INDIA
A colonel was killed by militants in J&K after his phone gave away his location.
Colonel Neeraj Sood’s death on June 23 in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, has thrown up an important question.
Should officers be allowed to carry cell phones during counter insurgency operations? According to some reports, it was a phone call that helped terrorists spot the colonel.
Though army sources have denied that Col Sood had a mobile with him, reliable sources told DNA that as soon as the phone rang and he picked it up, militants were able to see its screen light. They aimed for his head.
Army sources have said there will be no inquiry into Colonel Sood’s death since the norm is not to have one when there was a battle casualty.
Whatever the decision, the bigger question is whether soldiers should be allowed to use cell phones during operations.
An officer told DNA, “Army units have light-emitting radio sets, but these are much dimmer and flash only when making a call, not when receiving one, unlike a cell phone.”
The mobile phone is proving to be a distraction in more ways. According to the officer, “Mobile phones are proving a hindrance, as men get four-five calls a day from home, mostly about family problems.
This puts them under tremendous pressure. Earlier, jawans used to write to their families, but now they are often on the phone. This takes their mind off the battlefield, instead they are distracted by even small family problems.”
A colonel who is going to take command of a unit in Kashmir said on condition of anonymity, “I know of people who do not wish to keep cell phones. I too feel the same. It is not advisable to carry cell phones during operations because radios can do the same job and they come without risks. A cell phone not only gives away the location, it also gives away the frequency.”
An officer who has served in the Valley said nowadays insurgents only use the internet, as their satellite phones, mobiles and regular phones are all open to being intercepted by the army.
Had somebody thought of banning cell phones on the field, Col Sood would not have died the way he did.
What led to stampede at New Delhi Railway Station that killed 15 people? 10 points
King Kong: This 6-Foot-8 buffalo named the world’s tallest by Guinness World Records
Shakira’s metallic wolf gown took 600 hours to create, designed by THIS Indian couturier
84 year marriage, 13 kids, 100 grandkids, viral couple sets record
Harshvardhan Rane, Mawra Hocane react to Amitabh Bachchan's shout out to Sanam Teri Kasam re-release
Chhaava box office collection day 2: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna film mints Rs 67 crore
15 injured in stampede at New Delhi Railway Station, probe on
Amitabh Bachchan was 'mind-blown' in a Bangkok strip club, reveals...: 'He was wearing...'
Watch: Gautam Adani and his wife offered 'chadar' at Ajmer Sharif Dargah
European man shares 10 lessons that shattered his western mindset after moving to India
'India needs strong production base, not empty words': LoP Rahul Gandhi's veiled dig at centre
Ranveer Allahbadia says he’s getting death threats from..., promises he won’t...
Bad news for Rohit Sharma ahead of Champions Trophy 2025, BCCI to take huge step on India captain
Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries buys new company for Rs 6.73 crore, it is called...
Who was Lavoo Mamledar, former MLA who died after altercation with...in...
World's largest gold deposit worth over Rs 7 lakh crore found in China, hidden beneath....
Video Viral: Monalisa Bhosle, Mahakumbh sensation, takes first-ever flight to Kozhikode
Who Owns Burj Khalifa? Know the SURPRISING owner of the world's tallest building
Legendary Bengali singer-songwriter Pratul Mukhopadhyay passes away at 82
Whale swallows, then spits out kayaker as moment is captured on camera; WATCH viral video
'I do not regret being part of it': Raghu Ram opens up on India's Got Latent controversy
Meet influencer Ashley Clair who claims Tesla CEO Elon Musk is the father of her child
After Virat Kohli, Yuvraj Singh cuts ties with Ranveer Allahabadia – Here's what happened!
NASA’s curiosity Rover captures stunning twilight clouds on Mars, leaves internet in awe
Who is Ashley St. Clair? Author claiming she secretly gave birth to Elon Musk's child
Google secures Mumbai's BKC offices, renews lease with staggering monthly rent of over Rs.....
Meet man, who sold previous company for Rs 1 lakh crore, he is...
American whiskey Bourbon set to take over Indian market, here's how
Ten devotees from Chhattisgarh killed as car collides with bus enroute to Maha Kumbh
What happens after UPSC? Civil servants share about life at LBSNAA
Mukesh Ambani, sons Akash and Anant take holy dip at Mahakumbh, woman shares video; watch here
'What Akshay Kumar does is..': Ahmed Khan reveals superstar uses teleprompter for…, defends his…
Ameesha Patel shares 'fraudulent promise' video of Gadar 2 because Anil Sharma...: 'How will you...'
Maha Kumbh fame IIT Baba aka Abhay Singh's 10th, 12th marksheet goes viral
After Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi’s teammate Federico Redondo takes dig at PSG, claims...
Who is Abhinav Chandrachud? Lawyer representing YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, he is son of famous...
India's Got Latent controversy: YouTuber Apoorva Makhija kicked out from IIFA? Here's what we know
Former WWE wrestler gives BIG warning to Ranveer Allahbadia, says, 'people like him have...'
Ukraine's Zelenskyy makes BIG claim, says Donald Trump can push Putin to...
Anti-Valentine’s week: From Breakup Day to Slap Day, 7 days explained
Saturday bank holiday: Are banks open or closed on February 15? Check here
Meet Fearless Nadiya, first female Bollywood action star, she was from...
Prateik Babbar shares passionate kiss with Priya Banerjee in dreamy wedding photos
Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna, Akshaye Khanna’s Chhaava is a historic epic that roars to glory