The Indian Army prides itself on fighting as per the laws of conflict. Two recent incidents contradict that.
Ever since the advent of war, soldiers have desecrated the corpses of their enemies, whether to send a message or exact revenge. However, nations and their armies were also aware that it was wrong and never formally condoned the same.
India and Pakistan fought the conventional wars of 1947-48, 1965 and 1971 generally adhering to the Geneva Conventions. India’s humanitarian handling of 93,000 prisoners of war became a model for the world. However, with the advent of proxy wars and vicious fighting along the Line of Control (LoC), the primitive practice of desecration of the bodies of dead soldiers seems to have been revived.
There have been numerous instances where the bodies of our soldiers have been desecrated by the Pakistan Army and the terrorists. What began as carrying body parts as “proof” of action seems to have become a routine ritual. The proliferation of mobile phones and an overactive media have led to gory photos and videos making their way into the public domain. An incensed public egged on by a nationalistic fervour has been clamouring for “10 heads for one head”.
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Beliefs, norms and honour code of warriors demand that the enemy dead be treated at par with own dead. In classical literature, Homer’s Iliad described the 12th century BC Trojan War, and captured this essence of the customary laws of war and the reality of battle.
Incensed at the killing of young Patroclus, Achilles slays Hector, ropes his body to his chariot and drags it away as shocked kin and people of Troy watch. In his own camp, he drags it 12 times around the funeral pyre of Patroclus and leaves it face down to rot, to be eventually eaten by dogs. Even the Greek gods are horrified by this immoral brutality. They intervene to preserve the corpse of Hector from being corrupted and Zeus sends word that Achilles “tempts the wrath of heaven too far” with his desire to “vent his mad vengeance on the sacred dead”. Achilles relents and hands over the body to Priam who gives a befitting funeral to his son.
In actual battles, the worst instincts of men come to the fore. Laws have been, therefore, progressively codified over centuries to act as a deterrent. Article 15 of the First Geneva Convention states, “At all times, and particularly after an engagement, parties to the conflict shall,… and to search for the dead and prevent their being despoiled”.
The Indian Army prides itself on fighting as per the laws of the conflict. India is a great advocate of “rules-based international order”. We highlight this every time Pakistan Army or its proxies mutilate the bodies of our soldiers in operations along the LoC. Last year’s ‘human-shield’ incident and two recent events, however, have severely dented this image.
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On 15 September, defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman participated in India TV show ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ (People’s Court) as a mock accused. During the programme, the anchor asked her a loaded question. “Lekin sawal hai Pakistan ko theek karne ka. Chunav ke dauran kehte hain ki woh do sir katenge toh hum das sir kat ke layenge. Lekin ab dus toh nahin kat rahe (During the election campaign, you people had said that if they cut two heads, we will cut 10 heads. But 10 heads are not really being cut now)”.
The defence minister replied, “Nahin. Main yeh bol sakti hoon, kaat to rahe hain hum, display nahin kar rahe (No. I can only say this that we are also cutting heads off, but not displaying them)”. The statement was followed by a smug smirk.
The same day, two photographs taken after an encounter in Reasi district in Jammu and Kashmir on 13 September went viral on social media. In the first photo, soldiers are seen dragging the body of a terrorist from approximately two metres with a chain tied to his feet. In the second photo, a saffron-clad person is taking a selfie with the terrorist’s body. Both actions as seen in the photos violate the standard operating procedures of the Army and the Geneva Conventions. The logic of “anti-IED/booby trap drill” does not hold good because the rope has to be at least 30 metre-long and pulled from behind a safe cover to turn the body.
After the dead body of an alleged militant was dragged by army, an extremist Hindu activist from Jammu taking selfie with the corpse. pic.twitter.com/L48aEc1VV2
— Khurram Parvez (@KhurramParvez) September 15, 2018
The media spared the minister, but the ramifications of her naive gaffe are far-reaching. The defence minister has incriminated her own Army of violating Article 15 of the First Geneva Convention and the Customary International Humanitarian Law. Not even the Pakistan Army and its proxies have ever admitted or boasted about mutilation or decapitation of dead bodies of our soldiers. Similarly, with no formal statement on the viral photos, the Army, carried away by the mood of the nation, appears to condone the incident.
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The government and the Army must forthwith issue a formal clarification to dispel the notion that we have fallen to the levels of rogue armies and terrorists. A political boast and a ‘one-off’ violation of the standard operating procedure must not give the impression that the Indian Army has lost its ‘moral compass’.
The author served in the Indian Army for 40 years. He was GOC in C Northern Command and Central Command. Post retirement, he was Member of Armed Forces Tribunal.
LT General Panag! Didn’t expect a kiddish write up from you! Technically the Geneva convention is between “formal parties countries or armies in conflict” it does not mention that terrorists be treated the same! For Armed Forces to take revenge of their heads cut off only place they can vent out our set example is terrorists (cockroaches in my language respect sir terrorists in your language).
Don’t feel like commenting sir….. you need to stop meddling in the affairs of the armed forces immediately….. it isn’t your job any more. Look after your family and the people you know well … rather than commenting on situations which are already beyond your understanding..
Sir
Paid media
I doubt the writer is from Indian Army, because if that is true no matter what, this should not be how it was written, there is lot what happens in army sometimes based on the situation & circumstances, I have very genuine doubts that the person written this is from army, even if he is, he’s never been to a conflict zone or boots on ground.
I also doubt the intentions of The Print , plz write a single story about something which is going right or good, at least ONE.
The writer do not acknowledge the harsh realities of terrorism.we can’t treat terrorists with kid gloves .we have lost thousands of brave soldiers to the brutally of terrorists.The terrorists do not deserve any sympathy.our Army do not owe any sympathy to terrorists.The writer should be sensitive to the situation our brave soldiers are facing.The terrorists while dying also lace themselves with grenades.Therefore their dead bodies can not be carried directly .A safe distance is to be maintained.Therefore,they need to be dragged.i wish the writer had done his proper homework prior to posting such irresponsible article .it is a shame.
The Geneva conventions dont apply to terrorists …lets not give them the status and respect due to regular soldiers . The Indian Army doesnt behead dead soldiers …the RM may have said so for political reasons and to pander to a vote Bank. The author being an ex Army Commander should know better than to take it at face value . The Army has nothing to be ashamed of .
Easier said than done. Far too many other complexities at hand than “Moral Policing”. Never was there a connect between the stakeholders, there isn’t today as well. Let’s just say whatever we may do, there will be a comment theteon. To each his own, shall be say?
This lowering of standards is very dangerous. Jingoism and chest thumping does not win battles.
Narsimha rao carried out strikes in myanmar with division sized forces and very few even knew about it. The minister ought to know better. Also, what is all this nonsense about saffron? Wasn’t “there is no religion in the foxhole” a standard for all professional armies.
Come on Indian Army and politicians. Hold yourself to a better standard.
XXXXXXX
Could a Muslim put on bhagwa and pose? Could a congie be paid to pose? Is posing with a dead enemy terrorist lying on the street really HINDU EXTREMISM? Do Muslims or THE PRINT condemn animals who play football and abuse dead Indian soldiers?
Seems this alleged LT Gen and this house of PRESSTITUTION belong to Pakistan?
They should have kicked these too. There is no human rights for terrorists and killers. No mercy to be shown in anyway. The publisher is requested not to indulge in anti India articles.
Prof PK Sharma, Freelance Journalist,Barnala (Punjab )
Lt.General(Retired) HS Panag has very aptly drawn the attention of the viewers towards the immature and
childish handling of this episode in question by those at the helm !
The BJP leadership very obviously lacks maturity, ingenuity and experience in handling such like incidents.
Such acts are not to be boasted publically to reap political mileage because these can recoil in a chain like
situation ! The national interests are too to be taken care of !
” Enthusiasm ” and. ” Heart ” have to be kept in check in such like events where head has the vital role !
The BJP leadership for want of issues has now always been in search of issues to boost up its sulking ,
sagging and dipping morale by hook or crook in wake of Assembly and Lok Sabha polls drawing near day
by day ! It is not at all concerned about boosting up the morale of the army in this manner but it eyes
improving its poll prospects all the time !
Winning polls is the only religion for the duo of NaMo-Amit Shah, nothing else is !
The blind army of BJP devotees does not waste even a single moment in creating the hype about any
damn issue floated by the party without understanding sensitivities and subtleties involved in such
matters !
Prof PK Sharma, Freelance Journalist
Pom Anm Nest,Barnala (Punjab)
Probably you have your own agenda to fulfill.
Since you are a freelance journalist, I can sympathize with you for having to stoop to the lowest of moral values in order to fetch two square meals for your family.
Please remember, a Country that doesn’t honour it’s brave is doomed.
I would humbly advise you to leave our Bravehearts, The Martyrs who laid down their lives for us, alone.
Focus on licking the heels of your Aakas and the bread crumbs they throw your way.
~Paragon of Moral Values ~ Mr. Anil Gianchandani,
First of all, I may make it very clear though I do not owe you any explanation, I follow the agenda of the freedom of expression and thought which is very much enshrined in the constitution of India !
You are utterly mistaken, I did not seek any sympathy but you are unduly wasting it, you can reserve the
same for the one who very badly needs it ?
By profession, I happen to be an Associate Professor of English of 36 years standing, being well and duly qualified in the stream of journalism I have been pursuing journalism as a hobby for the past more than three decades !
Coming to all your attributions, I can very well make out that your mind is an index of parochial, perverted,
irrational and impulsive outlook !
Compelled in to the act of “Pseudo Sermonising ” you certainly sans any doubt seem to be serving the agenda/ends of either some political outfit or a political bigwig !
Please look within, introspect and ponder over what I have said with a cool and calm mind !
Prof PK Sharma, Freelance Journalist
Pom Anm Nest,Barnala(Punjab)
With due respect to your comments, I would like to share my views also.
“Everything is fair in love and war”. The Indian army is at constant war. It’s easy to speak ideologies and conventions sitting peacefully on your desk but try to empathize the men at front. If I see my friend who ate and slept in my camp being shot dead by militants who are vehemently supported by the local crowd, I too would have done the same thing. I doubt you would have done something different.
A biased article.it seems the author has taken a huge sum from Pakistan and China..But fortunately no buyers for such rubbish dump…Better share it among your fellow comrades..
Another piece of crap by The print.
Entirely different context compared on a platter. 1971 was a traditional war and India was bound by the Geneva conventions. Pakistani army surrendered with all arms and ammunition. The ball game with terrorists is totally different. They don’t believe in human rights and they dont deserve any. Why didn’t the author condemn the video where rifleman Aurangzeb was slaughtered by the terrorists and took selfies? Terrorists never deserve any human rights and a terrorist has to fought like a terrorist. An eye for an eye and a blow for a blow.
I am sorry Gen Panag for your statement, despite your 40 years in Army, you have faulted in making basic differences between enemy soldiers and Terrorists. The Geneva Conventions does apply on “un-uniformed soldiers of enemy” and hence, deserve no respect. When they do not observe the “rules and codes of warfare”, why should the same be applied to the defenders?
I wonder what message you gave to your warriors as the Army Commander of the Northern Command, who were engaged in unconventional warfare against not the Pak soldiers but an unnamed, unknown, unidentifiable and indistinguishable enemy without uniforms or identification marks.
The hatred of Indian soldiers is perfectly justified when encountered with such men and criminals.
Since the terrorists defy all the conventional norms & rules, they too should be prepared for such “desecretions” of their bodies.
Have you seen a YouTube video uploaded by Pakis where terrorists ambush our patrol and try to behead an injured soldier.
Now retired, give rest to your troubled soul and allow others to continue a job, of which you too have been a part.
Mr Panag, you were despised as a senior General by most soldiers. Your conduct as an Adm Member of the AFT Chandigarh was partisan and unbecoming of a high official. Your biases and ugly political nature continues to be revealed by you through your disgusting writtings. Shame on you.
What do you expect ? Give a proper funeral to these militants ?
There is a difference between viewing a problem from distance and being actually in the problem .
This is an irresponsible response from someone who has belittled the Army where he has served and also the government for its stand . He must know that the Indian Army has done rather well to counter the militant activities . He as the Northern Army Commander did nothing worthwhile and he ha no right to comment which is nefarious .
Mr. Author those convention of code and conduct are for warriors who attack from front but I hope not for terrorists who uses human shield, kill sleeping soldiers, attack without war in peace condition and are n’t part of any army that damn terrorists should be given no concession and honour as given to a soldier but befitting reply in their language “Tit for Tat”
All codes and conducts are for regular army and not for damn terrorists! Do any country recognize them as their citizen anyways do they think of innocent people who die because of them? So they don’t deserve respect.. don’t follow secular extremism that you forget the fine line between a terrorist and a soldier . I hope you get my view Sir
Mr. Author those convention of code and conduct are for warriors who attack from front but I hope not for terrorists who uses human shield, kill sleeping soldiers, attack without war in peace condition and are n’t part of any army that damn terrorists should be given no concession and honour as given to a soldier but befitting reply in their language “Tit for Tat”
All codes and conducts are for regular army and not for damn terrorists! Do any country recognize them as their citizen anyways do they think of innocent people who die because of them? So they don’t deserve respect.. don’t follow secular extremism that you forget the fine line between a terrorist and a soldier Panag Sir
Budha sathya gaya hai . Jo apne hi org ke bare yeh sabh likhta hai , us ki dimagi halat deek nahi hein !! Enjoy your Retd life and stop writing on behalf of the ISI (Pakistan) .
Remember 26 /11 killing of innocent civilians at hands of so called messengers of peace and if it was not enough then showing movements of our army commandos by your elite news reporters and every militant deserve these kinds of punishments.Where are your Humanitarian activists when our civilians are killed at hands of these bloody terrorists
Full Support to the Indian Armed forces. The real heroes.
I find that what you might have been doing while in service.
You seem to be a wolf in the ghide of sheep.
I have no respect for you.
Thank you Gen Panag for the essay. The greatest asset of our Army is its steadfast commitment to ‘dharma’, the dharma of warfare as enshrined in the Geneva conventions. It is this that gives the soldiers pride and the panache in defending our nation and our country. Acts such as the ones you have pointed out, and the tendency on the part of the political executive to boast playing into the gallery, have the potential to dent that pride. Accepting an error is a part of valour, a virtue that only courageous people such as our uniformed personnel carry. The leadership would do well to accept and state that such incidents would not be repeated. That would be a fitting tribute to the greatness of our nation, of which the Army is the most profound symbol. Thank you again. Respect.
Morals are the foundation of morale. Let us continue to be proud of our army for all the right reasons.
The one who has written this on indian army has a pathetic state of mind, every single person has the right to protect himself n defence forces should not be alien to this.
In terms of warfare, terrorists are a new phenomenon in its history. New phenomena have to be treated differently. Terror can only be countered by terror just as guns can be countered by guns or some superior weapons.
Lt Gen Panag Sir,
I personally respect our Brave yet humble Soldiers.
It’s good that you have pointed out even the slightest of abberations in following the rules of the War/ Game.
Having said that I have to submit the following very humbly:
1. The Defense Ministers statement means our Army is also shooting to kill the Enemy but doesn’t demonstrate. I doubt if our soldiers have been a party to any mutilation of Enemy Dead bodies even after the case of Major Kalia and other brave Martyrs of India.
2. I have seen the video of the chaining and pulling of dead Terrorists during the Pathankot attack. We can not and should not expect our soldiers to measure every centimeter as laid down in the rules book. Specially when we are dealing with booby trapped terrorists of an enemy that uses human beings as consumables.
3. Tying a stone pelter to the Jeep should not be seen in isolation. It was done to safely pull out the trapped Soldiers and Officers. I can not come to terms with the fact that pelting stones and misbehaving with our very own Soldiers is tolerable. It defies all logic Sir.
Sir, I am a pained citizen of this Country. A country which doesn’t honour it’s brave the way Israel does, which is sad and painful.
You are a veteran Sir and would know the ground realities much more clearly than most of us.
My humble request to you would be to kindly focus your experience and energies on getting a fair deal for the families of the Martyrs of our Country. Soldiers alone can fight for the rights of Soldiers in our Country. Everyone else is too busy with petty personal gains and freebies.
With deep Regards.
It’s just tit for tat. There is no make noise. Thanks Brave soldiers.
Lt Gen Panag Sir,
I personally respect our Brave yet humble Soldiers.
It’s good that you have pointed out even the slightest of abberations in following the rules of the War/ Game.
Having said that I have to submit the following very humbly:
1. The Defense Ministers statement means our Army is also shooting to kill the Enemy but doesn’t demonstrate. I doubt if our soldiers have been a party to any mutilation of Enemy Dead bodies even after the case of Major Kalia and other brave Martyrs of India.
2. I have seen the video of the chaining and pulling of dead Terrorists during the Pathankot attack. We can not and should not expect our soldiers to measure every centimeter as laid down in the rules book. Specially when we are dealing with booby trapped terrorists of an enemy that uses human beings as consumables.
Sir, I am a pained citizen of this Country. A country which doesn’t honour it’s brave the way Israel does, which is sad and painful.
You are a veteran Sir and would know the ground realities much more clearly than most of us.
My humble request to you would be to kindly focus your experience and energies on getting a fair deal for the families of the Martyrs of our Country. Soldiers alone can fight for the rights of Soldiers in our Country. Everyone else is too busy with petty personal gains and freebies.
With deep Regards.
Well said.
Politics is letting us down.
We can’t be dog with dogs
Unless you be a stronger dog, you will be bitten and killed by other dogs. Try to be a lion, if not a dog.
Morals precede morale. We grew up to believe in the moral superiority of our cause, our country and our army. Now a foolish an immature minister as well as a flatulent army chief are degrading the moral compass of the Indian Army. Please allow us to remain justly proud of the Indian Army.
Dear author of this sh** article first Go and ask those family members where they receive their loved ones body without any body part. Don’t compare our daring Indian Army with those Zeus archilles etc etc at first place u should have be ashamed at writing this article this clearly shows just for writing article and getting promotion u can go to any extent. If your family member would have been in army experienced this brutality from other side of the border only then you would have known the pain. Remember Today Kashmir is part of India only because of our Army and our army can go to any extent to save J&K just like you or anyone can go to any extent to save your family.
Shame in you ! Retd General. Politics and greed can bring the worst qualities in any man and so has it in you. Please go and answer the widows of the men in uniform beheaded, their private parts cut off. Whose war are these brave men fighting? They are being sacrificed at the altar of greed of corrupt politicians and generals like you who want to make money even after retirement.
The author’s brain seems to have been short circuited. There must be no mercy and no civilized conduct with terrorists.. Indian Army is the best.. The author has hidden agenda..
You are supposed to drag a terrorist because he may be strapped with explosives.
Oh the print, enough of your preaching. We understand the agenda and are not going to fall into this Geneva trap. If you believe Indian Armys image is dented, then its your wet dream. For us Indians hold our army in high esteem. Oh yeah you must know how a war is fought other than with just bullets.
I do not agree with you General. Terrorists are to be treated as terrorists and not some god send farishtas. Please for God’s sake your writings have compelled the response
Agree with you…
First – The army has clarified on the reasons why terrorist’s bodies are dragged, to avoid booby traps such as live grenade or remote activated explosives.
Second – The Def Minister didn’t in its reality say we do mutilate as Pak / terrorist does, but we do give proper response which is classified.
Aditi Devo Bhava has always been followed –
We have not amended it to terrorist /enemy Devo Bhava.
Had India been not patient enough
This report may have been prepared by you sitting in a place which would have formerly called Islamabad or Karachi.
The editor should focus on issues which are important and worth sharing rather than rubbing on the pimples to make it look like a wound and try to sell the pictures of the wound and play a victim to earn insurance….
Fully agree
Reason for dragging body of terrorist was adequately and amply given. Army said in its statement that terrorist leave explosives in the body of fellow terrorists and the body was dragged to confirm that no bombs were concealed . Strange that geneva conventions apply to our soldiers dear writer have u the courage to question pakistan or terrorists too. Please do so and see the results .be prepared for fatwa
Well said! One wonders if the writer is a soldier or even an Indian?
Fully agree…
Gen Panag please see the basic difference. It’s the treatment to the body of a TERRORIST and not an enemy soldier.
These terrorists should be hung from the nearest pole and burnt in public. Let the message go across…we are not a soft state. Terrorists who don’t respect human lives deserve no human rights. Period.
You are almost gleeful that India’s Army is disgraced. But what a waste of wet dreams, our Army’s image has not been dented. If anything, it has improved. But it’ll take some time for you to understand.
Meet a psychiatrist, you’re heading for depression!
Why r u writing like this , we show our goodness to everyone nobody seems wanted it so now on ‘desperate time extreme majors ‘ whatever army doing nation with them at any cost
Don’t waste ur time writing these kind of editorial do something useful with ur life
Boycott print for writing mean stuff about our armies and defense misnisters they care more about militants. There are several other better newspaper and articles we can read.
Does anyone actually even know about THE PRINT besides pak-ee lovers congies and active deshbhakts who find it necessary to counter such propaganda financed by the enemy within ?
I agree
Very well written sir
Another pakee lover!
I think we should not care of those laws which are one sided. We should change our image as aggressive.