Expressing concern over the increasing vulnerability of Indian soldiers on the borders and in border States such as Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday called for “total freedom” to the Indian Army to tackle dangerous situations faced in the line of duty.
Chief Minister, himself an ex-Army man, came out in solidarity with the soldiers being exposed to all kinds of risks and atrocities not only at the hands of enemy forces from across the border but sometimes also at the hands of civilians, as happened recently in Kashmir.
Reacting strongly to the reported mutilation of the bodies of two jawans by Pakistan Army following a ceasefire violation in Poonch area of J&K, Capt Amarinder urged the Centre to send out a strong signal to such inimical forces against indulging in such atrocities and barbaric acts.
He backed the Indian Army's warning of "appropriate response" for the "despicable act."
Also coming down heavily on those criticising the Indian Army’s action of tying a man to a jeep to protect its soldiers from the vicious attack unleashed by civilians during the recent elections in Kashmir, he said that the civilians tried to take the law in their hands and it was the duty of the Army officers to protect their jawans.
Coming out in defence of Major Gagoi, the army officer in the line of fire from various quarters, including a section of the media, over his ‘human shield’ action, Capt Amarinder said that the officer was simply doing his duty.
In a Facebook post, the Chief Minister further said that “had I been in the same situation, I would have carried out the same action."