Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers patrol the fenced border with Pakistan in Suchetgarh, southwest of Jammu January 16, 2013. PHOTO: REUTERS
A senior Pakistani military official has been quoted as saying that Pakistan, in the past, played down these incidents. They have been brought up following a series of killings of soldiers on both sides of the LoC recently. Pakistan has said three of its soldiers were killed in cross-border shooting while India says two of its soldiers were killed by Pakistani troops and one beheaded. The news of the beheading, amidst much hype by the Indian media, had unleashed a wave of anger across that country, which continues, even though things at the LoC have calmed down over the last two weeks.
The whole matter of the beheadings is, of course, extremely distasteful. The idea of trained soldiers indulging in mutilations that amount to war crimes is hard to digest. Suspicions have been raised of militant involvement but the accounts now coming in suggest that men wearing their country’s uniforms may be involved. War reporters have told of heads being taken away and displayed as ‘trophies’, for instance, during the Kargil war. Such barbarism is unacceptable. Military leaders on both sides need to intervene in this matter, while it is also important to get to the bottom of the various incidents cited and ensure they do not occur again.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2013.
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One suggestion to Pakistan - Why don't you guys take the issue of Pakistani soldiers who were beheaded by the Taliban to the international court or the UN??? Because they were 'Strategic assets'??
E.T., for the umpteeth time, please learn to establish good relations with Pakistan's armed forces to get up to date news, rather than fishing for news on Indian media websites. I and a lot of other Pakistanis greatly appreciate the high standard of journalism and indeed professionalism you display, it is commendable. Please take it a step further and work in unision with ISPR so that, even though you may disagree, at least you know the ISPR's take on events.
Pakistan claims now that 12 soldiers are beheaded. How credible is this? If its true ... believe me ...Indian public opinion will ask for a public inquiry and those Indian soldiers identified. But as a normal Indian, I am not able to trust pakistan's report. Who are the 12 soldiers who were beheaded ..when and where and how where they beheaded...what is the reaction of their families ?
If someone from my family was beheaded..do you think I will stay listen? I would be calling all media outlets ..protesting. I am sure every pak soldier's family can easily protest and make it a big issue ...for 12 years none of the families protested? There was not even smoke? Pakistan instead of calling Indian ambassor and registering protest, "silencing" files a protest report to UN...I am sorry ..I do not think Pakistan is telling the truth.
I want Indian soldiers to fight and if need die with honor and I want them to do the same to their enemies. I hope Pak media investigates these murders, track the families ..find out if there is some truth to these ...
@editor: " ... A senior Pakistani military official has been quoted as saying that Pakistan, in the past, played down these incidents ... "
I believe reports of Pakistani soldiers being beheaded are true. And there is a reason why the Pakistani authorities did not raise the issue. What happened is that the Pakistani Army aided and abetted a LeT raid which resulted in a massacre of 100+ Hindus in Jammu sector. Of course there was a reprisal raid into Pakistan held territory which resulted in loss of civilian life.
The loss of non-combatant life on both sides was unnecessary.
Pakistan must show some sanity and dismantle gangs such as the LeT.
It was only Parveen Swami, a repoter from the esteemed the Hindu newspaper that broke this story where was Pakistani media ? When India was going bizerk none of our reporters did anything to help investigate the facts including ET. This story is already a week old now.