Father of Kargil Hero Vikram Batra Criticizes Pakistan Army for Torture
Mandi (Himachal Pradesh) [India], September 8: Following Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir’s acknowledgement of the Pakistani Army’s role in the 1999 Kargil War with India, GL Batra, the father of Kargil War hero Vikram Batra, criticized the Pak forces for torture inflicted on the Indian soldiers.
Speaking on Saturday, Batra noted that it has been 25 years since Dr. NK Kalia, father of Captain Saurabh Kalia, an officer of the Indian Army who was killed in action during the Kargil War, is seeking justice. “When they are saying that there was the involvement of the Pakistan Army in this, it is clear that whatever torture inflicted on those soldiers was done by the Pakistan Army. It has been 25 years now since Dr. Kalia sought justice. He is fighting for this in the International Law Court and is moving forward with the hope that he will get justice,” Batra said.
Captain Kalia was captured by the Pakistani forces during the Kargil War and killed after being subjected to brutal torture. His father, NK Kalia, expressed heavy concerns about the torture against his son and said that the actions of the Pakistan Army violated the Geneva Convention. He even filed a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking the Central government to take the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
“When the Pakistan Army Chief has accepted the fact that the entire Kargil war was initiated by the Pakistan Army, then if something can be done to give peace to the hearts of those old parents, it should be done,” Batra added. He further stated that he wants India and Pakistan to live together in peace and it is for the good of both countries. “I want both the neighbouring countries to live together in peace like good neighbours. This is the progress of both countries,” he said.
In apparently the first such public acknowledgement, Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir on Friday acknowledged the role of the Pakistan Army in the Kargil War with India in 1999. The Pakistan Army chief made the remarks during the Defence Day address on September 6 in Rawalpindi. “Pakistan is a bold and courageous nation and knows the importance of freedom and the price to pay for it. Be it 1948, 1965, 1971 (wars), the Kargil War, or the Siachen conflict, thousands of soldiers sacrificed their lives for the country,” the Pak Army Chief said, according to a video of his address posted by Geo News.
The Kargil War was fought for more than 60 days and ended on July 26, 1999, with a gallant victory for India. Indian armed forces successfully reclaimed the command of the high outposts, which were treacherously occupied by Pakistani soldiers during the winter months. Kargil Vijay Diwas, named after the success of Operation Vijay, is celebrated on July 26 every year and rich tributes are paid to bravehearts who laid down their lives for the country.
Doubts Revealed
Kargil War -: The Kargil War was a conflict between India and Pakistan that took place in 1999 in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir. It was fought because Pakistani soldiers and militants had crossed the Line of Control (LoC) and occupied Indian territory.
Vikram Batra -: Vikram Batra was an Indian Army officer who became a hero during the Kargil War. He was known for his bravery and was awarded the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military honor, posthumously.
GL Batra -: GL Batra is the father of Vikram Batra. He has been vocal about the sacrifices made by his son and other soldiers during the Kargil War.
Pakistan Army -: The Pakistan Army is the land-based military branch of Pakistan. During the Kargil War, they were involved in the conflict against Indian forces.
Torture -: Torture means causing severe pain or suffering to someone, often to get information or as punishment. In this context, it refers to the cruel treatment of Indian soldiers by the Pakistan Army during the Kargil War.
Dr. NK Kalia -: Dr. NK Kalia is the father of Captain Saurabh Kalia, an Indian soldier who was captured and tortured by the Pakistan Army during the Kargil War. Dr. Kalia has been fighting for justice for his son for many years.
Captain Saurabh Kalia -: Captain Saurabh Kalia was an Indian Army officer who was captured and brutally tortured by the Pakistan Army during the Kargil War. His father, Dr. NK Kalia, has been seeking justice for his son’s treatment.
General Asim Munir -: General Asim Munir is the current Chief of the Pakistan Army. He recently acknowledged the role of the Pakistan Army in the Kargil War.
Peace between India and Pakistan -: Peace between India and Pakistan means that both countries would stop fighting and have friendly relations. GL Batra expressed a hope for such peace despite the painful history of the Kargil War.
