Gen Bikram Singh expresses support for Kargil hero, says Army had raised concerns

Pune: Army Chief General Bikram Singh has expressed support for the family of Kargil hero Lt Saurabh Kalia who was allegedly tortured to death by Pakistan after his capture in 1999 during Kargil war. General Singh hailed Lt Kalia and said that the Army had raised its concerns with the Defence Minister.

Lt Kalia's family has moved the Supreme Court asking it to order the government to raise the matter with Pakistan at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). They were compelled to move the apex court after no action was taken for 13 years.

While speaking at NDA's passing out parade in Pune, General Singh said, "He was a brave soldier. He laid down his life for the country in the Kargil war. We have shown our concerns to the Defence Ministry and human rights panel and we fully support the family."

The Army Chief hailed Lt Saurabh Kalia and said that the Army had raised its concerns with the Defence Minister.

Lt Kalia of the 4 Jat Regiment and five other soldiers of his patrolling team were captured alive on May 15, 1999 and kept in captivity where they were tortured and their bodies mutilated. The autopsy report of Lt Saurabh Kalia and five other soldiers revealed extreme torture including cigarette burns, pierced ear drums with hot rods and chopped off limbs and private organs before finally shooting them dead.

The family wants that the torture of their son be declared a war crime and also want Pakistan to apologise. But despite his appeals, Dr NK Kalia says the government has done nothing.

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