War News & Atrocity Tales from india PAKISTANI ARMY'S DASTARDLY ACT IS A SHAME TO HUMANITY The Pioneer http://www.the-pioneer.com/ Friday, June 11, 1999 New Delhi (Pioneer News Service) - In one of the most brutal acts, the Pakistan Army tortured six Indian soldiers, including a young Lieutenant, gouged their eyeballs, burnt them with cigarette butts and chopped of noses, ears and their genitals. Lt Saurav Kalia of 4 Jats regiment had taken his five men on a patrol near Kaksar sector on May 14, when they were reportedly captured by the Pakistani troops. In all probability they were kept in custody for more than 20 days and tortured most inhumanely. They were perhaps killed just five-six days ago. The mutilated bodies of the soldiers were handed over to the Indian authorities on Monday. "This is a gift by Pakistan to India a few days before its Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz visits New Delhi to discuss the Kargil situation," a senior Army official said, adding "We have never heard of any such treatment meted out to Army personnel, who wage battle for their motherland, in the history of armed conflicts between the two countries." This is the second incidence of Pakistani Army violating all norms of humane behavior in utter disregard of the Geneva Convention. About a fortnight ago, the Pakistani Army had shot an Indian Air Force pilot in cold blood. Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja was shot twice, one in the head and another in the chest -- both the bullets searing off blood vessels, liver and small intestines. The bodies, which were handed over to the Indian authorities at post No 43 near Kargil, include that of Lt Saurav Kalia of 4 Jats. Officials said the bodies also bore several cigarette burns showing the barbaric and inhuman manner in which they were tortured and killed. The bodies would be flown either to Srinagar or Delhi. Lt Kalia and his men were part of the first patrol which went to Kaksar following reports of incursion by Pakistani infiltrators into the Indian side of Line of Control(LoC) on May 14, and were reported missing since then. Senior Army officials said that in the 1971 war the Indian Army had captured over 95,000 Pakistani soldiers on the eastern sector, but they were handed over to Islamabad unharmed. Continuing with Operation Flushout, the troops foiled a fresh infiltration bid by Pakistani regulars and mercenaries in the Gurez sector, even as the Army continued mounting pressure on the intruders in Kargil, Dras and Batalik sectors. The troops made advances in Tololing and Tiger Hill ranges in Dras, which are strategically important for safe passage of vehicles on the Srinagar-Leh highway, official sources said here. The troops, they said, were approaching the first saddle of Tiger Hill after driving out intruders from the first height in the range. Lt Col R Vishwanathan was killed a few days ago in this sector after Pakistani-backed intruders had ambushed his patrol party. The Army was successful in driving out intruders from some pickets in Tololing range and inflicted heavy casualties on the infiltrators even as the Pakistan Army heavily shelled the Gurez area of north Kashmir on Wednesday night, damaging at least 10 houses, the sources said. The shelling was being done to give cover to more than 150 intruders waiting to cross over to the Indian side of the LoC. Some stray incidents of skirmishes were reported from other areas along the LoC. The ongoing battle in Batalik sub-sector of Kargil turned intense after Indian troops, who had suffered some early reverses, gained considerably and drove away intruders from bunkers occupied by them. Quoting Intelligence reports, sources said Pakistan was trying to push in over 200 intruders into this sub- sector from its forward posts along the LoC. At least 13 intruders, including five Pakistani Armymen, were killed in this sector on Wednesday evening after Indian forces traded heavy fire. Three soldiers also laid down their lives during the encounter. Army Chief Gen V P Malik visited Kargil and discussed with senior officials the strategy in the continuing Operation Vijay. He flew to the forward areas along with Brigadier General staff of 15 Corps from Srinagar and talked to the field commanders in other areas close to the LoC. The Army Chief also held a high-level meeting with senior officers here on Wednesday night at Badamibagh cantonment to take stock of advances made by the Indian troops at various places following intense one-to-one fight with infiltrators. Sources said regular reinforcements were being rushed to the forward areas coupled with crack teams which received advanced training in mountain warfare from the High-altitude Warfare School (HAWs) at Sonamarg to help regain heights. Bad weather hampered air operations against Pakistani soldiers and mercenaries in the Kargil sector n the morning even as troops made significant gains in the Dras and Mushkoh Valley during the past 24 hours. Some missions were carried out, but others had to be abandoned because of the very poor weather, an IAF spokesman said here. The Indian troops had captured some key positions close to Juber in Batalik sub-sector and had made inroads into the infiltrators' positions in Dras and Mushkoh, Army officials said. Meanwhile, the sources said, while on one hand fierce fighting was going on in Dras, Batalik and Kargil sectors, the troops were maintaining strict vigil at other forward posts along the LoC to foil any intrusion bid. Not for commercial use. 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