Assistance to Families of Martyred Soldiers of Indian Military

[Hindustani78]

Bijbehara: Army officers and jawans carrying the body of martyr L/NK Ghulam Mohi ud din Rather at his native Panjpora village of Bijbehara in south Kashmir on Friday. (PTI Photo by S Irfan)

Lance Naik Ghulam Mohiuddin Rather, who was killed in an ambush by militants yesterday. Little did the people know what fate had in store for the valiant soldier when he left his home at Marhama Mohalla in Bijbehara of south Kashmir last month after celebrating the birthday of his son Aahil, who had turned one. Today, when his body, draped in tricolour, was brought for the last rites, a pall of gloom descended on the locality. 34-year-old Rather, who was killed in an ambush by Hizbul Mujahideen militants in Shopian district yesterday, was part of the 4-Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and posted with 44 Rashtriya Rifles, a counter-insurgency force carved from various army units.

His body was handed over to the family members for the rituals to be conducted at his house in the presence of a huge assembly of people.

The mortal remains were then brought to the graveyard at Asthanpura where special prayers were conducted by the Moulvi as per the religious customs.

“The bravery and selfless devotion of the martyr towards the nation was also highlighted by the Moulvi while addressing the villagers in the presence of the representatives of the civil administration and the army,” the officer said.

After the gun salute, as his body was lowered into the grave, some sobbed uncontrollably and others stoically fought back tears, remembering the doughty son of Marhama.

 

[ZenBird]

Interesting, one of the soldiers is from Bijbeheara, the same place where BSF allegedly killed 51 civilians. Wonder how the locals feel about his military service and sacrifice.

The Bijbehara Massacre refers to an incident that took place between unarmed Kashmiri protestors and the 74th Battalion Border Security Force (BSF) in the Indian administrated state of Jammu & Kashmir on October 22, 1993. The Indian Army was accused of arbitrarily firing on a crowd and killing 51 civilians in Bijbehara after protests erupted over the siege of the mosque in Hazratbal.[1][2][3] India's official version of events, that its army acted in self-defence when fired upon by militants, was rejected by Human Rights Watch citing the 1993 U.S. Department of State country report on human rights in India which said, “Despite government claims that the security forces were ambushed by militants, only one BSF sub inspector was injured.” [4] Confusion surrounds the incident as the Indian Army was accused of the firing even when claiming it was the 74th Battalion of the Border security Force that was involved.

 

[Hindustani78]

The three army personnel -- (left to right) Sapper Sreejith MJ (Kerala), Sepoy Vikash Singh Gurjar (Rajasthan) and Lance Naik Gh Mohiuddin Rather(J&K) who were killed in a militant attack in Shopian. (PTI)

Relatives mourn the death of Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Rather during his funeral in Panjpora village on Friday. (PTI)

 

[Hindustani78]

Written by Mir Ehsan | Updated: February 25, 2017 4:37 am

Soldiers carry the body of Lance Naik Ghulam Mohiuddin Rather, who was killed in an attack on an Army convoy at Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. Express Photo

The Army chief paid tributes to Lance Naik Ghulam Mohiuddin Rather, Sepoy Vikas Singh Gurjar and Sapper Sreejith M J, who were killed in the ambush Thursday.

Rather was buried in his ancestral village, Mirhama, in south Kashmir with full military honours. Rather is survived by his wife and a three-year-old son. Hundreds of people attended his funeral.

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http://indianexpress.com/article/in...nied-relief-by-armed-forces-tribunal-4542483/

PROVIDING RESPITE to the widow of a deceased disabled soldier, the Supreme Court has overturned an order of the Jaipur Bench of the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) which had denied disability pension to a soldier, who died in the course of litigation. Gunner Laxman Ram Poonia was enrolled in the Army in 2005 and became invalid in 2009 with schizophrenia. The military medical board declared his disability as “neither attributable to, nor aggravated by military service”, thereby denying him any kind of pension or disability pension. His petition for disability pension was also dismissed by the AFT.

The SC, however, ruled that when a person joins the armed forces in a fit condition, then any deterioration of his health is presumed to be related to his service conditions unless a note is made that the disability was such which could not have been detected at the time of joining the Army.

The SC has also directed the grant of pension to the late soldier’s wife. Even earlier, many decisions of the Army and AFT, denying similar benefits to disabled veterans, were set aside by high courts as well as the apex court. Non-grant of disability pension has long been a sore point for disabled soldiers. Despite multiple favourable decisions by the SC in recent times, pension continues to be refused to such soldiers with verdicts in favour of disabled soldiers being challenged by the defence ministry.

Sources said appeals in such cases were continuing despite a committee of experts, constituted by the defence minister, coming down heavily on the Army and the Ministry of Defence for causing agony to disabled soldiers. The committee had called such actions contemptuous and recommended withdrawal of all appeals filed by the government against disabled soldiers and gracefully conceding such cases covered by the SC and HC verdicts. Recommendations similar to the expert committee were also made by the 7th Pay Commission, later accepted by the Centre.

Sources added that despite recommendations of the expert committee, the Pay Commission and directions of the defence minister and number of verdicts of the HCs and SC, government lawyers have not yet conceded such cases. On the contrary, they continue to press appeals, opposing benefits to disabled soldiers. Even the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare has not issued instructions to withdraw the appeals.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...ses-not-met/story-PjpNVhazMc65sHgGxJWbEI.html

Machhil martyr Mandeep Singh’s mother Nirmala.(HT Photo)

It took 86 days for the Haryana government to disburse ex-gratia payment to the family of Machhil braveheart Mandeep Singh, whose body was mutilated by terrorists near the Line of Control.

A cheque of Rs 50 lakh was given to the family on Saturday afternoon only after the family members recently met chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and threatened to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

But other promises made by the CM are yet to be fulfilled.

“The chief minister had announced to give an ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh and a government job to my younger son Sandeep. Apart from that he had also promised to construct a memorial on the funeral ground where my son was cremated. But most of the promises are not fulfilled”, martyr Mandeep’s mother Nirmala told Hindustan Times.

Khattar had visited the family and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh to Singh’s kin and promised a government job to a family member.

They also claimed that the CM had also promised a promotion for Mandeep’s wife Prerna, who is a constable with the Haryana police.

“Even when we met the chief minister four days ago at his residence in Chandigarh, he assured the demands will be fulfilled, but he refused to accept the demand for Prerna’s promotion,” she said.

She said the chief minister made it clear that the government won’t be able to promote Prerna.

“The CM told us that he alone cannot take the decision (of her promotion) and he needs to discuss the matter with his cabinet colleagues,” Nirmala quoted Khattar as saying.

“But the government should think about the future of this girl who lost everything at the age of 26,” she added.

Mortal remains of army jawan Mandeep Singh were consigned to flames at his native village Antehri of Kurukshetra district. (HT Photo)

As they have failed to get any immediate assurances from the chief minister, Mandeep’s younger brother Sandeep has reached Delhi to meet the Prime Minister. “We are going to meet the Prime Minister in Delhi and will return only after meeting him”, Sandeep told HT over phone.

“The government should also think about my sister-in-law. If they can promote a medal winner to the post of DSP, why can’t a widow of martyr get a promotion”, he asked.

In October last year, the 26-year-old Sepoy Mandeep Singh of the 17th Sikh regiment was martyred in a gun-fight with militants along LoC in Machill sector of Kashmir. Militants mutilated his body.

On October 30, when his mutilated body reached his native village, thousands of people, including chief minister, Kurukshetra deputy commissioner Sumedha Kataria and other officials of the district administration reached the village to console the family and assured all the support.

Haryana chief secretary DS Dhesi, however, denied there was any delay on the part of the state government in disbursing the ex-gratia payment.

“The martyr certificate which is an essential document for release of financial assistance was received from the Army authorities on February 5 and the compensation has been released soon after,” he said.

Kurukshetra deputy commissioner Sumedha Kataria said the cheque of Rs 50 lakh was issued on Saturday and it will soon reach the family.

On the other demands of the bereaved family, she said steps were being initiated to fulfill them, including the construction of the memorial.

BJP’s Kurukshetra MP Rajkumar Saini demanded of the government to fulfill its promises made to the martyr’s family.

 

[Hindustani78]

By: Express News Service | Jaipur | Published:February 26, 2017 5:25 am

The jubilation that was palpable amid the preparations of the wedding was drowned by the shrill wails of Gurjar’s wife Ram Raji, parents, siblings and relatives.

http://indianexpress.com/article/in...y-vikas-singh-gurjars-rajasthan-home-4544137/


Before returning to the front line in January after enjoying his leave, Sepoy Vikas Singh Gurjar had promised his family that he would come back for the wedding of his niece, Mithilesh, in April. On Friday afternoon, his body reached his home at Andhyakhara village in Rajasthan’s Karauli district. Gurjar was one of the three Rashtriya Rifles personnel killed in an ambush in Shopian on Thursday.

The jubilation that was palpable amid the preparations of the wedding was drowned by the shrill wails of Gurjar’s wife Ram Raji, parents, siblings and relatives.

His elder daughter is two-and-a-half years old and his younger one is eight months old, while his wife is pregnant with their third child.


“Even the elder daughter is too young to realise their loss,” said Sees Ram Khatana, a relative.


As the air force helicopter carrying Gurjar’s remains landed at a school in Nadauti on Friday afternoon, some distance away from his village, a large number of people gathered there to pay homage.

Thousands, including the district collector, current MLAs and MPs, also gathered at Gurjar’s village to pay their last respects. As his five-year-old nephew Yashvendra Singh lit his pyre the locals chanted “Vikas amar rahe (long live Vikas)”.

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Shopian ambush: M J Sreejith’s family was planning housewarming
Sreejith, 27, had been brought up by his mother as his father was separated from the family.

Written by Shaju Philip | Thiruvananthapuram | Published:February 26, 2017 5:12 am

M J Sreejith
http://indianexpress.com/article/in...ans-family-was-planning-housewarming-4544122/


M J Sreejith, one of the three soldiers of 44 Rashtriya Rifles who were killed in am ambush in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Thursday, had booked a train ticket to go home to Kerala on March 15. On Friday night, his body was brought to his new residence at Pathiripala in Palakkad district, where his mother Usha Kumari had been planning a housewarning next month. On Saturday, the village bid final farewell to the soldier.

“When news of his death reached home on Thursday, labourers were busy putting the final touches. Usha wanted his son to see a furnished house when he came next month,” said M K Gopalan, a family friend and ex-serviceman.

Sreejith, 27, had been brought up by his mother as his father was separated from the family. He joined the Army eight years ago after working with a construction firm for three years. He was in Kashmir since last September. “He was in touch with us through a WhatsApp group on Wednesday night, a day before he was killed,” says his friend Vipin Das.

Locals recalled that Usha Kumari had struggled to bring up Sreejith and his sister Sreeja, who is now married.

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http://indianexpress.com/article/in...ned-voluntary-retirement-for-parents-4544065/
Shopian ambush: Ghulam Mohiudin Rather planned voluntary retirement for parents

He planned to take voluntary retirement after completing 16-year service to spend more time with his ailing father and mother, who is recovering from a tumour removal

Written by Mir Ehsan | Punjpora Marhama (j&k) | Published:February 26, 2017 4:50 am

Lance Naik Ghulam Mohiudin Rather

Shazida Akthar, 26, had not spoken a word other than mumbling her husband Lance Naik Ghulam Mohiudin Rather’s name since learning that he had been killed in an ambush in Shopian on Thursday. “My sister is in shock… I have no words to console her,’’ said Akhtar’s brother, Nazir Ahmad Negroo, as mourners kept pouring in and holding the couple’s son, Ahil, 2, in their laps one by one. Negroo said that the family had lost everything with Rather’s death. “He… looked after his ailing parents and a divorcee sister.’’ He added that the couple had spend just a few months together since getting married four years back. “He was always away on duty.’’

Rather’s uncle, Mohammad Iqbal, recalled his nephew’s regular video calls to his wife and son. “Through video calls he would try to compensate for his absence.’’ Iqbal said that Ahil has no idea why people are visiting them. “He has just learnt words like papa. He keeps repeating them.’’

Rather, 35, had joined the Army 15 years back. He planned to take voluntary retirement after completing 16-year service to spend more time with his ailing father Ghulam Mohammad, 70, and mother, Mala, who is recovering from a tumour removal. “He (Rather) wanted to give all comforts to his parents and family, but his life was cut short,’’ said Iqbal.

Hundreds of people, including Army officers, attended Rather’s funeral on Thursday. There is no militant presence in Rather’s village while 20 villagers have joined the Army recently.

 

[Hindustani78]

Family members of BSF head constable Rai Singh Indora holding his photograph at their residence in Kheri Sampla village in Rohtak.(Manoj Dhaka/HT Photo)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india...ompensation/story-VwC1oz7iwKg1T8Ps55rxoJ.html

The state government on Sunday finally gave Rs 50 lakh ex gratia to the family of slain soldier Mandeep Singh. This was after his family said they would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the delay in fulfilment of promises made by the BJP government in Haryana.

However, this doesn’t seem to be the sole case of delay in payment of ex gratia to martyrs’ families in Haryana.

In Rohtak, family of slain BSF head constable, Rai Singh Indora, is still awaiting the promised ex gratia even after more than three months of his death.

Indora, 39, was killed in mortar shelling by Pakistan in the Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir on November 20 last year.

He is survived by his wife, who is a homemaker, and three school going children. “Since his death, the family income has come to a standstill, but expenses remain the same. We have not been given anything by the government so far and are now taking money from our relatives for daily expenditures,” said his wife Sunita.

Indora was the third soldier from Haryana to have been killed after India carried out surgical strikes across the Line of Control.

Earlier, the state government had announced Rs 50 lakh ex gratia for the next of kin of BSF jawan Sushil Kumar, who was killed in October last year by shelling from Pakistan. However, at Indora’s cremation, the state government announced only Rs 20 lakh and a job to next of kin.

Unhappy with the disparity, angry villagers had blocked NH-10 and demanded equal compensation for his family. The government agreed to it after facing protests.

However, as of now, the family has received nothing. “We requested the government to give job to our eldest son. But he is only 16. The deputy commissioner promised he will get a job when he turns 18. But till then, we have no one to earn in our family,” Sunita added.

Indora’s elder brother Ramesh, a retired BSF jawan, said he has been touring government offices to know about the compensation, but has been left dry with false promises.

“The deputy commissioner always says that we will get it within one week. But things haven’t changed. Even his pension has not yet been approved,” said Ramesh.

When asked about the matter, Rohtak deputy commissioner, Atul Kumar, said he will remind the government about it. “All the completed paper work has been sent to the OSD to the chief minister. I will remind them tomorrow morning to fast-track the case,” Kumar said.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...d-dead-family-seeks-probe/article17396318.ece

A 33-year-old Lance Naik, Roy Mathew, attached to the Nasik Regiment of the Indian Army, hailing from Karuvelil in Kollam district, was found dead in an isolated area off Nashik. His wife and family members were informed of the incident on Thursday morning. His family alleged that mystery shrouds the death. In his last phone call home, Roy had expressed fear for his life.

Roy, who had been serving the Indian Army for the past 13 years, was posted at Nasik a year ago. After a month’s leave with family at Karuvelil he left on December 28 to rejoin duty. His wife, Fini, said mystery shrouds Roy’s death for he had in his last phone call to her on February 25

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/599267/2-security-personnel-killed-face.html

Raipur, Mar 3, 2017 (PTI)

Two security personnel were killed and as many injured in an exchange of fire with Naxals in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district today, police said.

The skirmish took place near Cherli village under Mirtur Police Station limits when a joint team of Chhattisgarh Armed Force (CAF) and district police was out on a road security operation, IG (in-charge), Bastar Range, Sundarraj P told PTI.

The team was on patrolling duty to ensure security of the under-construction Gangaloor-Mirtur road.

"Constable Hemant Kumar, belonging to CAF's 10th battalion and district force's assistant constable, Gubba Ram (corrected name), were killed, while two other jawans were injured," Sundarraj said.

The injured have been identified as CAF constable Sahdev Rajwade and district force's assistant constable Muddaram, he said.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...-rest-after-fresh-autopsy/article17408629.ece

The body of the 33-year-old jawan, Roy Mathew, was brought to Thiruvanathapuram, the state capital, from Maharashtra by a flight this morning.

Hundreds of people offered tributes to the soldier as the coffin draped in the Indian Tricolour was kept for public homage. The funeral was held later at a local church.

Mathew had joined the army 13 years ago and was working as artillery gunner with the Rocket Regiment 214 in Nasik camp since the last one year.

KPCC President V M Sudheeran laid a wreath on the body before it was taken to his home town, over 70 km from Thiruvanathpuram.

 

[Hindustani78]

The body of jawan Roy Mathew when it arrived at his house in Karuvelil, near Ezhukone, in Kollam on Saturday.

 

[Hindustani78]

Jammu & Kashmir Police constable Manzoor Ahmed who laid down his life while fighting militants in Tral.(PTI)

A senior paramilitary officer lays a wreath on the coffin of constable Manzoor Ahmad Naik who was killed in south Kashmir’s Tral on Sunday in an encounter with militants. (HT Photo)

Besides top police officials, Education Minister Altaf Bukhari laid wreath on Naik's coffin which was draped in Tricolour.

Lady officer of J&K Police paying tribute to constable Manzoor Ahmad who was killed during an encounter at Tral after wreath laying ceremony in Srinagar on Sunday. (Photo: PTI)

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nati...eu-to-constable-killed-in-tral-encounter.html

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel on Sunday bid a tearful adieu to constable Manzoor Ahmad, who was killed during the assault against militants holed up in a house in Tral area of south Kashmir's Pulwama district on Sunday.

A wreath laying ceremony was held for the constable, hailing from Uri area of Baramulla district, at District Police Lines in Srinagar, a police official said.


Besides top police officials, Education Minister Altaf Bukhari laid wreath on Naik's coffin which was draped in Tricolour, the official said.

"Naik was part of the assault team which led the gun battle at Tral, in which two terrorists, including one from Pakistan, were killed," the official said.

The slain constable is survived by a four-year-old son and wife who is pregnant.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...ed-at-tral-encounter-site/article17409993.ece

ASI dies in accident
A policeman died and four were injured when their patrol vehicle skidded off the road in restive Shopian in south Kahsmir.

The deceased was identified as assistant sub-inspector Nazir Ahmad. The vehicle fell into a low-lying area near Imam-Sahib village.

 

[Hindustani78]

Kashmir DGP SP Vaid (right) and IGP SJM Gillani along with senior officers carry the body of constable Manzoor Ahmad who was killed during an encounter in Tral on March 5. (PTI photo)

 

[Hindustani78]

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jk-pakistan-ceasefire-violation-jawan-death-4562251/

An army jawan was shot dead in unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops at Gulpur on Thursday, and another was found dead with a bullet wound under mysterious circumstances close to the border in Poonch district. Sources said that sepoy Deepak Jaganath sustained a bullet injury in the head when Pakistani troops suddenly resorted to small arms fire in Gulpur area along the Line of Control in Poonch district. The jawan succumbed to the bullet injury while on way to a hospital, sources said, adding that Indian troops retaliated and the exchange of small arms fire continued for nearly 15 minutes.

On the same day, another army jawan was found dead under mysterious circumstances, while another sustained a bullet injury in unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in Poonch district. Identifying the deceased jawan as sepoy Balraj Singh, a resident of Punjab, sources said that he was posted at Draba in Surankote area of Poonch district. Sources said that the jawan’s body was found inside his camp with gunshot wounds on Thursday morning.

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
09-March, 2017 20:09 IST
‘Rajputana Rifles’ Pay Homage to its Gallant

Rajputana Rifles, the oldest Rifle Regiment of the Indian having a proud and rich history of over 240 years, is celebrating its 16th Regimental Reunion this week at its Centre in Delhi Cantonment.

The event reflected the rich ethos of Army wherein the serving soldiers and veterans paid homage to their Regimental martyrs and honoured their gallant heroes & Veer Naaris for their sacrifices. Lt Gen Abhay Krishna, GOC-in-C, SW Command initiated a new tradition on behalf of the Regiment of “Each One, Nurture One” where in every newly commissioned Young Officer adopted a war widow’s family taking all responsibilities. The celebrations ended with a solemn pledge from across the generations towards greater glory for the Rajputana Rifles in the times to come.

Col Aman Anand

 

[Hindustani78]

Ministry of Defence
10-March, 2017 15:23 IST
Compensation to Families of victims of URI attack

As per guidelines, Government has approved payment of ex gratia lump sum compensation @ Rs.15 lakh each, Death-cum-Retirement Gratuity and Liberalised Family Pension to the next of kin (NoKs) of 19 martyred soldiers. Besides, payment of Rs.30 lakh each from Army Group Insurance Fund has also been made apart from payment from various other welfare funds.


The ex gratia compensation has since been enhanced to Rs.35 lakh. The balance amount will be paid in due course.

Security arrangements in military establishments are dynamic in nature and are periodically reviewed. The observations and recommendations of these reviews are progressively implemented to maintain a robust and strong response mechanism to emerging threats.

The Defence Services have carried out in-depth analysis of the terrorist attacks on their camps/establishments. The shortcomings have been identified and necessary measures initiated to prevent recurrence of such attacks. These measures inter alia include spread of security awareness amongst all ranks, strengthening of response mechanism, long and short term measures to upgrade security infrastructure etc.

Government had constituted a Committee under the chairmanship of Lt. Gen Philip Campose, a former Vice Chief of Army Staff, inter alia to examine the existing Standing Operating Procedure for security of all Armed Forces establishments; to suggest a model format for security audit of armed forces establishments; to recommend short and long term measures including introduction of technological solutions and other reforms in the present system of security of armed forces establishments.

Based on the recommendations of the Committee and after consultation with Service headquarters, broad Guidelines for Security of Defence Installations have been issued to Services Headquarters.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Dr. Shashi Tharoor in Lok Sabha today.

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Ministry of Defence10-March, 2017 15:22 IST
Suicide by Soldiers

Number of incidents of suicide and killing of colleagues / officers which is also referred to as fratricide, in the defence forces during the last three years and the current year is as under:



Year
Army
Suicide
Fratricide

2014
84
03

2015
78
01

2016
101
02

2017(Till date)
13
Nil

Navy
Suicide
Fratricide

2014
04
Nil

2015
03
Nil

2016
05
Nil

2017(Till date)
Nil
Nil

Air Force
Suicide
Fratricide

2014
24
01

2015
15
Nil

2016
19
01

2017(Till date)
02
Nil


A large number of officers have been trained, as Counsellors, to provide psychological counseling to the defence personnel and their families. Civilian psychological counselors have also been employed, to provide mental health services. A Psychologist, visits units and formations from time to time and carries out psychological counseling, individually and at times in groups.

Government has taken various other measures also to prevent such incidents. Some of these measures include improvement in living and working conditions through provision of better infrastructure and facilities; additional family accommodation, liberalized leave policy, establishing grievance redressal mechanism, conduct of yoga, meditation as part of unit routine etc.

This information was given by Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre in a written reply to Shri Hariom Singh Rathore and Shri Feroze Varun Gandhi in Lok Sabha today.