Pak Army does not leave their martyrs

4

IT is now quite evident that after passage of four days when the massive avalanche buried the camp of Pakistan army in Siachen, there is little hope of finding survivors though no bodies have been recovered as yet. Pakistan army continued to dug through snow, boulders and sluch in an increasingly desperate search for 135 people buried under the snow wall but despite all efforts the rescuers have not been able to reach the site of the camp due to bad weather hampering the operation.

Specially trained search and rescue teams of army engineers equipped with locating gadgets and heavy machinery aided by sniffer dogs and helicopters are at the site. Well equipped US, German and Swiss rescue teams comprising experts have also joined the Pakistan army to help in the rescue operations. One expects that the specially trained foreign and Pakistani rescue teams would utilize all their expertise but it would be an uphill task because it is not known how deep the camp is buried under the snow. The whole nation is in a state of shock and the Parliament has expressed its concern. People in large number are visiting the affected families and showering their praises for the services of the Officers and Jawans. In the meantime President Asif Ali Zardari once again contacted the GHQ, GB Chief Minister and FCNA GOC to get latest information and directed theauthorities to use all available resources to rescue the soldiers and civilians. The COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani also personally dashed to the area to have an on the spot review and issued instructions for utilizing all available means to complete the rescue process in the shortest possible time. Though no one can predict how long it would take to reach the snow covered camp because of the difficult terrain and inhospitable weatherconditions but one thing is for certain that Pakistani army does not leave its Martyrs abandoned in any situation and every officer and jawan is given due respect and treated as integral part of the force.

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                       Are we not ungrateful?

Excuse me if I am wrong as at least I have not read any condolence message in your esteemed newspaper ‘Pakistan Observer’ wherein President Zardari, PM Gilani and Army Chief Gen Kayani have issued any condolence message on the deaths of those who are buried under tons of snow for many days in any case. May be they are hopeful of finding the whole lot alive, I also wish so, and therefore there is no question of any condolence to be honest. However, even if one dies, condolence becomes obligatory and on the face it looks like that perhaps after so many long hours and that too under nothing but sever odd circumstances the chances of human survival are very much bleak if not minus zero.

Moreover, the whole lot should have been heavily compensated in any case. I wish that all are alive but ever since they have under gone such unprecedented hardships, they rightly deserved to be suitably honored and compensated but again at least your newspaper which I very truly esteem in great high spirit has not published any news on it. To me President should have announced due decorations for each one of them on the day the news was flashed that they are trapped but alas we are not toned up to honor our valiant soldiers who alone give guarantee of our lives. Needless to mention, ordinary soldier is right up front to face the enemy while his officer with just one star (2^nd Lt) is much behind under cover so who proves more fearless patriot and defender of the country? I salute to each and every person irrespective of the rank and affiliation which means I am not differentiating between a khaki and non khaki, officer and non officer as all are facing and meeting the same fate.

I wish that my pen be published so that President can issue another list of awards which could be supplemental to what issued on 23^rd March but it will happen if my pen is published.