TSD chief applies for premature retirement, decides otherwise

New Delhi, Jan 29: In a curious development, the head of controversial secret military

unit set up under former Army Chief Gen

applied for premature retirement from the Army last week but withdrew it yesterday.

Col Munishwar Nath Bakshi, known as 'Hunny Bakshi' in the Army, applied for premature retirement citing health reasons, Army sources said here today. The officer, who has been in the Army for 25 years, was earlier admitted for psychiatric treatment in the Army's Base Hospital in Delhi. However, he filed another application yesterday to withdraw it, the sources said.

He had headed the secret unit -- Technical Support Division -- set up during the tenure of Gen V K Singh, which came to an end in May 2012. The unit got caught in controversies because of allegations that it was used for unauthorised operations. The unit was disbanded after Gen V K Singh's retirement on the recommendations of a Board of Officers, headed by Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia.

The Board reportedly found that several irregularities had been committed by it, while it was operational. After the Board of Officers completed its assessment into the operations of the unit, the Army had recommended to the Defence Ministry to recommend a CBI probe to look into the alleged irregularities committed by it.

The unit has also been accused of indulging into activities for destabilising the Jammu and Kashmir government. The existence of the TSD came to light after allegations were levelled against it for tapping the phones of senior Defence Ministry officials at the height of the age controversy involving Gen VK Singh.

PTI