Stop playing dirty politics over Kargil: Martyr Saurabh Kalia's father

Bangalore, April 9: Samajwadi Party leader

was in the eye of a storm on Wednesday over his remarks on the

war, with the Election Commission warning of "strict action" if he was found guilty of violating the Model Code of Conduct.

As political parties slammed Khan for saying that it was 'Muslim soldiers' who fought for India's victory in the 1999 Kargil war against Pakistan, his party reacted cautiously, saying it could be reflection of some dissatisfaction over "unfulfilled aspirations".

"In the army as well as during the freedom struggle all including Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians were one and fought together and achieved success with the support of all," SP leader Shivpal Singh Yadav said.

Meanwhile, OneIndia Sub Editor Richa Bajpai got in touch with the Kargil Martyr Saurabh Kalia's father DR N K Kalia as well as the Martyr Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja's wife, to get their reactions over Azam Khan's irresponsible remarks.

Captain Kalia along with other soldiers was captured during the Kargil War in 1999 and was brutally tortured in captivity for over 22 days.

My appeal is to stop the dirty politics over Kargil war: Capt Kalia's father

The mutilated bodies of Kalia and five of his colleagues were later handed over to the Indian army on June 9, 1999.

Their postmortem reports reveled that they were burnt with cigarettes, their ear-drums were pierced with hot rods, eyes were removed, teeth were broken and many body parts were chopped off before they were shot dead.

Even after more than a decade, slain Captain Kalia and other five soldiers' families haven't got justice. The Indian government has not taken stringent actions to find out the perpetrators behind the martyr's brutal deaths.

Dr N K Kalia, father in distress, has been running from pillar to post to get justice for his son's brutal death.

While condemning Azam Khan's statement in sharpest words, Kalia said, "I along-with many parents of this country have lost our sons. My appeal is to stop the dirty politics over Kargil war. If politicians want to do anything, then please help us in getting justice."

Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, who was a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF), was also tortured and killed in a "cold-blooded murder" by the Pakistani forces in Kashmir, during the Kargil war.

On August 15, 1999, he was posthumously awarded Vir Chakra, but the family is yet to get justice for his death.

His wife Alka Ahuja said, "It pains a lot when politicians like Azam Khan make such statements. This is absolutely wrong."

According to retired Major Genral Gagandeep Bakshi, 527 Indian soldiers lost their lives and 1,336 soldiers were injured during the 1999 Kargil war.

Reacting over Azam Khan's statement, he said, "They all were Indians. None of them was a Hindu or a Muslim. He should visit Kargil once and see how army units function."

OneIndia News