Taken from e mail of Sri A Bhagra
Subject: FW: Sleep in Peace; We are on the Borders
> AN ARTICLE I READ TODAY………..SWELLS MY HEART WITH PRIDE
> Sleep in Peace; We are on the Borders
>
> I am an officer posted on the line of control. Yesterday was Sunday,
> and also Dussehra. Got to know it only from the newspapers that are
> spread before me- a day late by the time they reach my post. The nice
> part is that I receive a whole bundle after they have been pored over
> in the headquarters.
> We went out on an ambush last night. There was information that an
> infiltration attempt could be made through our area. I have been
> receiving the same information daily since the last six months.
> Hopefully we will have a fire fight tonight.
> Seven of us slipped out of our post, 300 m from the line of control,
> after last light. A half hour walk and we deployed in two groups. The
> weather gods were not happy (maybe because I didn’t know Navratras had
> begun). Light rain and mist descended and visibility was down to three
> metres. We try and peer through the white haze till the eyes hurt. I
> hear a soft snore on my left and give a hard nudge. Tomorrow, over a
> hot cup of tea after we return to the post, we will laugh and tease
> him.
> It’s midnight, cold and miserable. I flex my index finger to make sure
> it slips into the trigger guard in time to shoot the terrorist who
> might suddenly appear three steps from me. Suddenly, the chatter of
> machine guns jolts us out of complacency. It is followed by the soft
> ‘thump, thump’ of mortars ejecting their bombs. I am glad for the
> distraction, as the whole ambush is now fully alert.
>
>
>
>
> We wait for the mortar bombs to fall. Shit… they seem to be falling on
> my post. There are mixed feelings running through me. I am safe, but
> what about my soldiers on the post. The firing grows in intensity-
> rocket launchers and mortars open up from our side. It’s frustrating
> because we can’t see anything. I briefly think of returning to the
> post but have a job to do tonight, and there are good soldiers back on
> the post.
> We return in the morning and thankfully all is well. One splinter
> injury-flesh wound only, and a living shelter damaged. We all sit
> around a breakfast of hot puris and bhindis, exchanging anecdotes,
> feeling proud about how we weathered one more day on the line of
> control.
> A three hour nap and the first newspaper is spread before me.
> “Dropping guard at the LOC” is the headline of a Mail Today article.
> It says ‘Indian troops have been sitting ducks’ in the August incident
> and that the foiling of infiltration attempt in Keran ‘has been taken
> with a pinch of salt’. Harinder Baweja in Hindustan Times says that
> the Army has been ‘found wanting’. Tribune wanted to know ‘how porous
> is the security system’ on the LoC. Asian Age informs me that ‘Army is
> under attack from the MoD’. I always thought those attacking us were
> across the LoC. Should I now look over my shoulder?
> A large number of journalists are now questioning our tactics along
> the Line of Control. It is easy to pass judgment when sitting in
> air-conditioned offices and speaking on the telephone to
> ‘well-informed sources’ who have an equally comfortable chair. It is
> also unfortunate that some of our retired officers have also jumped on
> the media bandwagon to slam our ‘defensive mindset’ and ‘lapses’. Did
> no soldiers die when they were commanders? Has the army suddenly
> forgotten its ethos because some of our officers have retired?
> Let me not quote facts and figures because I have no access to them.
> My senior officers tell me that the security situation in J&K is
> improving. Violence, infiltration levels, civilian causalities are
> down, and there is less fear on the faces of people. I believe my
> seniors because I see it everyday.
> Can I do more? Maybe I can eke a little more out of my aching muscles
> and sleep filled eyes. Will it help? I don’t think so, because the
> newspapers will not cover what I do, but look for the one who does
> not. I just hope I am not one of their victims.
> I am an Indian Army officer- proud and confident. I know what I have
> to do. No other profession in the world demands that you lay down your
> life in the defence of people you do not even know. If you question my
> commitment, please be prepared to wear the Uniform and man the LoC in
> my place.
> P.S. Can’t avoid the last dig at the media. Read Sebastian Junger ‘War’.
