Latest news with #ex-Armyman
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Soldier's refusal of surgery can't cost him disability pension: Punjab and Haryana high court
Chandigarh: Punjab and Haryana high court has ruled that if Army decides that a soldier's choice to forgo surgery doesn't affect his disability rating, the authorities cannot later use that refusal to deny him a disability pension. A division bench comprising Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Kuldeep Tiwari passed this order while dismissing a petition filed by the central govt, which had challenged a Feb 13, 2023, order of Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) Chandigarh to grant disability pension to a retired soldier, Havildar Banta Singh. Counsel for central govt challenged the order on the limited ground that the Release Medical Board (RMB) felt that the disability suffered by the soldier could be cured through a surgical procedure, but he had refused to consent to it. Once that be so, AFT is not justified in granting relief, the Centre contended. Opposing the Centre's plea, the former Armyman's counsel informed the court that a circular had been issued on April 16, 2019, by the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), clearly outlining the risk involved in the spinal surgery required. Hence, holding that the ex-Armyman's refusal to undergo such a procedure shouldn't be held against him. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Family Adopted A New 'Dog', But When The Vet Sees It He Calls The Police Undo The counsel also referred to the rules that say, "If the refusal to undergo an operation is reasonable, full disability normally admissible may be granted. Refusal to undergo an operation may be held reasonable when, in the opinion of medical authorities, it is improbable that such an operation would cure the disability or reduce its percentage, or if such an operation may be severe and dangerous to life. Surgeries performed for spinal disorders have the probability to cure the disability. " After hearing the pleas, HC upheld the AFT order. "Once the competent authority of the Army itself has taken the view that refusal to undergo spine surgery would not be a ground to reduce the percentage of disability, we do not find any good ground for the petitioners to assail the order passed by AFT," observed the judges while disposing of the plea.
Indian Express
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Serving Army personnel arrested in ISI-linked espionage case
In a significant development in the ISI-linked espionage case, the Punjab Police's State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), SAS Nagar, has arrested a serving Indian Army personnel for his alleged involvement in leaking sensitive military information to Pakistan's intelligence agency, ISI. This arrest follows the earlier capture of ex-Armyman Gurpreet Singh, alias Guri, alias Fauji, on July 9, 2025, who was accused of spying for the ISI and sharing classified Army documents. Ravjot Kaur Grewal, AIG, SSOC, confirmed that based on revelations made during Gurpreet Singh's interrogation, a team from SSOC apprehended Devinder Singh, a resident of District Sangrur, from Uri, Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir, on July 14, 2025. Devinder was produced before a competent court in Mohali where the police obtained a six-day remand for further interrogation. According to AIG Ravjot Kaur Grewal, the preliminary questioning revealed that Devinder and Gurpreet became acquainted in 2017 during training at the Army. Training Camp in Pune. Since then, the two maintained close contact and served together at various military postings, including Sikkim and Jammu & Kashmir. While in service, both had access to sensitive and classified military documents, some of which were later leaked by Gurpreet Singh to the ISI. Devinder allegedly helped procure such documents while Gurpreet was lodged in Ferozepur jail. 'The exact role of Devinder Singh in this espionage network will be conclusively established during further investigation,' said AIG Ravjot Kaur Grewal. She stated, 'This arrest marks another major success in exposing the ISI-backed espionage network. The SSOC is actively working to identify more collaborators and determine the full extent of the classified data breach.'
Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘We thought civilians were safe… that belief has been shattered': In line of Pak fire, Poonch empties out
The target of intense shelling by Pakistani troops, the border town of Poonch is deserted, its residents having moved to safer locations. In the early hours of Wednesday, soon after India struck nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Pakistani forces began an intense bout of shelling across the Line of Control. Officials say 16 civilians, including five children, have died in the barrage of artillery fire the likes of which they haven't witnessed since the 1971 war. The shelling also hit a place of worship, an educational institution, a forest department office and a bus stand. 'There was not the case even during the Kargil war. We always believed Pakistan deliberately avoided targeting the city of Poonch. This time, Pakistani forces made no distinction between gurdwaras, temples and mosques. Qari Mohammad Iqbal was killed just near my home,' said Surjan Singh, referring to the death of a madrasa teacher. Iqbal was standing in front of the Jamia Zia Ul Uloom Madrasa when a shell struck and killed him. Surjan had a close shave when his house was hit by a shell, but his cousin Amarjeet Singh died in the incident. Amarjeet, an ex-Armyman, was sleeping near Surjan when the shell struck. He was struck by shrapnel and fatally wounded. Surjan wonders if life will ever be the same. One of the shells struck a family home in the Dungus area, killing 14-year-old Zoya Khan and her brother, 12-year-old Zain Khan. Their father, Rameez Khan, was injured. Two siblings of the same age from another family, Ayan Khan (14) and Aruba Khan (12), were also killed in the shelling. 'My friend Rizwan lost his children, Ayan and Aruba, when a shell struck his car. He is hospitalised,' said resident Harcharan Singh (50), who stayed back in Poonch even as thousands have been evacuated. He said that although people knew that they were in the direct line of fire of Pakistan Army posts located on higher grounds, there was always the belief that the civilians would not be targeted. 'That belief was shattered on Wednesday,' Harcharan said. When the shelling stopped on Wednesday afternoon, the exodus began. Many of those who left went to Surankote, Mandi or far-off Jammu city. In the absence of public transport, people were seen carrying luggage on their heads and walking towards Surankot. Local resident Ajaz Kazmi said there wasn't enough money in ATMs, causing more problems for those leaving. Khalil Ahmed Bandey, a 70-year-old retired forest official, left his home in Ward No. 10 and went to Surankote with his family, including his daughter and her two minor children. Bandey was in class 10 during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, during which he and other local youths went to Khanpir to assist Indian troops in driving Pakistani infiltrators out of the area. For his contribution, he was given a commendation by the Army. His close relative, Saima Qazi, said that during Wednesday's shelling, the family stayed huddled in a room, praying. A shell had fallen on a house right next to theirs. His daughter and grandchildren had come to visit him from Bhopal just two days earlier. While people have temporarily evacuated Poonch in the past too, many are now considering permanently moving elsewhere. 'This time, civilians came under direct shelling. We no longer have the confidence that we can live safely after returning,' said M D Anwar, a resident.
