GAKHRIYAL/MALABELA OUTPOST (Jammu): At quarter past five in the morning, Kulbir Singh (32) and Baldev Singh Dogra (45) snugly button up their combat camouflage Border Security Force (BSF) shirts at 86 Battalion border outpost in Akhnoor. The pouches are attached and the zap cap worn.
With inspiring instructions from the Battalion's 28-year-old assistant commander, Jerin G Varghese, they hung heavy INSAS 5.56 mm rifles on their shoulders. Their MMGs are aimed at the 'enemy' that has mysteriously disappeared since last 24 hours.
"The enemy is hiding now," quips Kulbir reassuringly. The unprovoked attacks by Pakistan Rangers on their BSF colleagues and civilians, eight of whom have died to mortar shells so far, in one of the worst ceasefire violations in Jammu since 1971, have snatched away their sleep.
Even those recuperating at Jammu's government medical college and hospital are itching to move out of what they refer as annoying comfort zone.
With anxious parents and his two-year-old daughter, who reached the hospital on Friday, 24-year-old head constable Irfan Khan brushes aside the long list of findings in his medical report that includes poly trauma in calf, lower spine, lower back and so on.
"Khoon ka badla khoon se lenge," said Khan, who got injured by gunshots, while he was himself combating the Rangers with medium machine gun at 192 Battalion in Arnia tehsil in R S Pura sector.
Together with Vijay Inder Rathi, a Jat from Sonepat, they listened to refreshing songs and followed news updates on ceasefire violations. For many of them, the festivals have no meaning.
"Humare bhaiya ki Eid kharab khari hai ab Diwali ke patakhe hum denge," said 25-year-old Yogesh Vashist from Sonepat.
Besides the strenuous job, there is also the mental stress. During cross-border fire, the duty hours stretch beyond 16 on some days.
"They work in pairs and then take a small break. So if one person starts at 6 and continues till 3 in the afternoon, he will take a four-hour or so break and then return. They are determined to counter any attack or infiltration," said Varghese.
The mention of Karva Chauth, when wives observe fasts for the good health of their husbands, the eyes of the soldiers moisten
While some jokingly complain about absence of safe underground bunkers, like those being used by Pakistan, others trust their wives and their fasting.
With inspiring instructions from the Battalion's 28-year-old assistant commander, Jerin G Varghese, they hung heavy INSAS 5.56 mm rifles on their shoulders. Their MMGs are aimed at the 'enemy' that has mysteriously disappeared since last 24 hours.
"The enemy is hiding now," quips Kulbir reassuringly. The unprovoked attacks by Pakistan Rangers on their BSF colleagues and civilians, eight of whom have died to mortar shells so far, in one of the worst ceasefire violations in Jammu since 1971, have snatched away their sleep.
Even those recuperating at Jammu's government medical college and hospital are itching to move out of what they refer as annoying comfort zone.
With anxious parents and his two-year-old daughter, who reached the hospital on Friday, 24-year-old head constable Irfan Khan brushes aside the long list of findings in his medical report that includes poly trauma in calf, lower spine, lower back and so on.
"Khoon ka badla khoon se lenge," said Khan, who got injured by gunshots, while he was himself combating the Rangers with medium machine gun at 192 Battalion in Arnia tehsil in R S Pura sector.
Together with Vijay Inder Rathi, a Jat from Sonepat, they listened to refreshing songs and followed news updates on ceasefire violations. For many of them, the festivals have no meaning.
"Humare bhaiya ki Eid kharab khari hai ab Diwali ke patakhe hum denge," said 25-year-old Yogesh Vashist from Sonepat.
Besides the strenuous job, there is also the mental stress. During cross-border fire, the duty hours stretch beyond 16 on some days.
"They work in pairs and then take a small break. So if one person starts at 6 and continues till 3 in the afternoon, he will take a four-hour or so break and then return. They are determined to counter any attack or infiltration," said Varghese.
The mention of Karva Chauth, when wives observe fasts for the good health of their husbands, the eyes of the soldiers moisten
While some jokingly complain about absence of safe underground bunkers, like those being used by Pakistan, others trust their wives and their fasting.
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