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Photos of slain terrorists no longer allowed - Indian Army Chief
 Taking a serious view of the growing tendency among battalions to publicise their ââkillsââ through photographs of slain militants, Army chief General Joginder Jaswant Singh has sternly directed all formations to immediately ban all such practices. Such display of bodies of terrorists, akin to the "exhibition of wild animals killed by shikaris" of yore, is against the basic ethos of Indian Army, warns the new directive. Army HQ issued the tough order to its six regional commands after it was noticed that some battalions engaged in counter-terrorist operations had printed photographs of killed militants in their in-house publications like "battalion routine ordersââ, "special orders of the day"and newsletters. "As long as they are alive and kicking, the terrorists are our sworn enemies. But after their death, their bodies should be handled in a dignified manner like those of any other human beings. Thatâs the rationale behind this new directive,"said a senior officer. While the top Army brass "understands"the photographs were being printed to publicise successes in anti-insurgency operations and boost the morale of soldiers operating under "tough conditionsâ, it feels such acts are in extremely "bad tasteâ. Battalions can "justifiably feel proud"of killing militants out to spread terror and mention it in their publications. But printing photographs of dead terrorists is "inhumane", says the directive. This new policy is in line with Gen Singhâs blueprint for the Army to "use minimum force"to avoid "collateral damage"while battling militancy in J&K and North-East, in keeping with the strategy to "win hearts and minds"of people. This approach was dealt a serious blow on July 25 when soldiers "accidentally"killed three boys near Bagargund village in Kupwara district, sparking wide-spread protests in J&K. The Army, incidentally, has killed around 600 terrorists in J&K since January, while losing over 80 officers and soldiers. Gen Singh wants the Army to present "a much more humane face", despite adverse conditions, since the force is "dealing with misguided youth of our own country". Orders have also been issued that battalions will no longer be judged by the number of militants they kill. Instead, the Army will now award battalions which exhibit "good behaviour and conduct", based on civilian "feedback"from their operational area. Posted by: john 2005-09-01 |
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