LOSS OF LIFE IS UNEXCEPTABLE

 LOSS OF LIFE IS UNEXCEPTABLE

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

14/IX/2023

Sons of India got martyred yesterday and many are battling for their lives in various hospitals. A tragic day for 19 RR, their parent units, J&K Police, and our country.

My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the brave hearts. May their souls rest in peace.

‘Lashkar’ is the group involved, they say. Where does this group have its origins? And we are playing cricket with those Bs. Telecasting rights earn revenue. My foot! Life of a soldier doesn’t come cheap. Another soldier will replace him, but cricket cannot wait. What nonsense!

To take on terrorists in such mountainous and forested terrain is not a joke. Hats off to the CO who led from the front. Both he and his Company Commander were already decorated with gallantry awards. Another decoration will find no chest to proudly wear them. Widows and orphans will keep feeling the pain, every time they see those medals, with no one to wipe their tears.

While taking an oath to uphold the Indian constitution we pledged our lives to the nation. By land, sea, or air, we shall go where ever ordered, even at the peril of our lives. We who have passed out of the portals of various Military Academies keep our promise to the nation in letter and spirit. It is nation first always and every time.

News channels kindly don’t seko your TRP on this tragic news. A common citizen has so much to bother about, which you fail to cover. Media makes it disgusting by shoving mikes into the mouths of family members of the deceased. Keep away. Don’t make it a tamasha. Let ‘us’ mourn our fallen in the dignity they deserve.

Media guys, you have politics and politicians to thrive on. Let us see you taking their pants down for this. Veterans, please stay away from National Television. Media knows how to manipulate you. Tomorrow, they will pitch you against political party spokespersons, who will blame the loss on you.

I heard some veterans say, the informer double crossed the unit. If we did not know it and expect it then we had become complacent. Loss is not acceptable whatsoever. I hope that informer and his accomplices have been taken to task. Having functioned with them, these guys can lead you to death.

Their bravery, tactical acumen, and knowledge of operational hazards, in an area which was lying dominant for quite some years is outstanding. Militants find such places lucrative to hurt us.

In such operations risks had to be taken and the price has been paid. Now is the time to escalate costs for all those who train, abet, support, provide safe havens and give terrorists information about us.

A lull doesn’t mean all is well. A lull is the time to consolidate. These vermin have to be pulled out of every hideout and hole. Don’t capture them alive. Make it easy for them to get their promised 72. Law is too complicated and so are the human rights sissy’s. They will never open their gobs for the human rights of the KIA soldiers. Let the courts understand or let judges be part of such operations.

Winning hearts and minds of a ‘brainwashed population’ is difficult. Aim is to give the people confidence in what India believes in. It is their betterment and progress. Their livelihoods and prosperity. The false narratives of Pakistan need to be exposed.

I was speaking to a honeymoon couple recently who ‘’dared to go to the valley. They were scared when they left. On their return it was not a surprise what they revealed. From hotels, to taxi drivers, to pony drivers, all are double crossers and double-faced people.

‘They’ spoke of India as a ‘dushman’ and terrorised this young couple, so that they discourage others from coming to Kashmir. These guys are in touch with militant groups & their handlers. Every businessman and shopkeeper pays a ransom or faces a death penalty. Lt Governor Saab are you listening. Grass roots need to be re-indoctrinated and the time is ripe.

If Pakistan says it will raise costs for Afghanistan and Taliban for their own security. Then we too need to now announce a jihad against this rogue state, otherwise they shall continue supporting terrorism unabated. Enough is enough.

I am sure 19 RR and other units will avenge each death in an appropriate manner. Let us all join our hands in prayers for the departed souls and their families. A minute's silence would do.

My heart is heavy as I key these words. My conscience churns and my blood boils deep inside as I feel helpless.

HM Saab, are such losses acceptable to you? I wonder!!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND
© ® NOEL ELLIS