Kargil War hero Captain Saurabh Kalia's father approaches UN

New Delhi: Kargil war hero Captain Saurabh Kalia's father Dr NK Kalia has approached the United Nations to secure justice for his son who was captured, tortured mercilessly and then brutally killed by the Pakistani Army. A petition has been filed in the UN by Dr NK Kalia, MP Rajeev Chandrashekhar and the Flags of Honour Foundation.

The petitioners urged the United Nation Humans Rights Commission to ensure that a full and independent investigation is opened immediately, justice is achieved and also to conduct enquiries into the matter and takes appropriate steps to urge the Government of Pakistan to conduct an enquiry into the matter and ascertain those responsible for the torture and death of Captain Kalia. The young Indian Army Captain's body was returned by Pakistan with torture marks.

The petition says this is a clear case of a war crime. The petition is now withi Juan Menendez, special rapporteur on torture at the Human Rights Council.

If Dr Kalia's petition is admitted then the UNHR Commission could appoint various rapporteurs, who are are authorised to make inquiries. But they can't make inquiries without the consent of the state in question, in this case Pakistan and India.

The UN body may also talk to representatives of India and Pakistan to the UN.

Depending on the initial investigation, the Government of Pakistan may be asked to respond. But Pakistan is likely to continue to deny its hand in the brutal killings.

Captain Kalia's family had also moved the Supreme Court asking it to order the Central 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.

Captain Kalia belonged to the 4 Jat Regiment and was the first Indian Army officer to observe and report large-scale intrusion of Pakistani Army and foreign mercenaries on the Indian side of LoC in Kargil. The Captain and his men were captured on May 15, 1999 and were in captivity for over 22 days. His body was later handed over to the Indian authorities on June 9, 1999 after they were tortured and their bodies mutilated. The autopsy report of the Captain 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.

Pakistan has denied its Army tortured the officer and Indian jawans. Sources said that moving the United Nations could prove counter productive as Pakistan can raise India's human rights record on Kashmir.