legged). Naseem had died in the ambush. He belonged to TAREGHAM in North Kashmir. He used to charge Rs one Lakh for every group he brought across. It is a big business in these forward areas. Similarly there are people who sell such information to security forces on being paid well. There is a business going on here----Sometimes I used to get cheesed off with the race for weapons and kills amongst our own commanders.
AHMED BAJWA had been wounded when he, along with other two terrorists, tried to escape from the custody. of our boys. They had rused the Ambush Party commander that they had hidden more weapons just across the Line of Control. Energetic Company commander fell for the ruse. It was actually a ploy by them to escape. As soon as our escort party had crossed the LC along with them----these guys grappled with them and tried to make their escape. Our boys were tough and had the better of them. In the ensuing chase they all got shot. Two of them from Rawalkot, in AZAD KASHMIR of Pakistan, had died on the spot. This guy called AHMED BAJWA was wounded but alive. He was brought back to our post at DOMARI.
As soon as he was put in the ambulance---he opened his eyes and caught hold of my hand and started crying: " Sir, save me---I don't want to die---sir save me---I was misled" he was frantically making appeals.
" Misled--how Ahmed ?" I shot back.
" Sir, I am a graduate in economics from Punjab university--Lahore. I had just started business with my uncle in Sialkot---we were in the construction business----My job was to bribe police and government officials----there I met one police officer, named Katil Khan----he was actually working for ISI-----He had arrested me for bribing a police official---I was enticed and trapped by the duo----I was asked to work for ISI, if I wanted to be free--------I had agreed------Katil khan introduced me to ABU HAMZA---who was recruiting persons for JIHAD in KASHMIR---we were told-----it is only a month's job----once we come back ---we would get Rs two Lakhs each------'
" So, you fell for your greed----" I had interjected.
'Yes sir, you can say that-----But I had no heart in this---I swear I did not want to go to jail-- Being from a respectable family it would have been a big shame--------I told lies to my parents too---I told them that I was enrolled as an Inspector in RANGERS and I was going for a month's trining----I did not tell them that I hasd joined ABU KADIL----he belonged to a nearby village----He was actually a head of a MOSQUE --he used to narrate stories of atrocities on MUSLIMS, particully the women of KASHMIR by soldiers of Indian army------ -------"
" I don't believe this nonsense"-------I had stated.
" Sir, you can check with my parents---Ring up my village---this is my telephone Number XXXXXXXXX in Village Bajwa---save me Sir"
"Can we do something, Major Malhotra (not real name)", I turned to our medical officer---who was attending to him.
"Sir, his case is hopieless-- He must reach Srinagar in next two to three hours------too much blood has oozed out-----he will soon lose his consciousness---He needs blood transfusion immediately----which can only be done at the nearest hospital in Srinagar-----we need to evacuate him by helicopter immediately------" Malhotra had advised.
"By helicopter at midnight----How Doc?" I showed my surprise.
" Then, he would not survive---he won't reach even Kupwara, sir" Doctor gave his professional verdict.
I then turned to ahmed and said, " How many brothers you have Ahmed?"
There was no answer----he just caught my hand and said in a very faint voice------" Sir, s----a---v---e m---e"
I shook him----he had gone into comma--doctor confirmed.
He was injected by Major Malhotra---He checked the heart beat----It had begun to slow down---
He gave another injection and suddenly---
I found some life returning to AHMED-----he was not leaving my hand---He was incoherent but said , " -----you must tell my parents to punish this ABU HAMZA and the maulvi of our village-------You ring up---t------ell my ABU not to allow Idris ---my younger brother------- to become a Victim of this ABU HAMZA--------you must kill him---I will see him there-------" his voice became inaudible suddenly but his grip on my hand tightened.
Then suddenly---it was all over. Doctor saw the pulse and confirmed the ultimate. With great difficulty --I got my hands freed.
First time I became emotional in this game of COUNTER TERRORISM---I had been in it for the last 15 years---but this was aweful--- There were tears in my eyes and I did cry for the young Man------I realised how young men become victim of religious frenzy--------whether this side of the border or the other side-----
I have a message for AHMED BAJWA's ( This was the name he ghad given to us---I think it must be true) PARENTS of village BAJWA in SIALKOT DISTRICT of PAKISTAN--------I had your telephone number given by AHMED but ----I had lost it-------- In any case I couldnot have spoken to you because of our tense relations.
----He was a nice young man ---He did remember his parents and younger brother----he died on September 2, 1998----He was caught at Domari on August 31 , 1998-----His uncle who worked for military engineering service as a Contractor at Sialkot had all his money----He wanted him to give it to his parents --------I hope his younger brother IDRIS did not become a terrorist too----I don't know---I can not say---there are plenty of ABU HAMZAS in Pakistani Punjab-----
Why have I come with this story now---I just remembered him----I thought someone will read this and convey to his parents in Pakistan----any Pakistani on this line---------------------Please---we are Not enemies but prisoners of our National egos------Stop this hatred-----------You have lost far too many youngmen in Kashmir-------Atone their death by shunning these ABU HAMZAS--KATIL KHAN----and these MAULVIS---------TERRORISM will never get you KASHMIR-----Perhaps LOVE MIGHT---Just might-----If you had not goofed up by carrying out TRIBAL RAID--in 1947---who knows it would have been yours---You are again goofing it up by listening to these GILLANIS of HURRIAT or SALLAHUDINS ------They will never succeed------------------------- BUT JHELUM WILL TURN CRIMSON RED WITH THE BLOOD OF YOUR BOYS.
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ONE CAN NOT LIVE BY TRUTH ALONE-----------

We live by own perceptions, which does evoke self- delusion;
Self-righteousness is human vanity, leading to self-assertion;
But whatever your credentials and however right you might be-
For, one can not live by truth alone, if world becomes the enemy.

Swear by truth by all means, live by it your each moment,
It might be your staple diet, but no reality it ever portends;
Truth is also bitter to taste and it never showers harmony-
For,one can not live by truth alone, if world becomes the enemy.

Compromise, tolerate and adjust, also live by compassion;
Universe is large and big, here space exists for everyone;
Perfection is an utopian dream, craze for it sounds phoney;
For, one can not live by truth alone, if world becomes the enemy.

Every thing is inter-dependent ,whether human-being or a nation;
One's deficiencies and short-comings will squeeze life in isolation ;
Let this thought guide your life and become a survival symphony;
For, one can not live by truth alone, if world becomes the enemy.

To err is human, we all know; but delibrate intent makes it a crime-
To forgive and forget is the golden rule which makes life sublime;
Forget the 'past' and live in 'present' as 'future' wrapped in mystery-
For, one can not live by truth alone, if world becomes the enemy.
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NAGMA's BANGLES--PART ONE --A TRUE STORY

NAGMA'S BANGLES---PART ONE
June 1961 " Oye, 'ANGREZ'! Chalana 'PAKISTANANNI nuN Vekhan?" ( Hey, You 'Englishman' ! Would you like to come with us to see the woman from Pakistan), Dilawar had asked his friend Rajinder, who had come on summer vacation from Jalandhar? Both had been good village friends till Rajinder had left for Jalandhar with his parents in March 1960. Rajinder had joined a school in Jallandhar, where they taught English right from 1st standard--It was not realy an Endglish medium school, but ND VICTOR High School had all the aura of an English school. Whenever he had come to his village Balachaur, Rajinder showed off his English knowledge to these village boys, like Dilawar and Partap, who were not only his old class mates but also fast friends. "Pakistananni--- Uh ki kar rahi hai Balachaur vich ?" ( Pakistani woman? What is she doing in Balachaur?) Rajinder had asked. (NOTE: All conversation was always in Punjabi. But we will now switch over to English for the ease of understanding of various readers.) "Her name is Ashgari, they say. All elders talk in hush-hush tone about her. She has come to Baba VIDHI CHAND's house. I have heard people talking that she was in love with his son, uncle, Bharat Singh, when she left for Pakistan in 1947" Partap, another friend, had given the connected information. " 1947? We were not born even then. What has she come now for?" Rajinder had wanted to know. " How does it matter to us? Let us see as to how do the PAKISTANIS look?" Dilawar had intervened. " What do you mean by asking as to how do the Pakistani look? She must be like us only--didn't you hear Partap saying that she had gone away only in 1947/" Rajinder showed his annoyance to Dilawar. "OK--if you want to come, welcome, else we are leaving" so saying Dilawar and Partap moved away. Rajinder , too followed them. As soon as they reached Baba Vidhi Chand's house, they found the house congested with village women. Everyone was curious to meet this woman who had come from Pakistan to meet her ex-lover in India. It was a strange re-union. She was not at all embarassed, nor was uncle Bharat Singh and his wife. In fact, it was uncle Bharat Singh's wife, aunt to Dilawar Partap and Rajinder, who was introducing every one to Ashgari. On being asked by village ladies about her family and home in Pakistan, she briefly gave out a very touching and moving story about her move from Balachaur to Pakistan. She did not want to go as she was madly in love with Bharat Singh. But she was forcibly taken away by her parents and brothers. One of her brother Yousuf was in he army as a VCO (Viceroy Commissioned Officer), equiavalent of JCO rank today. (He later got commission in Pakistan army and retired as a Brigadier in 1973). They had left under police protection from their camp at Balachaur. But by the time they had reached 'Wagah' border, her parents and two brothers were killed in an attack by armed 'thugs' at Phillaur. At Jandiala Guru, near Amritsar, she lost her two sisters, who were forcibly taken by some armed Sikhs---She had escaped as she lay persumed 'dead' along with her elder brother Rehmat Ali---who too pretended 'death'. When she narrated this story--there were tears in her eyes---she was sad but she had no ill-feelings because she saw more heinous crimes against the Hindus and Sikhs across the border. She was, of course, bitter about partition. Asghari lived with her brother Rehmat Ali in the Model town locality of Lahore. Her other surviving brother was in the army. Rehmat Ali had opened a cloth shop in Hira Mandi of Lahore--famous for the 'nautch girls' or the 'KOTHEWALIS'. When asked if she had met in Lahore any one else from Balachaur, she replied in affirmative. She said that her name was NAGMA. All elderly village ladies said in a loud chorus, " Oh, Nagma--Nuroo Teli's daughter?'" . There was some kind of naughty mischief in their chorus. Then Ashgari let out as to how she established contact with Nagma. One day at about 7 PM in the evening in the year 1959, as Rehmat Ali was closing the shop, a lady's voice accosted him. " Huzoor, Salaamalekum" ( Sir, my respects to you!) Rehmat Ali turned and found a lady in a black veil (Burqa). " Baalekum salaam, Mohtarama (I reciprocate, dear lady)! who are you?" Rehmat asked her. " Sir, I am Nagma---------Nagma, daughter of Nooruddin 'Teli' of Balachaur---India " the lady had blabbered out. " Nagma, I see----------Nagma---------Nooruddin 'Teli' ---oh, yea---Nagma---what are you doing here-----You had married--Lambardarni (wife of a village Numberdar) Hakam Devi's Son' ------what did they call her BHAGTANI- (a pious and a religious lady)------Yea, BHAGTANI's son----what was his name 'RAI SINGH'---he had converted-----he had come with you--------didn't he?" Rehmat Ali suddenly remembered everything. " Sir----it is a long story---will tell you some time later -- I had been seeing you for some days ---I had recognised you---but I did not have the guts to ask you--- Today, after great delibrations in my mind, I mustered all the courage to ask you." Nagma had replied. " So, what are you doing here ? Come home some times---I am staying with Ashgari, my sister, at 343 Model Town, Lahore." Rehmat Ali had said. " I am working at Shamima Begum's Kotha---I had no choice----" saying so,she stunned Rehmat Ali and started started crying. Rehmat Ali bid her good bye quitely but felt pity on her. He had known Noorudin 'Teli' as a successful trader of Balachaur. Nagma was popular for her beauty amongst the Muslim, as well as Hindu boys of her age. She was of course an object of their desire. But her love affair with Rai Singh had disheartened everyone. When he came home he told Ashgari about NAGMA. Ashgari had met Nagma the next day and learnt her story. They kept meeting like this till----------. When , one day, Ashgari decided to visit India, Nagma had asked her to take a present for her ex-lover, Rai Singh-------Bhagtani's son. Thus, Ashgari told the gathered crowd of women that she had brought a present for BHAGTANI's son, Rai Singh, from Nagma. Elderly ladies present there began to murmur and some really laughed it out. When Bharat Singh, ex-paramour of Ashgari, was introducing the trio of Dilawar , Partap and Rajinder, he told her about their parents--She knew them all. As soon as he said that Rajinder was BHAGTANI's Grand Son, she just jumped and said, " Come, come! I have brought a gift for your uncle Rai Singh---give it to him only." So saying she handed over a letter and a packet wrapped up in a URDU News paper. Even the hand written letter was in URDU. Rajinder had quietly accepted this. When Rajinder came back home, he handed over the letter and the packet to his grand ma. Surprisingly, when she opened the packet, she found bangles. This was too much and BHAGTANI was furious. She became abusive with anger and RAJINDER had never seen this side of his grand ma for the last eight/nine years---at least not since 1953. She was cursing Rai Singh and Nagma both. He asked his grandma as to what was wrong but she would not tell him.
He quitely took the letter away from the grand ma. He could make out there was something wrong---as his uncle, Rai Singh, was married to his mother's younger sister---his MAASI------it could lead to some serious tension in the family. Thankfully, MAASI had gone to her parents along with Rajinder's cousins. He contacted Partap and went back to Uncle Bharat singh to have that URDU NOTE by NAGMA read to them. He read: " Zalim Te Jhoothe Rai Singh (Cruel and liar Rai singh)---you are not a man---you are a eunuch--- I am sending bangles to you ----Do you recognise them----put them on, you coward----you deserve them more than me---You are responsible for my fate---I shall never excuse you---If there was God, He will seek my revenge for your betrayal-------------------." This is how the letter kept on cursing Rai Singh. And it was one full page of some chosen Punjabi abuses alongwith emotional outbusrsts of such words as "KUTTA" (Dog), KAMEENA" (Rascal) "HARAAMI" (Bastard). Most of those abuses were for BHAGTANI and RAI SINGH and, of course, UNPRINTABLE. Rajnder, then asked Uncle Bharat singh the story of Nagma and his own paternal uncle Rai Singh. The story started with a flash back to 1946 . It began with the mischief of four friends. Mischief was about the use of 'MOHNI MANTRA' (APHORMISM FOR ENTICING GIRLS) @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ September 1946 Kamal Singh, nicknamed 'Goga', had four friends---who had actually formed a music group. One of them was Satpal Singh Sodhi ---also called CHHATANKOO(Little fellow) because of his height and short size but he was very naughty and mischievous. He was the son of Vijay Singh Sodhi. He used to be the master of ceremonies ( MC) for the music group. They called him 'announcer' in those days. Then, they had ASHA RAM BHOOTNA--he was the TABLA PLAYER. 'Bhootna' was his family's nick name because of the colour complexion of the male members.People said that they had looked like ghosts. He was a very quite type of fellow. Another fellow wasTARSEM SINGH, who used to sing and play harmonium along with Rai Singh. He was the son of Darab singh, a cousin of Baba Vidhi Chand. Tarsem was also the father of Partap, Rajinder's friend. The main head of the group was Rai Singh--who used to not only sing but also compose music and write lyrics. Rai Singh was the grandson of LEHNA SINGH--a very famous landlord and YES-MAN of Britishers --he was given the honorary rank of the equiavalent of a 'Court registrar' for all land dispute cases. He was called 'safed posh' (dressed in whites). It is alleged that he had acquired a lot of land from innocent people through his manipulations. Somehow, he could not pull on with his only son Badan singh, married to HAKAM DEVI, also called BHAGTANI (pious and a religious lady) by the villagers. Badan singh had four sons from Hakam devi---Rai Singh was the third. After the death of Lehna Singh in 1928 and Badan Singh in 1934, the family ran into financial problems and thus two elder brothers of Rai Singh left studies and had to join the military service.Despite financial problems, Mrs Hakam Devi, refused to take charge of ill-acquired properties by her father-in-law. Rai Singh,too,left studies. He was very fond of singing. When he became 15, around 1940, he started playing harmonium and formed a music group with some of his village friends. It was this music group, which Kamal Singh 'Goga' had approached to help him in winning the heart of NAGMA. They all belonged to a village called Balachaur, then in Hoshiarpur District of Punjab.The village was a hub of Kachhwaha (or Kushwaha) Rajputs of Punjab, who migrated to Punjab from Rajasthan around mid sixteenth century. It is said that they were the descendants of Lord Rama's second son KUSH , who had set up the kingdom of KASUR (now in Pakistan). Some historical records say that Lord Rama's elder son, LUV, had set up the kingdom of LAHORE (Pakistan) As time elapsed, the Kachhwaha or Kushwahas of KASUR, migrated to Central India---the story of AMBER KINGDOM of Kachhwahas is very famous. From here they came to Rajasthan----Jaipur Area. During the Moghul period, two noble brothers of the Kachhwaha clan came to Punjab from Jaipur. On a decree from Subedar(Governor) of Sirhind (Punjab of those days), they set up their fiefdom---which included some 360 villages each on the North and South Bank of River Satluj. As, as per the decree of the SUBEDAR , they had rounded up this land on a 'horse back 'in one day, as such they were also called GHODE WAHA (Horse Riders). 'Ghodewaha Rajputs' of this clan are found in abundance in Pakistan. The Muslim community of Balachaur was only of low castes such as TELI (OIL SQUEEZERS), LOHAR ( IRON-SMITHS) and TARKHANS (CARPENTERS). Some of them were very rich and had flourishing business in their ancestral profession. It is said that they had all converted at some point from their Hindu subcastes. Ironically, even after conversion they were treated like their previous castes. Muslim Rajputs did not accept them as their equals. Nooruddin TELI of Balachaur was a florishing tradesman in different kind of oils. He was a rich man. He had three daughters and two sons. Nagma was the youngest of them all. In April 1946, she must be around 19 years old. She was very beautiful and became the cynosure of the boys of her age. One such boy was Kamal Singh GOGA. He was enamoured by the girl so much that he could do anything to possess her. As soon as he approached Rai Singh and his group, Satapal, CHHATANKOO,thought of a mischief. He told him that he had known an OLD SAGE who gives MOHNI MANTRA for winning the hearts of the girls. His aphormisms were sure shot winners. He can take him there. He was asked to reach 'SAI DA TAKIA' ( SUFI SAINT's RESTING PLACE) around 10 PM at night. This structure was located at a desolate place over a hillock where there was a tomb of a sufi saint. It was generally famous for drug addicts who consumed opium and charas. 'Chataankoo' asked Rai Singh to become the 'BABA' and other two to pose as his disciples. As they all used to perform in RAMLILA (Enactment of Hindu Epic Ramayana), they had all the gear to disguise as SADHUS ( Holymen). 'Chhatankoo' took Goga there at night. The drama was played to perfection. After a lot of pleas by GOGA---'Fake Saint Rai Singh' handed over a human skull to him with some human hairs and a packet of ash. 'Goga' was told that he should go and keep the skull in front of Nagma's house, fill it up with cow -dung , vermillion, tamrind and one yard of black cloth. He was assured that the skull, if kept properly there, would force NAGMA to come out of the house. He was asked to throw the ash on her, when she comes out and shout " BOM BOM BOLE -ALLAH HO AKBAR". Poor Goga reached Nagma's house early next morning. He placed the skull as was advised. He waited for Nagma to come. After 15 minutes or so the door opened and Nagma's father, Nooruddin came out. Without realising that it was not NAGMA but Noorudin, Kamal Singh Goga threw the ash on him and shouted BOM BOM BOLE--ALLA HO AKBAR. Noorudin was stunned but caught hold of Goga, who , too, was in a state of shock after seeing Noorudin. The matter was reported to village panchayat. On investigation, it came to light that the mischief was the brain work of Rai Singh and his musical group. Goga was punished--his face was blackened and, mounted on a donkey, was taken around the village by village elders. Thereafter, kamal singh Goga left the village and went to KOLKOTTA---he married there and settled. (He came back in 1964 to give his share of property to his younger brother--Kapil Singh---thereafter he never ever returned---persumably died there.) The music group was also punished--they were asked to applogise to Noorudin in front of whole Panchayat and village elders. The music group expelled 'Chhatankoo' and made 'Mohna' a new member. Tarsem Singh, took over the function of 'Announcer'. One day music group was rehearsing for a song in the HAVELI of Rai Singh. It was written and composed by Rai Singh. The words of the songs were, " ASI MAR GAYE TERI JAWANI TE, HUNh KAHNU TU SHIKAYATAn LAANDI NI" (We have sacrificed ourselves on your youthful beauty; there is no use complaining against us, dear girl!). As luck would have it, NAGMA and her mother passed by the Haveli at that precise moment. Nagma's mother thought RAI SINGH was trying to tease her daughter. She became angry and decided to complain to his mother, Bhagtani. Next day, Nagma's mother and Nagma came to complain to Bhagtani . She was busy with her religious rituals. Both of them met NOORO , the maid servant and Sarbrati Bhrai, her brother. When they announced their purpose of visit---Sarbrati Bhrai---started laughing. He told the duo that Rai Singh was actually a singer and a harmonium player and he daily practises singing. He also told that his group had often sung at 'Ram Lila' (Enacting Of Hindu Epic Ramayana), Mushairas ( A function to recite Urdu Poems) and various other cultural functions. In the mean while, Rai Singh came home from his haveli. He was surprised to see them there. When Sarbrati Bhrai explained their visit, he was shocked. He , then , explained that the said song he was preparing for the 'ROSHNI' (A 'Sufiana' festival of light, sound and music) which was due in the 'SAI DA TAKIA' in a few days time. (This function used to last for 15 days-----It used to be day and night entertainment for the village folks---Women folk used to attend during day time only----it used to be a gathering of Urdu poets, plays by 'Nakalchi'- persons who copy others and the singing troupes, like that of Rai Singh. It used to great fun. Even in the 60s, Roshni festival used to take place). During the 'ROSHNI' festival, Rai Singh's group performed a number of songs. Somehow,Nagma listened to him and became his fan. The fact was that she was also very fond of singing. Despite stiff resistance from the families, Nagma too became the lady singer with the group. Nagma and Rai Singh's duets became very famous in the region. One of their many duets, which gave indication of mutual infatuation between the two initially, ran like this; Male: Hoor-e kar laiye ni mere naal viaah, ki munda maiN lambadaN da! Ki munda maiN LambadaN da (Listen, O' beautiful woman, you better marry me, For, I am a boy from the Numberdar family,--- For--------) Female: Bhull jaa ve tu hoor naal viaah, ki munda tu taN kalaa siaah? Ki munda tu taN kaala siaah ? (Forget your marriage with the beautiful woman, for, you are a dark complexioned boy-----for-------) Male : Mere piyar de rang tu vekh, kaale rang te kudiye na ja; ki dil mera sone varga. Ki dil mera sone varga (You better consider the colors of my love and don't go by by my dark comlexion, afterall, I have a golden heart------I have a------.) Female: Ki karangi sone da dil, jihda banda na koyi gehna; ki munda tu nahi kise kumm da---Ki munda tu nahi kise kumm da? (What am I going to do with a golden heart ,which is no good for making any ornament? You are of no use, O'boy---you are of ------) Male;XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Female: XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX This duet was a normal dialogue of taunts between a Punjabi Boy and a girl in those days.Over the next few months , the pair became famous for not only singing but also for the flourishing love between the two. Girl's parents initially objected but they gave in because they saw an opportunity in this to avoid the dislocation of the family due to much talked about separate 'home land ' for Muslims---which might lead to their moving out of Balachaur. Noorudin had a good business and he did not want to go. Though, he was a Muslim but still of a low caste and he saw an opportunity in this to seek equality with Muslim Rajputs of the area as Rai Singh's family was a reputed Rajput family. But Rajput community, both Hindu and Muslims, strongly objected to it. They could not do much because Balachaur Police station, in those days was full of Muslims and the SHO, (Station House Officer), Inspector, Mohammed Faisal, himself was a TELI .It is said that he only had advised Noorudin to bless this marriage, keeping in mind the coming political storm , as this was a Hindu dominated village in the region. Therefore Nagma's family showed no remorse in the much talked about love-affair of the village. Also, Rai Singh, around 21 years old, then, plus young and brash, did not listen to anyone--not even his own mother. His friends also helped them. Strangely, though 'Bhagtani' objected to this love affair and the impending marriage but she did not prevail upon her son strongly to desist from this marriage. She just outwardly protested. she did not even inform her two elder sons who were serving in the military as VCOs. They came to know of the incident much later in 1948, when they had both come on leave.It seems Nagma and Rai Singh had secretly married in March/April 1947, according to Muslim traditions, with the help of Noorudin but it was never made public. ByJune 1947, socio-politico environs had been vitiated and communal tension was mounting. It seems Rajput community, both Hindu and Muslims, held a convention at JADLA, another Hindu Rajput village-----some 8-9 Kms South West of Balachaur, in June 1947. The Muslim Rajputs were in majority but still Hindu rajputs requested them not to dislocate to Pakistan---if need be they would be accepted in the Hindu fold again. But Rao 'Sahib' of AASRON village, near Ropar, did not agree. He was a very big landlord and respected amongst the Kachhwaha Rajpputs of the region.(Major General Rao Farman Ali , Chief of staff of Pakistan Army in East Pakistan in 1971, was the son of the Rao of AASROn). Rao sahib's polite rejection to re-convert, led to passing of a resolution which declared that Hindu Rajputs would provide protection to their brethern amongst the Muslims, during transition period.
----------------------CONTINUED IN PART 'TWO'
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"DO YOU THINK YOU DIE FOR YOUR COUNTRY"-A QUESTION TO SOLDIERS?

Anatole France once asked a soldier, " Do you think you die for your country?"
When the soldier replied in the affirmative, he said, " Wrong! You die for the INDUSTRIALISTS." I would, in the Indian context, like to modify his suggestion to read as : WRONG, YOU DIE FOR THE CORRUPT, UNGRATEFUL and UNCONCERNED. Bureaucrats and politicians head this list, followed by bulk of unscrupulous businessmen who would qualify to be included in the list.
Soldiers, today, must learn that they NO MORE fight a Nation's wars but the conflicts started by inept, inefficient and incompetent BUREAUCRACY of India, in league with self-centered, greedy and corrupt politicians. You ask me to explain it. My answer is very simple. All internal and external problems of India are created by lack of vision and thought bankruptcy on strategic matters by two sets of people who rule India, namely, BUREAUCRATS and POLITICIANS. From Nagaland in the fifties to Mizoram in the sixties; from Assam in the seventies to Punjab and J&K in the eighties; from Mumbai riots in the early nineties to Mumbai attack in 2008; from communal riots in Gujarat to the same in Andhra & Karnatka; from killing fields of BIhar and UP to mafia murders in Mumbai; from 'MANDAL' issue to 'KAMANDA'L issue; from demolition of BABRI MASJID to burning of TRAIN in GODHARA; from Naxalite hooliganism to Communalist mayhem since independence;all this and much more owe themselves to the misdeeds of an unholy nexus between the bureaucrats and politicians, who govern this country. Whether it was the Indo-Pak wars in1947, 1965 and 1971 or 'WAR LIKE SITUATION 'in Kargil in 1999 or even Operation PAWAN in Sri Lanka in the late eighties and the Chinese invasion of 1962-----my dear dead soldiers, you did not die for the nation instead, you gave your lives so as to cover the callous mistakes of these people. You are dead and gone. But no one remebers you other than some rantings on these annual rituals, called 'Vijay Divas' or the 'VICTORY DAY".
If there was a natural calamity in the country---army is called in. If law and order goes awry, soldiers are roped in. If a child gets stuck in a bore-well pit, soldiers are mustered to save the innocent life. No one punishes the guys responsible for such acts of omission and commission. In the bargain, if a soldier loses a life, they play act a drama as if they care too much but none does. There are many a widows of soldiers, who are fighting their lonely battles---------no one is coming forward to help them except some ESM (Ex Service Men ) organisations such as IESL and IESM---whom no one listens---not even the army.
Once NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR, while in Germany, had made a remark on the army's recent projection of anomalies in the Sixth Pay Commission.He retorted to the questioner," Don't worry we will sort out the bast**ds" or words to that effect. He did not know that MILITARY ATTACHE was also listening and who, then, faxed it to his chief. You know what happened then. The three chiefs walked up to the PM with resignation letters in hand. The recent case of OROP(One rank One Pension) is an interesting testimony to how bureaucracy fools everyone.
Don't you know the way the soldiers have been fooled by this announcement in the parliament by our respectable Finance Minister on July 6 2009, when he vociferously announced implementation of ONE RANK ONE PENSION for the armed forces. Undoubtedly, it was an attempt to divide soldiers by announcing it ONLY for PBOR (PERSONS BELOW OFFICERS RANK). The govt has, thus, tried to create a wedge amongst officers and PBOR. Even the so called grant of OROP to PBOR is a fallacy.Unfortunately the UPA government is trying to exploit this by allowing some ex- Major in Delhi distributing leaflets on this. It isan utter nonsense. What the government has done is to bring at par the pre-96 retirees with pre- 2006 retirees, which is only a minuscule segment of pensioners. The bulk of the pensioners lay in the post-1996 and pre-2006 category, which has been left untouched by the government. This is how our bureaucracy makes fool out of everyone and this is how the politicians willingly play into the hands of bureaucrats. I bet if Parnab Mukkherjee knows as to what harm he has done to the armed forces by approving this Machiavellian strategy of bureaucrats. To them, it is NOT the NATIONAL INTERESTS that matter but their PERSONAL INTERESTS.
They had done the same thing during implementation and formulation of proposals for armed forces by SIXTH PAY COMMISSION. It is only due to near-rebellious situation in the armed forces that the govt reluctantly accepted it. Now the same bureaucrats have played another dirty trick with the army and the ESM. They do not realize by tempering with the ARMED FORCES and its disciplined ethics, they are endangering the security and integrity of the nation. Just imagine what happens, if the armed forces whither away like police or any other government organization! Bureaucrats and politicians had broken the back of police and made them ineffective. Thus Law and order has become a serious problem. Like Committed bureaucracy and committed police officials----they want soldiers also to be committed to political parties. If it happens, your national security be damned.
THERE IS A VITAL NEED TO KEEP THE ARMED FORCES APOLITICAL. But some wise Congressmen think KARGI-99 was not their war but BJPs---similarly BJP will think that 1971 or 1965 wars were not theirs but of the Congress. What happens to soldiers?They too are being cultivated to divide the army. Would Congress's soldiers like to die for BJP's war? The question is ridiculous but this is what Mr Rashid----- a Congress MP, meant when he ridiculed the celebrations of VIJAY DIVAS. No congressman asked him to shut up. How disgusting?
Often, I hear a logic, that one joins armed forces voluntarily. No one has forced them to join. Very right. This very logic has affected the military ethos. You do not get the quality material any more because of this lopsided thinking. Therefore there are aberrations---corruption cases---rapes---misbehavior---hooliganism----extor- tion and what not by soldiers. It is still in controllable limits---but if you continue to ignore them, certainly he would ask the question: WHY SHOULD I DIE FOR THESE PEOPLE? IS IT WORTH TO LAY DOWN ONE's LIFE FOR A SELF CENTERED PEOPLE?
I know most of our soldiers come from rural poor backgrounds and they still think of their poor families before they do any act which might affect their family honour. Therefore, they not only tolerate all sorts of nonsense but also accept the professional hardships. Their tolerance limits is much more than the soldiers of other armies. They suffer the vagaries of weather and man made conditions silently. In 1962, they fought the Chinese with point 303 rifles with just 50 rounds---they went to snow covered high altitude mountains in their summer clothing. They died. They were injured but they did not rebel. It was exploitation of their impoverished background by the nation. Giving medals and awards to a few does not ameliorate the pain of many others whose deaths go unnoticed and uncared.
The question is how long the nation and the army can keep its soldiers in the 'DENIAL MODE' from their LEGITIMATE DUES and RIGHTS? Today's soldiers are more aware of their rights and previleges. Education and literacy is making them INDIVIDUALISTIC. Time is NOT far when they would behave like the EDUCATED SOLDIERS----Yes, its implications must be understood by all and sundry---even the army. They will question every one--from their own bosses to governmental orders. THEY WILL NO MORE BE SOLDIERS OF THE 'LIGHT BRIGADE'---WHO WILL AUTOMATICALLY MARCH INTO THE 'VALLEY OF DEATH' WHILE THE BULLETS FLY LEFT AND RIGHT OF THEM. They will no more sing the hymn: THERE IS NOT TO REASON WHY; THERE IS BUT TO DO AND DIE. Therefore , please do understand that ignoring SOLDIER's MARTYRDOM and his SACRIFICES was going to be very costly for this nation.
Nation has to pay the PREMIUM for the Soldier's SACRIFICES and MARTYRDOM. Nation has to pay this premium for its own security and safety. It is NO FAVOUR nation is doing to its soldiers---whether they joined voluntarily or due to some economic pressures. The words of General Douglas Mc arthur, US army Chief in 1931 echo in my ears, when he told President Franklin D Roosevelt, " --- Mr President, when in the next war, an American soldier lying on the ground with enemy bayonet piercing his abdomen, spat out his last curse, I do not want the name to be Mac Arthur but ROOSEVELT". It is no point emphsising that President Roosevelt gave to the army what he wanted. And second world war is a testimony that US army tilted the balance in favour of Allied Powers.
Therefore. I reiterate that dues of Indian soldiers must be given. The nation must do it. If you do not do this then the ULTIMATE WILL HAPPEN-----as a URDU SHAIYAR had said, " GAR AB BHI NA SAMJHOGE AYE HINDOSTAN WALO---TUMHARI DASTAAN TAK BHI NA HOGI DAASTAANO MEIN"( If you do not mend your ways O' Indians, you shall evaporate and not exist even in History books). Take it from me, there will be no more SAFE INDUSTRIES---THERE WILL BE NO MORE JET FLYING 'CEOs' and smooth talking corporate managers or the GLOBE TROTTING 'IT's WONDER BOYS IN INDIA----------THERE WILL BE NO MORE SAFE HOMES FOR YOU TO INDULGE IN BLOGGING ON SULEKHA-------IN FACT, THERE WILL BE NO MORE INDIA AS IT EXISTS TODAY. Decide what you want. The last bastion of India's UNITY and INTEGRITY is waiting to DISINTEGRATE because of CONSTANT TEMPERING WITH it by BUREAUCRACY and POLITICIANS.
Indian army has been fighting for 60 years in Nagaland and other North East States---it has been holding Assam, Kashmir and Punjab for you for the last 25 to 30 years.Despite all this there are no major cribbs against it, other than media hyped non-sense by vested interests by which some of you get influenced. Remember, Soldiers are not saints---there will be aberrations but the track record of Indian armed forces is much better than most of the armies. I am appalled to see some debates in the media which talk about wrong doings in the army. Most of it is based upon misinformation--but even if there was any misdeed army is prompt to act and punish the guilty---you know about TEHLEKA expose. Who else did it and who else does it?
Haven't you heard the recent murder of a youth in Baramulla? There was KASHMIR BANDH on this on the plea that he was killed by the army. Now it has turned out that he was killed by his friends for money. Such manipulations against army are quite common in insurgency infected araes. All cases of alleged rapes are speedily dealt with---most of them turn out to be motivated allegations. When you ask soldiers to search for militants at the dead of a night in a village----such rubbish will be attributed to them. Even if some soldiers misbehave---take it, they are NO HOLY MEN. If you want to avoid such incidents---ASK THE GOVERNMENT TO SEND THE ARMY BACK TO BARRACKS. This is what the SEPARATISTS and the MILITANTS want---If some of you, educated elites of SULEKHA are going to play into the hands of the SEPARATISTS of KASHMIR like this and believe intheir motivated propaganda-------then, also be prepared for them to walk into your homes one day and there would be none to check them.
Look at the record of Pakistan army in Bangla Desh in 1970. More than 10 million people had become refugees; some lakhs perished and thousands of women were raped and hundreds of children maimed. Just have a glance at Sri Lanka's recently concluded operations against LTTE. what has NOT come out about thousands of CIVILIANS of TAMIL ORIGIN who were killed. Look at what the PAKISTAN ARMY has done in SWAT? Some 3 million people have been rendered homeless. There is no independent checks of army's claims of killing some 1000 Taliban ( there were only 4000)---No top leader has been killed or arrested. Compare the track record of Indian army against this back drop.
Now, read CRISIS IN COMMAND by RICHARD GABRIEL and PAUL SAVAGE to know the track record of US army in VIETNAM in the 60s & 70s of the last century. If still not convinced then it would be interesting for you to know of US army's recent misdeeds in IRAQ in the years 2007 &2008. Here is the link:-

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090727/ap_on_re_u...

Here are some excerpts from this link:-

"-------------------Several soldiers said unit discipline deteriorated while in Iraq.----------------"Toward the end, we were so mad and tired and frustrated," said Daniel Freeman. "You came too close, we lit you up. You didn't stop, we ran your car over with the Bradley," an armored fighting vehicle.-------------With each roadside bombing, soldiers would fire in all directions "and just light the whole area up," said Anthony Marquez, a friend of Freeman in the 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment. "If anyone was around, that was their fault. We smoked 'em.------------------"

"----------------------Taxi drivers got shot for no reason, and others were dropped off bridges after interrogations, said Marcus Mifflin, who was eventually discharged with post traumatic stress syndrome.

"You didn't get blamed unless someone could be absolutely sure you did something wrong," he said

"--------------------Soldiers interviewed by The Gazette cited lengthy deployments, being sent back into battle after surviving war injuries that would have been fatal in previous conflicts, and engaging in some of the bloodiest combat in Iraq. The soldiers describing those experiences were part of the 3,500-soldier unit now called the 4th Infantry Division's 4th Brigade Combat Team.-----------------Since 2005, some brigade soldiers also have been involved in brawls, beatings, rapes, DUIs, drug deals, domestic violence, shootings, stabbings, kidnapping and suicides. -------------------The unit was deployed for a year to Iraq's Sunni Triangle in September 2004. Sixty-four unit soldiers were killed and more than 400 wounded — about double the average for Army brigades in Iraq, according to Fort Carson. In 2007, the unit served a bloody 15-month mission in Baghdad. It's currently deployed to the Khyber Pass region in Afghanistan----------------------------."

Now talk about the Indian army and its track record. It is sixty year for this army to hold your nation together from Nagaland to Kashmir and J&K to Kanyakumari. It has been involved in wars---low intensity conflicts---militancy /terrorism-------flood reliefs---children rescue----earthquake relief----you name a damn thing where you have not called your army---how many INDIANS have been rendered home less. It has fought four and a half wars (Kargil was somewhat a war) for you. Some thousands of soldiers have laid down their lives in these wars and operations--------they have left their widowed wives; orphaned children; helpless mothers, sobbing sisters and wailing fathers in your care for, they had faith in you. Would they have sacrificed their lives if they had an iota of doubt on your sincerity? They fulfilled their part of the CONTRACT by laying down their lives for your safety, honour and security. Why are you retracting from your part of the contract? Please ensure they are not to be ridiculed and slighted as you are doing it today.
I insist soldiers are no saints-----they can not be as they do not hail from the heavens-------they are from the same society----as you all are----while you have gone astray-----I mean the society----how do you expect them to remain holy men? if soldiers are running berserk at times---it is the social system which is to be blamed. And worse it has begun to TREAT SOLDIERS AS DOORMATS. Reform the society first. Stop this unwanted criticism---else you break this institution as a back lash by the soldiers who will ask: WHY SHOULD I DIE FOR THESE PEOPLE?
Should he do so--where does India stand? What happens to all your dreams of economic growth and development? I am reminded of an old Hindi quote, " JAAN HAI TO JAHAAN HAI" ( IF YOU LIVE, THE WORLD EXISTS). Applying the same analogy---if there is security and safety ---India lives---then comes your economic growth and development. Try neglecting your security and sanctity of the borders---You won't exist, what to say your economic growth and development. Pay the premium for INDIA TO LIVE!
Read more...

'KARGIL's VICTORY DAY'-A FARCE ON MARTYRDOM?

It was early morning of July 26 , 2009. Col RS was busy doing Swami Ram Dev's Yoga exercises. He has been doing this ever since he left the army in 2003. At about 6 AM, he got a call from his neighbor, Mr Ajit shukla, a defence accredited journalist with a TV News Channel.
Ajit Shukla, " Good Morning, sir. A very very happy VIJAY DIVAS"
Col RS: Sorry, VIJAY DIVAS is a FARCE. I don't celebrate it. Thank you, anyway.
Ajit: This is very interesting. Why don't you? After all it is to remember those brave soldiers who laId down their lives for the nation.
Col RS: What has the nation done for those over 589 soldiers who gave their lives?Just 153 gallantary medals for some lucky guys, whom media projected. That's all. What about the rest? All these 10 years, no one has bothered to even visit the poor widows of Kargil Martyrs. There is a political party which does not recognise the valour of soldiers in the Kargil-99. It says that Kargil was not their doing. So, its leaders say why must they recognise the valour of those fallen soldiers? How about those UNKNOWN soldiers who are missing since 1971? Wasn't the 1971 war the doing of this party? Does this party remember those who fell during a war unleashed by their party. So like bureaucracy even SOLDIERING IS ALSO SOUGHT TO BE 'COMMITTED'---i.e-- those who fought 'MY PARTY's' war and those who fought 'THEIR PART''s' war. The problem in my country is that the SOLDIER's ACTS OF BRAVERY HAVE BECOME A PING PONG GAME OF THE RULING ELITES. It is NOT an occasion to celebrate but CRY aloud for such whimsical thoughts.
Ajit : The posture of this political party is sad. I feel sorry that martyrdom is being politicalised.
Col RS: Politicized? It is being COMMERCIALIZED, too. They make movies and serials on these so called acts of bravery of soldiers. Crores of rupess are paid to actors who do the copy cat role of those gallant soldiers! Do they give a single paisa to the war-widows or the affected families? On the soldiers acts of dare-devilry, they fill their pockets. They promise so many things when the heat of the war is on---but they forget soon thereafter. Such celebrations are mere annual rituals for the political speeches----hollow statements by hollow men.
Ajit: Still it is an occasion to remember the good deeds of our soldiers, sir. I am sure you would do that.
Col RS: Yes, it is an occasion to remember our soldiers who gave their lives for the nation and I do it silently. I do NOT CELEBRATE but I ATONE THEIR DEATH FOR AN UNGRATEFUL NATION.
Ajit: There is a lot of rancor and venom in you. Is there a personal reason?
Col RS: When you command troops, their safety and welfare is always a personal reason, Ajit. Our units and sections are families. We do not 'manage' soldiers we 'lead' them. But you won't understand this?
Ajit: I would like to, if you kindly narrate the complete story.
Col RS: Yes, I will. Come over.
Ajit Shukla was there at Col RS place exactly at 9 AM. He was keen to listen to the story and then let it go on the air by his channel. He knew such controversies lead to an upward trend in the TRP ratings. He was sure going to do the story on this. And he did it. Ajit had aired the story exactly at prime time (9PM) on the same day. The story on the UNSUNG, UNHEARD & UNKNOWN HEROS of KARGIL was a hit with the viewers. It was filled with a lot of melodrama. Statements of some martyr's relatives were incorporated to narrate their tales of woe which included unfulfilled promises by the government and some NGO's too. It was a hour long story. On popular demand, it was repeated again at 11 PM the same night. Ajit had, as is the habit of journalists, dramatized the original story. But it still had some 50- 60 percent truth in it. Afterall even fiction is based on some real life incidents.
Col RS , when he heard this story on the ATTV, he was stunned. He knew he was taken up the garden path by his journalist neighbor. He had made it really very spicy. Col RS was being projected as a super Hero, which he detested. He was getting continuous calls from a lot of people for the facts mentioned in the News Channel story, which did not exist. He was aghast but he was the hero--so he had to accept unwanted felicitations he was getting from all and sundry. From an UNSUNG and UNHEARD persona nongrata, heretofore, he had become an instant hero exactly 10 years after the episode. He did not know whether to curse or thank Ajit Shukla. He went back into a flash back and his mind narrated to him the true story again.

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Officiating Commander, Col RS, collected his special team in his operational room for the very important mission. News of intrusion by Pakistan trained militants in Kargil had trickled into Army circles. In the beginning of May 1999, it was all a hush-hush affair in the army. Civilians had yet not got the real wind of it. Every commander in the valley thought that it would be a small affair and it could be ignored. Therefore,most commanders were waiting for the things to happen. But COL RS had planned a special mission to disrupt the NEELAM VALLEY ROAD opposite Keran sector. This road was the lifeline of Pakistan army in FCNA. He knew the importance of this mission. If executed successfully ,it could cut off the the supply route of intruders into Kargil. Also, he thought it could isolate the INTRUDERS in Kargil from their lines of maintenance and communications. To do so, it was very important to go across the LC and blow up the DUDHNIYAL Bridge on the Neelam River (Known as KISHAN GANGA RIVER in Indian parlance).
Intrusion in KARGIL allegedly by Pak sponsored militants had mixed impact on the commanders. Some dismissed it as an annual ritual by Pakistan. They all thought that it was a small intrusion, like the earlier ones at 'Guthur Forward' in Keren sector and 'Lunda' in the Gurej sector. It was normal with Pakistan to do this nibbling act at the end of every winter season. Unfortunately, army authorities had been keeping mum over these intrusions and accepting it on the quiet. This time, it was inferred that Pakistan had done it in Kargil. This segment of commanders thought that it was a small intrusion and the intruders could be thrown out in 48 hours, if their logistic supply was cut. Col RS had other plans.He had planned a special mission on his own. Some others thought it was time to teach a lesson to Pakistan. Col RS, officiating Commander, of an Infantry brigade on the LC, was one such radical hawk. His commander was on leave and he had got this opportunity.
It was in this context that Col RS had personally selected all the officers and men. There were 60 volunteers but he picked up only two officers, two Junior commissioned officers( JCOs) and 12 other ranks (ORs), which included some NCOs( Non Commissioned Officers) and sepoys. All of them were physically tough and mentally robust. They were known for their raw courage. All of them had displayed it in a number of operations they carried out against the militants. There was none amongst them without three to four 'Kills'.
Lt Rohtas Singh of 22 Sikh had the highest number of 'kills', some nine of them. He was a youngman of 23 years and passed out of IMA only in June1998. His team leader Major Vikram Singh 10 JAK RIF was another hard core expert on anti-terrorist operations. Once in a hand to hand fight with Afghan militants near ISMAIL DI DERI feature on the Shamshabari Range, he had bayoneted two Afghans, despite having been wounded in the right leg. Havaldar Suresh M Subramanayam of 27 MADRAS was another dare devil. He had once chased a group of militants for some two kilometers on the Shamshbari range---a high altitude area with heights above sea level being some 13-14000 feet.. He killed one and captured one alive. What to say of Subedar Bansi Lal of 4 JAT? He had led missions across the LC, a number of times and raided the militants hide outs in the village ATHMUQAM (Chak---in the Indian context).
Col RS, Officating Commander, had briefed his men thus: " Gentlemen! This might be your ONE WAY TICKET TO HEAVENS. Those of you, who are chicken-hearted, are welcome to pull out." He paused to see the response. There was a unanimous response by the team in a chorus, "NEVER MIND, SIR!"
Col RS briefed them of the task and connected issues. He explained to them that the demolition of 'Dudhniyal Bridge' will cut off the intruders from RATTU CANTT in the FCNA which was the launch pad for Pakistan's nibbling act on the LC after every winter. This had been happening since 1990. He had emphasized that his intentions were not only to isolate the intruders but to go beyond the LC to dominate this bridge so as to disrupt enemy's line of communications in the Gilgit, Hunza and Baltistan areas. Therefore everything depended on the success of their mission.
Major Vikram had made only one request, " God willing, we will carry out the task. Either we will all come out alive or we will all die. In the latter case , may I request you , sir, that our bodies must be retrieved and last rites performed as due to each one of us."
Col RS had said, " Vikram, this is NOT war---you can not die in enemy territory. You have to all come back, dead or alive, after you have completed the mission. May god be with you".
Vikram : Sir, I have not understood your point of this being NO WAR. When they can come into our territory and play havoc with our people, what prevents us from calling this as a war. To me, who is leading a team across the LC, it is a war, sir"
Col RS: Yes Vikram, to you and also to me it is WAR but people on top do not understand this This is why they have OFFICIALLY NOT given me the permission to carry out this task. I am to take my own initiative and act upon the counsel of my professional judgment. I have decided to act even if it is NO WAR. It is the risk I am taking.
Vikram: sir, it is fine as long as you approve of this. God willing we will carry out the task.
Col RS: Vikram, remember, you must bring back all the members of your team, whether dead or alive. No one to be left behind. Let me not see the past being repeated. I remember the KAYIAN BOWL incident of May 1972 when soldiers of 9 SIKH became prey to friendly gestures by Pakistan army which led to a major intrusion by them under our very nose. When it was detected 4 MAHAR was launched to eject them---and the battalion got butchered in a SILENT ATTACK by us because it was supposed to be NO WAR. Pakistan army had prepared for this over months---they had built up the strength to a battalion---where we thought was only a Company had intruded. I suspect a similar thing might erupt in KARGIL. But the bosses insist it is not to be an act of war because of peace talks initiated at Lahore on 20 February 1999. So your mission is a covert operation.
Vikram: In that case, I still request please retrieve our bodies , if we fail to come back. I do not want to be buried in some unknown place. I expect this favour.
Col RS: you don't have to request Vikram. This is my duty. I will do everything at my command to do you the honour.
With these words, Col RS had bid farewell to the team. They left for their start Point at Rang Dalu feature.
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It was 10 PM on May 6, 1999. The team left Rang Dalu base camp. Col RS was in communication with the team but he had asked it to maintain total radio silence, to be only broken on code word "NIHAYAT' in case of emergency faced by the team.
Team had made a good progress during the night. They had reached their selected base camp without much hassles. They were to lie doggo the whole day. The act of demolition was to be carried out around midnight 7/8 May 2009.
At 10 PM on May 7, the team was getting ready to go for the task, when a long column of some ponies was seen heading for their camp. The sentry had alerted them. The team quickly vacated the camp and withdrew some 100 meters to the left. The column of ponies was actually a group of some 35 armed men in civilian dress. They column halted at the same place. However leader of the group got suspicious. He started looking at the tell tale signs of the presence of vikram's team. It was clear to Vikram that they were some regular army men who were dressed as militants. He alerted his men to be ready for the fight. His team was well placed.
Vikram was right. The enemy soldiers had begun the search. The search teams of enemy were just 50 meters away from his place when Vikram asked his men to open fire. Thus the fire fight began. The ponies ran helter skelter. Vikram had seen some six to seven of the Pakistani group falling to ground. But he knew he would be outnumbered soon . Therefore, he asked his men to disengage and move back to Rang Dalu feature.
He had also broken radio silence and was in contact with Col RS. He told that three of his men were wounded and one from 7 MADRAS was killed. Lt Rohtas and Havaldar Suresh M subramaniyam were missing. He promised to bring them all back. Col RS asked him to abandon the mission and head straight back. He also promised him that a rescue team led by Major Rajpurohit of 10 JAK RIF would meet him below the Rang Dalu feature.
By 10 AM on May 8 2009, every one was in but for Lt Rohtas and Havaldar Suresh M Subramaniam. Major Vikram had brought about four AK-47 rifles which he had picked up from the dead Pakistani soldiers.. He had also brought one pony with them on which they had carried the dead body of Sep Ranjit singh of 10 JAK RIF. Col RS asked Major Rajpurohit to stay at Rangdalu and wait for the two some for another day. But nothing happened. There was no alternative and both were declared missing/ dead.
It was 8 AM in the morning on May 11, 2009 when a haggard local bakarwal reached the brigade headquarters and in formed them that two Indian army men lay exhausted near a Baihik below Rang Dalu .
A rescue team was rushed in. They were sure Lt Rohtas and Havaldar Subramaniyam. Both were wounded. But they were carrying with them a large number of explosives and seven AK 47 rifles which they had collected from the scene of engagement with the militants. Rohtas had also some diaries and written material in URDU.
It turned out they had come across a regular army group of Pakistan army which was headed for Gurej sector. In the guise of militants they were to occupy a vacant feature to dominate the road from Rajdhan Pass to Gurej. Rohtas also informed the officiating commander that in the fire fight some eight militants alias Pak soldiers were killed and rest ran away.
Col RS was not happy because his planned mission had failed but he knew it can happen in any situation. He got the satisfaction that he had thwarted a well planned mission of Pakistan Army---------though by default. He recommended Rohtas and Subramaniyam for Ashoka Chakra and Kirti chakra, respectively. He made recommendations for awards to others members of the team also.He was sure they would get it.
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15 August 1999. Gallantry awards were announced by the government of India for the WAR LIKE SITUATION in KARGIL. There were some 153 awards announced. There were FOUR PVC. There was none for the brigade of COL RS. To rub the salt on his wounds, he was given Northern Army Commander's Commendation Card for this operation which was never executed. He felt ashamed on taking credit for someone else's bravery. But he knew that it was very common amongst the senior officers to take the credit for the jobs done by their subordinates.
He was particularly touched when he met Maya Rani mother of the dead soldier Ranjit Singh. She was crying for her son because he was the sole bread earner of the family. She revealed to him that her husband had died in the 1971 war. She did not want all the money but her son back. Col RS felt guilty and responsible for this stupid operation which he had planned. The wailing mother made him think of the many mothers who lose their sons in such skirmishes. Is it worth to die like this and leave your near and dear ones high and dry? Mrs Maya Rani told him of the fake promises made to her by the Government and the army when her husband had died in the 1971 war. She was promised a petrol pump but was never given. She was clear that nothing would be given now also.
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10 January 2002. Col RS was deployed for Operation Prakaram in the Jammu sector. He remembered the case of late Sep Ranjit Singh of 10 Jak Rif and his mother Maya Rani. He knew the village was near MUTHI DAMANAA. He went in search of her. He inquired in the village. He was told that Maya Rani had got Rs 10 Lakhs from the government. Her brother came and took her away. She gave all the money to her brother and his sons. A year back she was thrown out by the nephews after the death of their father. Now she lived as a beggar near Raghunath Temple in Jammu town.
Col RS also saw a SEPOY RANJIT SINGH Statue errected in the village. He was told the statue was created by the district administration for Rs two lacs. But this was the money which was due to Maya Rani from J&K state government. He saw stray cattle relaxing next to the statue and some animal dung lying all around it.
Col RS was disgusted. He realized the falsehood attached with the gallantry awards and the lofty words spoken on these great days. He decided then and there to shed his olive green and never be fooled by the fake glory that goes along with it.
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This was the story he had given to Ajit Shukla. But Shukla had turned it into a Block Buster. He talked of the intelligence picture built by Col RS on the likely infiltration of a column of Pak army- --------selecting a team of dare devils to intervene and ambush this team of 35 hardcore trained soldiers with just 12 men---------personally monitoring the progress of the operation-----there was no mention of the real operation planned----------he further glamorized Rohtas and Subramaniyam's acts with lot of hand to hand fights with the militants and what not. ------Shukla had ended with questions: if the bravery of these men is to be left non-honoured? He had emotionally blackmailed people. Same thing happens on all the se so called BIGDAYS SUCH AS 'VIJAY DIVAS'---politicians and NETAS bemotionally blackmail people----they ask people to contribute monetarily ---while none of these rascals pays from their own pockets---not even 50 paisa---check records of their donations--------Col RS was feeling small----------after all truth is always a causality when glamor takes over. TV channel was interested in enhancing its TRP------Col RS was getting the KUDOS, uncomfortable but still accepting it ------ but what about that BEGGING OLD WOMAN MAYA RANI , near Raghunath Mandir ? Will she get the food tonight ? If so, then this will be her victory---her VIJAY DIVAS---rest all is a farce---whether the day is celebrated at DRAS or DELHI----Whether some UPA minister attends or some retired General talks big from the podium-----it is all meaningless nuances-----Nothing is going to change Maya Rani's plight? If you really want to change her plight: Go feed her at Raguhnath Temple---if you can find her---if she is NOT already dead.

© rajee kushwaha., all rights reserved.

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