The weather was at its mischievous worst, extremely windy with heavy rain and snow fall; at the military forward post on “Point 4810”, somewhere near the Punj sector of J&K. The story goes back to a period, when myself, Rakesh DubeyCobra Vir Chakra; as a young combat officer was deployed for combat operations in that area, my outfit comprised of mountainous region hilly “Garhwali” troops. We were a tough, menacingly deadly and lethal group of combat soldiers, totally dedicated to our cause, had no liking for Pakistani people, their religion, their belief, their culture and their existence as a Pakistan Nation. We were deployed on the LOC, the demarcation of the Pakistani Occupied Kashmir; and were absolutely aware that Pakistan was a Rogue Nation, the Nation which had no intention, scruples to exercise the rules of engagement in any encounter. They are known to push inside India; the Terrorists, POKs innocent civilians, both old and women; smugglers and forcefully picked, abducted and blackmailed, able bodied Youngman of POK, as spies.
There was two more forward military post ahead of Point 4810, at lower heights towards the LOC; on the LOC and nearest to Pakistani army forward most post, “Jhanda Tekri”, was our “Panther Post”, the separating distance of India and Pakistani post was similar to a length of a volley ball court. The two armies were therefore deployed at a talking distance from each other. I knew each and every Pakistani soldier, deployed there; by face, habit and conduct. They were all Pakistani Punjabi troops, conversationalist of only Punjabi language, and therefore we understood almost everything what they spoke. We hated and disliked each other and most of the time we exercised self style shoot at sight orders. I and my soldiers enjoyed each and every moment and day of our deployment there; our activities were totally challenging and highly exciting, demanding the extreme test of our military worth and training. This was a combat soldier’s dream of life time. At slightest provocation, we would not hesitate to sharpen and improve our shooting skills by testing our specialized weapon on the Pakistani’s. The motto “Who Dares Wins” was in practice all the time. The distance from Point 4810 to our forward most post on the LOC, had depth of probably more than 2km; this depth and the length all along the LOC was heavily mined, totally fenced and was under our constant surveillance 24/7 and 365 days. Since the area was heavily mined and fenced, entering the area was difficult by the untrained; with no human traffic inside, the area had developed into a thick Jungle, including abode, ensuring natural protection and breeding of variety of dangerous wild animals; many a time dangerous wild mountain black panther, leopards, wild cats could be seen roaming inside our military post, attracted by large number of sheep and goats kept as meat on hoof by us. As a self rule we never hurt and killed any wild animal in the area.
The Pakistani, Punjab regiment company facing us, was officered by one Capt Rashid, a tough and handsome Punjabi man, and so was I, extremely fit, tall and muscular, and would not have hesitated to kill Rashid with my bare hand; our intention were well known to each other, he was also equally waiting for a chance to do the same. We occasionally spoke without regret, depending on our mood; he being married, when he received a letter from his wife; and I being a bachelor, whenever, I had a good meal and beer. Yes! Occasionally, Rashid requested for a bottle of Indian Army Rum from us, a drink very popular with the Pakistani Army; the bottle which we rolled to him during such burst of Glad Moments. However, such bonhomie did not prevent us from shenanigans killing of a Pakistani, our sniper always remained alert, defiladed; a silhouette of the enemy was enough for our sniper to take a potshot. I was very sure, the Pakistanis had similar plans and designs for us, all the time.
My troops were very clearly instructed by me, without any iota of doubt; that they are in a highly volatile combat environment, and if ever, they are found wanting or fail, they are to be blamed, and nobody else; and will find no sympathy from me whatsoever. A combat soldiers, pride and the National spirit will ensure that his Guard is Never Down, He should be Brave and not Foolhardy, He should Kill and Not Get Killed. I had made it clear; I want Lethality and not Lethargy, I want Courage and not Cowardice, I want Alertness and not Aloofness. IF A COMBAT SOLDIER CANNOT KEEP HIS MENTAL AND PHYSICAL STATE IN THE COMBAT ZONE, HE SHOULD LEAVE JOB AND GO HOME THAT WAS MY HARSH MESSAGE TO ALL. THE COMBAT SOLDIERING IS A PASSION NOT A NAUKARI. As professional combat soldiers, we never took malice, of any repugnant act of the Pakistanis, I knew they are Rogues, and therefore needed a Thorough Professional Military Handling. THE POLITICIANS, MAY PLAN AND DECIDE ANYTHING, BUT WE SHOULD KNOW WHAT WE HAVE TO DO? WE FACE THE ACTUAL COMBAT SITUATION ON GROUND, FACING THE BRUNT ALL THE TIME.
As always, that night, I had planned to lay an ambush on the LOC, the information was specific; a Pakistani spy was being pushed inside, from area between Point 4890 and Point 4810, the valley was narrow, therefore I could guess the exact location of the ingress, and had rightly plotted the pinpoint spot where the ambush will be tactically sited and positioned. We were very close to “Jhanda Tekri” post of the Pakistanis on the LOC, a very dangerous situation.
At exactly 2100hrs (9 PM), we were in position, the ambush tactically sited, awaiting the target subject. The weather continued to remain harsh and volatile, visibility was very poor, and our task to catch the Pakistani intruder alive had made the combat goal relatively more difficult. The wait was quite long and strenuous; the added degree of difficulty was multiplied by extreme harsh weather. It was at 2300 hrs (11PM), the target entered the ambush killing zone; the man was complacent, careless and was oblivious of the impending danger lurking around him. He was also over confident, being so close to the LOC and Pakistani “Jhanda Tekri” Post; that he was making enough noise, without fear probably; for my professional combat soldiers to easily visualize, feel and clearly pick his presence inside the Ambush killing zone. Not to be killed; we ordered him to stop; He was alone, we could safely presume; On hearing our warning, the intruder, possibly took to his heels, nothing was visible, it was only the creak and crackle of dry wood under his heavy boots, that was easily indicating his line of move. My soldiers were a professional lot, the Pakistani intruder had no scope or chance therefore to escape from our clutches; the ambush stops, fired two single shots from their silencer fitted automatic weapons, and we heard a deep groan and thud of a fall. And in a whiff, like a Panther on prowl, we overpowered him, covering him with our Rain Cape, we flashed our military flash lights on him, the man had taken two straight bullets shots, on his thighs, not much damage it appeared, he would survive if given proper medical aid.
We searched him; he had only Rupees 1000 Indian currency notes on himself, and nothing else. However, we found him profusely crying clutching a Photograph in his hand, an unusual behavior at this moment; he seemed unconcerned, despite the fact that he had severe gunshot wounds; on closer scrutiny of the photograph, we saw his picture alongside one young woman and small lovely little girl; attired in Kashmiri dress, affectionately holding each other. The man seemed very poor, as demonstrated by his demeanor, a POK resident, being threatened, blackmailed and coerced to do something heinous in India. The man was continuously uttering and requesting almost begging us to save him; he wanted to live; wanted to meet his wife and little daughter at any cost. Surprising! It seems at that moment? Why would, therefore, he undertook this dangerous task? Separating from his young wife and little daughter, and leaving them behind, all alone. The Pakistani Intruders behavior, did not match with his action on ground, and we were certainly eager to know the genesis of his unusual act. On detail probing we learnt, that the man had no subversive or heinous design against India; he was a victim of total Poverty; Backwardness; Lack of Infrastructure, Social Security and Progress in Pakistan. He was Intruding into India to purchase and arrange for medical treatment of his ailing wife. This aspect was something; I had not expected from this encounter; I felt terribly hurt; I was disturbed; I was not married, but I could easily fathom the agony, the pain of this Pakistani man. I had to save him, I decided; not only that, I have to unite this Pakistani man with his ailing wife and daughter. “I will save you” I said, and gave him a locket of “HANUMAN”
We gave him a heavy dose of morphine injection, on his thighs; cleaned and dressed the wounds with the medicated Shell Dressing Bandages. The man was holding the locket tightly and praying, a sure authentication of that desperation to meet his family. We were Hindu Combat Soldiers, WISDOM, COMPASSION AND COURAGE WERE THEREFORE OUR MORAL QUALITIES. I DECIDED TO TAKE RISK, IF I WIN, I WOULD BE HAPPY, IF I LOSE I WOULD GET WISE. I decided to get this Pakistani intruder united with his family at all cost. The soldiering also gave us proficiency in human Psychology; and therefore I surely understood his Psyche. The man loved his family, therefore helping him at a time, when he is least expecting it, will make him indebted to us for life. TRUE COURAGE IS ABOUT KNOWING NOT WHEN TO TAKE A LIFE BUT WHEN TO SPARE IT.
NEVER REGRET, WISDOM IS TO DECIDE AND INTEGRITY IS TO ACT
After 5 hours of ordeal; and after absolute confirmation of the Pakistani intruder innocence; I decided to act on my wisdom; the decision to unite the Pakistani intruder with his family. It was day break; the Pakistani Intruder was stable, under medication; and ready for journey back to his village, which was located right in front, across the LOC, approximately 3 KM inside POK, a visible distance in Dabsi valley. The task was not easy, with Pakistani Army in-between being the main obstacle. My training said “AT TIMES IT IS NOT GOOD TO DESTROY YOUR ENEMY; IT IS GOOD TO TRANSFORM HIM”.
I did the same thing; My voice through the mega- phone, was crystal clear; directed to Capt Rashid, across to the Pakistani Post; “Rashid, I am stepping out in open; on top of the bunker; I will not be armed; and I need your assistance”. “Assistance to make one of your wounded Pakistani civilian, reach his ailing wife and his daughter.” I continued, “The choice is yours, you can ask your men to shoot me; or else you yourself can step out to assist me”. “I assure you”. I said, and added further, “We are Hindus, if we give our word, we shall not go back on it” With that statement, I stepped out; into open; standing on Top of the Bunker; in full view of the Pakistanis. All along, our relations had hinge on Self Style, “Shoot at Sight” orders. I was ready for the worst reaction from the Pakistanis; a reaction anticipated due to their demonstrated history. In spite of this fact, I had to take this Risk, to fulfill my Promise. Capt Rashid stepped out, in open; “I am a Muslim”, he said, “I will also not do anything, which will defame my religion.” "Tell me, for what you need assistance?” “I have a wounded Pakistani, with me, wounded by our gunshots,” I said; and further “He wishes to be united with his ailing wife, just 3km behind your Post, in Dabsi village;” “Your assistance can be in two ways?” “Capt Rashid;” “Either, you allow us to take him there?” “Or,” “You promise, that your men will undertake this responsibility?” “Where is the wounded man?” Capt Rashid inquired; “Look to your right Capt Rashid, behind that thick bush, he is there; properly medicated, and ready for journey” I replied. “OK” he affirmed; “can we pick him up?” He said. “No! Rashid, not till you promise, that he will be united with his wife and child; and he and his wife will be medically treated, till they recover completely and are fit?” “Come on, without fuss I promise you that,” He said giving a confirming grin. “All yours then”, “Capt Rashid,” “I wish you all the best” I said. I stood there on the bunker till Pakistani soldiers, removed the wounded Pakistan, to the safety of their post. Capt Rashid also remained fixed on top of his post, bunker. “GOOD BYE "KAFIR" CAPT RASHID,” I SHOUTED WAVING ADIOS TO HIM; “WHY DO YOU CALL ME KAFIR? HINDUSTANI! I AM A MUSLIM” HE RETORTED. “YOU DO NOT BELIEVE IN HINDUISM! THAT IS WHY?" "RASHID” I REPLIED BACK, WITH A GRIN. “BYE BYE RASHID, DO NOT BE SEEN HEREAFTER, OR ELSE I WILL BLOW YOUR HEAD,” I JOKED; "DON’T DO THAT HINDUSTANI, I AM MARRIED, IF YOU DISFIGURE MY FACE, MY WIFE, WILL NOT RECOGNIZE ME; WHEN I AM DEAD! YOU CAN HIT ME ON THE CHEST.” “RASHID YOU CAN PROMISE YOUR WIFE; THAT YOU WILL REACH HOME SAFELY; THAT IS HINDU’S WORD HIS PROMISE. “AND YES! RASHID; I HAVE HIDDEN A SPECIAL OLD MONK RUM BOTTLE WITH THE WOUNDED MAN; AS A GIFT FOR YOU.” "BYE, BYE, RASHID" "FROM A HINDUSTANI.”
IT’S NOT THE GOODBYES THAT HURTS BUT THE FLASHBACK THAT FOLLOWS.
(The Exact Location, Sector of Operation and Certain Military Operation Details, and Names Withheld and Not Disclosed.)
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