The recent escalation of tension between India and Pakistan triggered by the dastardly attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy at Pulwana followed by punitive air strikes by India deep inside Pakistan territory, capture of Indian fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman by Pakistan and his subsequent release and heroic welcome back home are being keenly watched by the people of Uttarakhand. The state has rich tradition of sending its youngsters to serve in the armed forces of the country. A rough estimate has put the figure of the armed forces veterans and Veer Naris (widows of the armed forces personnel) at 1.70 lakh. Besides, the state is home to about thirty thousand retire paramilitary forces personnel. Similarly, an estimated 1.50 lakh personnel hailing from the state are serving in different wings of armed forces of the country.
The inclination to serve in the armed forces of the country is so high in this predominately mountainous state that almost every family has someone serving the country while in the armed forces.
The interest of the people of this small state towards the uniform can be gauged from the fact that Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, national security advisor Ajit Doval, Research and Analysis Wing ( RAW) chief Anil Dhasmana and cost guard chief Rajendra Singh are from the state.
As per an estimate, the state has so far lost over 2000 brave sons in different operations and wars. In the Pulwama attack, two soldiers from the state have attained martyrdom. Similarly, the state has lost two young officers- Major Chitresh Bisht and Major Vibhuti Bhushan Dhaundiyal- in anti-terror operations following the Pulwama attack.
“My husband is in the Army and at present he is deployed somewhere in the western sector. My whole family keeps a close eye on the unfolding on the tense border,’’ said Anita Rawat, a resident of Balawala.