73-year-old veteran had participated in the 1971 War against Pakistan in the Machhal sector.
This is a tale of a war hero of Macchaol namely Rifleman Miya Gul Khan! (retired), who fought the Indo- Pak War in Maachal Sector with courage, bravery and indomitable. The ‘never say die’ spirit of the Indian Army is still vibrant and effervescent!
He had a daunting experience of being perfect player who can showhow the war and was someone who knew plenty about the terrisdain of Macchail.
-‘As we all know, everyone feels fear. How it’s handled is what’s different between people. You look into the eyes of anyone on board the plane and see it. It’s ever-present.’ Perhaps this is what the bearded man being presented something was telling Gul Khan but he stood solemn as snow! Perhaps trying to remember what he had not forgotten!’ ‘Honor to the soldier, aircraft pilot and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honour, also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause In World War One, they called it shell shock. Second time around, they called it battle fatigue. After ‘Nam, it was post-traumatic stress disorder-‘ What about the scar … on my face. He managed to force out, couldn’t find the words, no better nor easier way to ask and even plead. Do you want me? Do you honestly still want me?’ Please, want me.’ The brave men and women, who serve their country and as a result, live constantly with the war inside them, exist in a world of chaos. But the turmoil they experience isn’t who they are’! It’s very late that we know about them. ‘-Nobody remembers them (the heroes), you know ? Nobody. Nobody remembers why they died or why they are living and how they are surviving but it is the children who know everything. ‘One picture told me the story of Gul Khan and the other of a kid in a multicoloured woollen frock along with her mother in the snow clad mountains of Macchal! She was with all smiles in the freezing cold of ice and collecting gem chocolates from the ray ban clad officer and smiling as a Barbie doll and perhaps saying, ’this is a tale to tell in bloody rhyme, A story to last ’til the dawn of end’s time. Of a loving boy who left dear home, To bear his country’s burdens; her honour to sow. A common boy, I say, who left kith and kin, to make the world safe –was their call and chime. Trained thus in the far army camps, he often drilled in the march and stamp. Laughed he did with new found friends, Lived them together for the noble end.’ The Indian Army does that all the way!
‘India is my mother and my mother is my responsibility. Those who do not appreciate the soldiers and instead pompously talk about peace, should try to live a single day without the soldiers. The child in the picture with her mother in Firan knows this and that’s the reason she’s smiling at a place where most children will freeze’!
Two incidents happened in Machhel and they are as follows:
The Army carried out a Khairiyat (wellness) Patrol in the remote village of Hajimula of T Chuntwari located very close to the Line of Control. The Patrol enquired about the well being of the villagers in the present high snow levels and extremely low temperatures. The Patrol went from house to house and reassured the villagers of all help and support whenever required. Also, to mark the Veterans Day, the Patrol met and felicitated Retired Naik Lasha Tantray of 9 JAK LI who is 98 years old. The Patrol expressed gratitude to him for his illustrious services to the Nation and the Army. In a video message, the now 73 year old Rifleman Miya Gul Khan, who retired 40 years ago, wished everyone a Happy Veterans Day and thanked the Indian Army for constantly looking after the Veterans.’
On Vijay Diwas, Indian Army Felicitates Oldest 1971 War Hero In Jammu & Kashmir’s Machhal. The Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir celebrated Vijay Diwas on Thursday by felicitating the oldest 1971 war hero in Machhal – Rifleman (Retd) Miya Gul Khan. Commemorating India’s 1971 triumph over Pakistan that led to the liberation of Bangladesh, the Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir celebrated Vijay Diwas on Thursday by reaching out and felicitating the oldest 1971 War hero in Machhal- Rifleman (Retired) Miya Gul Khan.
Seventy-three-year-old Indian Army veteran Gul Khan had participated in the 1971 War against Pakistan in the Machhal sector. In recognition of his service and contribution to the nation, the Army presented him with a small token of appreciation. During his conversation with Army personnel, the veteran proudly and fondly recollected his active participation in the 1971 war against the Pakistanis who were given a ‘bloody nose’ for their misadventures.
Vijay Diwas was celebrated in Machhal Sector at Kamkari, Machhal and T Shuntwari villages. The villagers, Army and police personnel paid homage to 1971 war veterans. The celebrations in the Machhal sector included hosting the tricolour and wreath-laying by forces and civilians. NCC cadets presented a Guard of Honour. 350 civilians and 50 NCC Cadets participated, the PRO added.
=‘Sparked by the initiation of Operation Searchlight by the Pakistani military force against the people of East Pakistan to curb the Bengal nationalist movement on the night of March 25, 1971, the Indo-Pak war led to the Liberation of East Pakistan, now called Bangladesh. The war ended in just 13 days on December 16, 1971, with 93,000 Pakistani prisoners of war, when the military forces of West Pakistan in Bangladesh surrendered. Indian troops had made sacrifices during the 1971 war. More than 9,800 Indian soldiers were wounded and over 3,900 Indian soldiers were martyred on the battlefield. This year, India celebrates 50 years of Vijay Diwas that depicts the valour, commitment, sacrifice and unshakeable courage of India’s bravest soldiers.
The Second story:
This tells a story about a fairy a small one though:
The Army carried out a Khairiyat (wellness) Patrol in the remote village of Hajimula of T Chuntwari located very close to the Line of Control. The Patrol enquired about the well being of the villagers in the present high snow levels and extremely low temperatures. The Patrol went from house to house and reassured the villagers of all help and support whenever required. The best part was when this little fair met the officer! Smile was as big as the snow filled meadow!
Before I finish of this story I will tell you something about war veterans about yester years and today: They will always say:
* To pretend, I actually do the thing: I have therefore only pretended to pretend.’ I will just smile but with a heavy heart!’
* But because two can play at this game, I stand on tiptoe and kiss his/her cheek ( it has to be a child). Right on his.her bruise. A bit of sweets makes sures that bruises vanis and the smiles come back!
‘ At times when at war with your own people It was like when you make a move in chess and just as you take your finger off the piece, you see the mistake you’ve made, and there’s this panic because you don’t know yet the scale of disaster you’ve left yourself open to.’! Most did not but I did that! And that was that!
War veterans know about this a lot! But Macchail revived many memories!.
