'Abolish AFSPA and hand over Kashmir to the LeT'
-Colonel (Dr) Anil Athale
(Colonel (Dr) Anil Athale (retd) on why AFSPA should not be repealed in parts of Jammu and Kashmir)
Some days ago, this author happened to watch on television a discussion on Irom Sharmila's marathon fast. One was left thunderstruck when one young girl from Delhi, suddenly interjected saying, "so the soldiers just shoot anyone they feel like!" The well-known female anchor with larger than life image of self and with a pancake makeup, nodded knowingly with an understanding 'tut tut'.
The fact that it was a pre-recorded programme meant that the editor did not feel the need to edit out this outrageous remark. But more was to follow. On November 4, the Economic Times (page 14) thundered editorially, 'Repeal the AFSPA: India's democracy has no place for this brutal law that has been in place for 53 years.' The editorial went on to then quote the United Nations, Amnesty International in support.
It also famously went on to say that the act has failed in the north-east. It went on to say that the act has 'left a trail of corpses' presumably it refers to 'civilians' only for thousands of soldiers who died battling Naga or Mizo rebels do not count! This is not so bizarre at it sounds, for there is a clamour of late about the 2,000 odd graves in Kashmir... mostly of militants who infiltrated but no mention of the 5,000 Indian soldiers who died during the same period!
What will happen if the act is repealed?
Let us conjure up a scenario that would unfold in case this act is repealed.
A battalion on the Line of Control in Kashmir gets information that a group of 10 militants, five Pakistani citizens and five Kashmiris, have infiltrated through the LoC and are moving towards Baramulla town. The report says that they are equipped with AK-47 rifles, bazookas and grenades. The infiltration was facilitated by the Pakistani Army by firing on our posts to give cover. The information is authentic as en-route the infiltrators killed two soldiers and wounded three.
This information was obtained from a wounded soldier before he succumbed to his injuries (dying declaration). The battalion commander alerted his reserve company to stop them and intercept them before they enter Baramulla town so as to avoid casualties to civilians.
It was close to midnight, the battalion commander rang up the nearest judicial magistrate at Uri. He was told that the sahib had retired for the day and he should ring up next morning. As he rang up the magistrate next day, the reports had come in that the infiltrators had crossed over to other tehsil. The magistrate politely told the officer that he should instead contact Bandipora tehsil.
In another instance, the infiltrators had established themselves on a hilltop. Since a presence of magistrate was necessary to take action, he was requested to accompany the troops. But halfway up the mountain, the magistrate complained of chest pain and could not proceed further. The pursuit was then abandoned.
In a third instance, the battalion was lucky. A patrol accompanied by magistrate encountered a group of armed men. According to procedure, the magistrate warned them to surrender, but instead the group took position and began firing. The magistrate escaped but two soldiers died on the spot. Three Pakistani citizens were overpowered and brought back to the headquarters. There they were charged with 'waging war' against the state.
At the last news the trial was going on in high court and the court did not find evidence to substantiate the charge that they had actually fired. They were therefore charged under violation of the Passport Act. Since they had already served over ten years, they were released immediately and repatriated through the Wagah border. Television channels hailed it as the triumph of the Indian justice system.
Think and Support your Troops .. dont let these ISI paid agents raise their voice against our Army.
Jai Hind
-Colonel (Dr) Anil Athale
(Colonel (Dr) Anil Athale (retd) on why AFSPA should not be repealed in parts of Jammu and Kashmir)
Some days ago, this author happened to watch on television a discussion on Irom Sharmila's marathon fast. One was left thunderstruck when one young girl from Delhi, suddenly interjected saying, "so the soldiers just shoot anyone they feel like!" The well-known female anchor with larger than life image of self and with a pancake makeup, nodded knowingly with an understanding 'tut tut'.
The fact that it was a pre-recorded programme meant that the editor did not feel the need to edit out this outrageous remark. But more was to follow. On November 4, the Economic Times (page 14) thundered editorially, 'Repeal the AFSPA: India's democracy has no place for this brutal law that has been in place for 53 years.' The editorial went on to then quote the United Nations, Amnesty International in support.
It also famously went on to say that the act has failed in the north-east. It went on to say that the act has 'left a trail of corpses' presumably it refers to 'civilians' only for thousands of soldiers who died battling Naga or Mizo rebels do not count! This is not so bizarre at it sounds, for there is a clamour of late about the 2,000 odd graves in Kashmir... mostly of militants who infiltrated but no mention of the 5,000 Indian soldiers who died during the same period!
What will happen if the act is repealed?
Let us conjure up a scenario that would unfold in case this act is repealed.
A battalion on the Line of Control in Kashmir gets information that a group of 10 militants, five Pakistani citizens and five Kashmiris, have infiltrated through the LoC and are moving towards Baramulla town. The report says that they are equipped with AK-47 rifles, bazookas and grenades. The infiltration was facilitated by the Pakistani Army by firing on our posts to give cover. The information is authentic as en-route the infiltrators killed two soldiers and wounded three.
This information was obtained from a wounded soldier before he succumbed to his injuries (dying declaration). The battalion commander alerted his reserve company to stop them and intercept them before they enter Baramulla town so as to avoid casualties to civilians.
It was close to midnight, the battalion commander rang up the nearest judicial magistrate at Uri. He was told that the sahib had retired for the day and he should ring up next morning. As he rang up the magistrate next day, the reports had come in that the infiltrators had crossed over to other tehsil. The magistrate politely told the officer that he should instead contact Bandipora tehsil.
In another instance, the infiltrators had established themselves on a hilltop. Since a presence of magistrate was necessary to take action, he was requested to accompany the troops. But halfway up the mountain, the magistrate complained of chest pain and could not proceed further. The pursuit was then abandoned.
In a third instance, the battalion was lucky. A patrol accompanied by magistrate encountered a group of armed men. According to procedure, the magistrate warned them to surrender, but instead the group took position and began firing. The magistrate escaped but two soldiers died on the spot. Three Pakistani citizens were overpowered and brought back to the headquarters. There they were charged with 'waging war' against the state.
At the last news the trial was going on in high court and the court did not find evidence to substantiate the charge that they had actually fired. They were therefore charged under violation of the Passport Act. Since they had already served over ten years, they were released immediately and repatriated through the Wagah border. Television channels hailed it as the triumph of the Indian justice system.
Think and Support your Troops .. dont let these ISI paid agents raise their voice against our Army.
Jai Hind
By: Indian Army Fans
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