Northern Command chief today hit back at AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi’s statement that Muslim soldiers were killed in the Sunjuwan attack, saying the Army does not communalize its soldiers.
“We don’t communalise the religion of our troops. There is ‘Sarva Dharma Sthal’ in every formation. Go to Badami Bagh (a cantonment in Srinagar) or Udhampur (the Northern Command headquarters) or even my residence,” he said.
The comment of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the strategically-important Northern Command came a day after the All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief slammed those questioning the patriotism of Muslims and Kashmiri Muslims.
Four Kashmiri soldiers were among the six Army personnel killed in the attack on the 36 Brigade of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry camp in Sunjuwan on Saturday.
“It is only for people who do not know the inside functioning of the armed forces. They are the one who are actually making such statements,” Lt Gen Anbu said, adding “they need to visit us to see themselves how we put everything aside and live together”.
Owaisi, the MP from Hyderabad, had yesterday said the so-called “9 PM” nationalists (those who appear in prime time TV debates) question the nationalism of Muslims and Kashmiri Muslims.
“In this (Sunjuwan attack) incident, the Kashmiri Muslims have laid down their lives. Why aren’t you talking about it? This is a reminder to all those nationalists who question my integrity and the love for this country,” the AIMIM chief had said.
Anbu said, “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have shown (by participating in large numbers in the funeral prayers of the soldiers)… It is a testimony for all those who wanted to communalize it.”
In response to a question about any role of insiders in Sunjuwan terror attack and any plans to shift the training centre of the regiment from Srinagar, Anbu said, “I am in a uniformed force and do not distinguish the personnel under my command. We do not work like that in the Indian Army.”
“Someone who joins us gets motivated by our ethos and functioning, even if he is not motivated before. There is no doubt in my mind and our organization is very strong. The new recruits mould into our system,” he said.
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