Army says no flaw in war history

Army will seek review of a previous judgment, directing the force to remove inconsistencies in the Kargil war history, from the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT).

Army will seek review of a previous judgment, directing the force to remove inconsistencies in the Kargil war history, from the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT).

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The AFT said in a judgement in May that a top general had distorted a subordinate officer’s battle reports that went into the writing of the war’s official history.

Contesting the verdict that the war history had been tampered with, Army sources said the force would ask the Tribunal to reconsider its decision regarding Brigadier Devinder Singh’s role in Batalik sector.

Brigadier Singh, who led the Batalik-based 70 Infantry Brigade during the war, had alleged that then 15 Corps commander Lieutenant General Kishan Pal had played down his successes and sought to give credit to another officer, Brigadier Ashok Dugal.

In the 15 Corps battle performance review, Pal had claimed that success in operations had came about “by superimposing Brigadier Ashok Dugal”, then Deputy General Officer Commanding, 3 Infantry Division.

Acting on Singh’s petition, the AFT had indicted General Pal for showing bias against Singh. It had upheld Singh’s contention that he was solely in command of his brigade.

Army sources said on Monday that Brigadier Singh controlled operations only on the western flank (Jubar Complex), while Dugal was in charge of the eastern flank (Stangba-Khalubar Ridge).

Army is not challenging the order in Supreme Court but only seeking a review in the AFT.