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A Pakistani commando who vowed to protect Indian women journalists | "Main Aap Ki Jaan Bachaane Kay Liye Apni
Jaan De Doonga" (I will lay down my life to protect yours)" was the assurance
given to delegates at the first regional conference of South Asian Women in Media
in Lahore last week by Ali, a commando in-charge of escort and security. That
the delegation had 32 women journalists from India was well known to Ali and he
made this statement inside the bus carrying a large number of them. For him, his
duty was the priority and current hostility in Indo-Pak relations was not going
to hamper his commitment to protect the Indians in any way. Ali was reassuring
the delegates after the news of the army headquarters in Rawalpindi being attacked
by terrorists started filtering in. Ali and his team, along with four other three-member
commando teams of Punjab Police were on 12-hour duty each day, relieved by another
set of five teams in the night outside the hotel where the delegates were hosted.
Every morning, he used to greet the Indians and the Afghans who understood Hindi
with a 'Salaam Alekum' and bid them goodbye with a 'Khuda Hafeez'. The security
team escorted delegates from the hotel they were staying in to the conference
venue, a drive of 15 minutes. After being on strict vigil outside the venue, they
used to escort the delegates either back to the hotel, to dinner, to a cultural
programme, sightseeing or even shopping as the case may be. Ali was a fantastic
guide at Lahore Fort, the Badshahi Mosque and the Minar-e-Pakistan. He pointed
out that the Badshahi Mosque was the largest in Asia and made it a point that
every delegate had a view of the three Korans written in gold and silver displayed
at the Mosque. He, of course had no choice but to act as guide because all guides
and visitors were being kept off at a distance from the visitors at the historic
sites because of security concerns. Carrying his heavy machine gun and throwing
quick, searching looks all around, he kept on answering queries with utmost patience.
He even offered valuable tips like taking a picture of the Minar from a balcony
of the Mosque. Admittedly, the view was splendid. Ali wears the badge of a blood
donor. When asked, he said his blood group was O+ve. When told that he was an
universal donor, he smiled and replied, "I try to give, always receiving is not
the proper thing". Not that he was all sunshine and lightness. When a group of
delegates wanted to venture off all alone during a shopping trip, he firmly put
his foot down. It was apparent that the constant chaffing of the women at the
security restrictions was getting on his nerves. It was a security nightmare for
him but he made it clear that disobedience on security matters would not be tolerated.
It was admirable that he stuck to his guns on this, even when some of the journalists
threatened that they would report him to his seniors. Ali is a brave soldier,
a hard-working policeman, a committed commando, sworn to do his duty. He does
not compromise on professionalism whatever may be the given task. Be it protecting
Indian delegates to his country or fighting for his country at the border. Lahore
was attacked by terrorists on October 15th, just two days after the delegates
left. They bombed three buildings - all housing security, police and intelligence
personnel. It's probable that Ali might have been in one of these three buildings.
38 persons were killed and at least 20 were wounded, many of them policemen and
security personnel. It may be hoped that Ali is safe. After all, he is just like
a soldier, policeman, commando in our country, India, putting his life at risk
for his country. Only difference being, he is a Pakistani by birth. |
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