Brig Jagbir Singh Grewal (retd)
OUR Army personnel have always shown a remarkable humane approach, more so, whenever the civil population is involved, even if it is Pakistan’s population.
In earlier times in J&K, no barbed wire fencing barricaded the India-Pak Line of Control (LoC). Lack of fencing proved quite a boon for Pakistani villagers settled across the LoC to sneak into India's side, mainly for tree or grass cutting. The trend was to venture into the Indian side, but remain just close to the LoC for such misdemeanors, and flee back when detected. Such incursions were quite a nuisance, but tree cutting could be easily detected due to the 'tak, tak' noise of the axe. A considerate, humanitarian view was adopted because the civil population was involved. According to the Standing Procedure, we would fire a warning shot close to the miscreant, warning him to move back. In case the culprit did not desist, the second shot to kill or incapacitate him was to be fired after the lapse of a few minutes. However, such an occasion hardly arose. Though at times, a stubborn culprit would enjoy an interval of a couple of hours, and re-appear to pursue his hazardous but lucrative task.
One sultry noon, an old man ventured and sat just close to the LoC for grass cutting. He had taken a shrewd decision to hide in the tall grass and simultaneously wield his sickle. The thick, green, crunchy grass was irresistible fodder. His own side of the LoC had been denuded of such grass as soon as it had erupted, as the grazers were many. It was a risky mission, but he had done his calculations. When confronted, he could just take a side roll off the cliff and roll over into his side of the LoC.
Our patrol positioned in bunkers in close proximity of the LoC noticed this to and fro swaying of the tall grass. Suspecting it to be either some animal or at worst an infiltrator, our jawan shouted, “Kaun hai”? He was just about to fire his weapon when the old man hastily stood up. He waved his sickle and shrieked in a quivering voice that he was just cutting grass. He was told to drop his sickle and come over to the bunker. He came over and pleaded for mercy and for water in the same breath. A water bottle was instantly handed over to him. After the old man had taken a large sip of water, it dawned on the patrol party that the old man was not feigning but was actually shell shocked. He divulged that he was the Numberdar's father and much more. He was apprehensive that a frantic search must be on to trace him. Soon the Pakistani post commander emerged holding a white flag and stood partially screened by a huge rock. He repeatedly screamed at the top of his voice in chaste Punjabi, “Khuda de vaaste, saada budda wapis kar diyo, sadi naukri kharab ho gayi” (for God’s sake, return our old man, our job is spoiled). This melodrama continued for some time till our post commander responded that intrusions across the LoC should be stopped. The Pakistani post commander vowed, “Kasam se, koi bhi ab LoC paar nahin karega, aur lakri ya ghas katne nahin ayega” (henceforth no one will neither cross the LoC nor indulge in tree or grass cutting).
The old man was given a hearty meal and 'shakarparas' by our jawans from their own tiffin boxes and sent back. Sure enough, the Pakistani post commander kept his word, for during our tenure, no foolhardy daredevil ventured into our side of the LoC. The Pakistani post commander had indeed brokered peace and no ceasefire violation occurred thereafter.
No comments:
Post a Comment