Kupwara: July 25 will mark the 15th anniversary of the Kargil war. Ahead of the day, CNN-IBN visited families of some of the war heroes.
Less than 50 kilometre short of the Line of Control, in Haihama in Kupwara district, is a towering house at the start of the city. It is home to Naik Dost Mohammed Khan of 12 JAKLI, martyred in the Kargil conflict on June 30.
A black and white picture of Dost with his wife is one of the few remembrances of that time while today Shah Begum is married to Dost's brother Akhtar who too was an Army man, but left the force after his brother died in the Kargil conflict. "I joined the Army for many reasons. It was partly for the country and partly for my family," Akhtar said.
In a state where the Army's relationship with people is sometimes tenuous, Dost Mohammed Khan and his family have had three members in the force. While a gas agency given by the government and named after the martyr has been responsible for the turnaround in their life, Akhtar is bitter about his brother being forgotten.
"Our family was promised a lot of things but the government did not do anything. The kids were given snacks every now and then. But that was all," Akhtar said.
When asked that in spite of all this, how does the Army man stand apart, Akhtar said, "The uniform gives you the power to fight anyone. It's a strength you acquire with the uniform."
Uniform and valour go hand in hand. A few metres from the house, among the walnut trees, with overgrown foliage lies Dost Mohammed, a brave soldier, a responsible husband, father and son.
Sometimes all a family who has lost a loved one in war needs to know is that someone remembers them.
via IBNLive ,
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