A young Kashmiri lad Iftikaar Bhat, with shoulder length hair and wearing the traditional Kashmiri Pheran, approached the dreaded Hizbul Mujahideen in Shopian, Kashmir sometime during 2003.
When asked why he wanted to fight the Indian Army, he threw the choicest expletives at the army in chaste Kashmiri, whom he held responsible for his brother's death during a stone pelting incident.
When his story checked out, he was taken to Pakistan for further training. Unlike other recruits this young lad displayed outstanding initiative and religious zeal and was promptly marked for further leadership and ideological training.
He was finally given a chance to cross the LoC and carry out an attack on an Indian Army Outpost. In an unprecedented move, he was deputed directly under Abu Sabjar and Abu Torara (war names), commanders of Hizbul Mujahideen with decades of effective insurgency experience under their belt for further grooming and leadership training.
2004. He convinced both that he can carry out an attack on the army outpost causing maximum damage. He took them to a vantage point and detailed his plan, impressing them both.
Abu Sabjar though had a doubt on how this young guy can plan a military attack so meticulously and started asking him questions about his background and story.
Sensing the distrust the young lad gave them his AK 47 and said they can shoot him if they don't trust him and walked a couple of steps away, pulled out his Tokarev 9 mm pistol and shot them both dead.
Two to the chest, one to the head.
Hallmark of an Indian Army Para SF operator.
The two terrorist commanders didn't know what or who hit them.
Iftaakar Bhat picked up all the weapons walked to the nearest army camp..
His real name was Major Mohit Sharma, 1 Para SF (Madras Regiment), Indian Army.
This officer had laid down his life in cordon and search operations in Kashmir in 2009. His last words to his 2IC were, "Make sure not one escapes the net".
* "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure".
Cheers Major. So long till we meet again in Valhalla.
Tailpiece.
Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Washing machinex, but thanks to power interruptions, by the time all the clothes were put on the line, it was around 12!
The 500th episode of the Aazhchakkoottam began at 1700 hrs, with the CM inaugurating the session. It was yet another milestone for the Foundation!
On 16 Jan 1954, my parents - K Kuttappan Nair and C Chandramathykutty Amma - got married at the Guruvayur temple, in the presence of their parents, N Krishna Panicker and Kalyani Amma (dad's) and PN Panicker and G Chempakakutty Amma (mom's)!
No comments:
Post a Comment