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Lt. Saurabh Kalia
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Born in Palampur district
in the Kangra Valley of Himachal Pradesh, Captain Saurabh Kalia was brilliant
in academics and effortlessly secured scholarships throughout his schooling
years. After completing his graduation in May 1997, Saurabh was selected
in the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun in August 1997, through the Combined
Defence Services and was commissioned on December 12, 1998.
Lt. Saurabh Kalia of 4 JAT
Regiment of the Indian Army laid down his life at the young age of 22 for
the nation while guarding the frontiers at Kargil. His parents, indeed
the Indian Army and nation itself, lost a dedicated, honest and brave son.
He was the first officer
to detect and inform about Pakistani intrusion. Pakistan captured him and
his patrol party of 5
brave men alive on May 15,
1999 from the Indian side of LOC. They were kept in captivity for three
weeks and
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subjected to unprecedented brutal
torture, evident from their bodies handed over by Pakistan Army on June
9, 1999.
The Pakistanis indulged in
dastardly acts of inflicting burns on these Indian officers with cigarettes,
piercing their ears with hot rods, removing their eyes before puncturing
them and breaking most of the bones and teeth. They even chopped off various
limbs and private organs of the Indian soldiers besides inflicting unimaginable
physical and mental torture.
After 22 days of torture,
the brave soldiers were ultimately shot dead. A detailed post-mortem report
is with the Indian Army. Pakistan dared to humiliate India this way flouting
all international norms. They proved the extent to which they can degrade
humanity. However, the Indian soldiers did not break while undergoing all
this unimaginable barbarism, which speaks volumes of their patriotism,
grit, determination, tenacity and valour - something all of India should
be proud of. Sacrificing oneself for the nation is an honour every soldier
would be proud of, but no parent, army or nation can accept what happened
to
these brave sons of India
. I am afraid every parent may think twice to send their child in the armed
forces if we all fall short of our duty in safeguarding the PRISONERS OF
WAR AND LET THEM MEET THE FATE OF LT.SAURABH KALIA.
It may also send a demoralising
signal to the army personnel fighting for the Nation that our POWs in Pak
cannot be taken care of. It is a matter of shame and disgust that most
of Indian Human Rights Organisations by and large, showed apathy in this
matter. Through this humble submission, may I appeal to all the civilized
people irrespective of colour, caste, region, religion and political lineage
to stir their conscience and rise to take this as a NATIONAL ISSUE !!!
International Human Rights Organizations must be approached to expose and
pressure Pakistan to identify, book and punish all those who perpetrated
this heinous crime to our men in uniform. If Pakistan is allowed to go
unpunished in this case, we can only imagine the consequences. Below is
the list of 5 other soldiers who preferred to die for the country rather
than open their mouths in front of enemy -
1. Sep. Arjun Ram s/o Sh. Chokka
Ram; Village & PO
Gudi. Teh. & Dist.
Nagaur, (Rajasthan)
2. Sep. Bhanwar Lal Bagaria
h/o Smt. Santosh Devi;
Village Sivelara;Teh.&
Dist.Sikar (Rajasthan)
3. Sep. Bhikaram h/o Smt.
Bhawri Devi; Village
Patasar; Teh.
Pachpatva;Distt.Barmer (Rajasthan)
4. Sep. Moola Ram h/o Smt.
Rameshwari Devi; Village
Katori; Teh. Jayal;Dist.
Nagaur(Rajasthan)
5. Sep. Naresh Singh h/o
Smt... Kalpana Devi; Village
Chhoti Tallam;
Teh.Iglab; Dist.Aligarh
(UP)
Yours truly,
Dr. N.K. Kalia (Lt. Saurabh
Kalia's father).
Saurabh Nagar,
Palampur-176061
Himachal Pradesh
Tel: +91 (01894) 32065
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