Author: Chandan Haygunde, Pune
Publication: Indian Express
Dated: October 29, 2008
URL: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/when-defence-is-linked-to-terror/378722/
Introduction: Reflects loss of army's faith
in government, says retired colonel
Retired army officers being questioned by
investigative agencies for their alleged links with the Malegaon blasts has
not come as a surprise to Col Jayant Chitale (retd), the man who once started
a commando academy to form suicide squads for carrying out attacks in Pakistan.
Chitale said army officers were angry for
the failure of the Government in tackling terrorism. "They are also losing
faith in the judiciary for its failure to give prompt and proper punishment
to terrorists," he said.
"Incidents like India handing over a
terrorist to the enemy in the plane hijack case and politicisation of the
Afzal Guru issue are having a demoralising effect on the army, forcing the
officers to plan their own ways for countering terrorism," he said.
Chitale had formed the Maharashtra Military
Foundation (MMF) in Pune in October 1993 and a few years after that started
a Commando Academy at Badlapur.
"I wanted to form suicide squads for
carrying out attacks in Pakistan. I had also informed the Central Government
and the Army Headquarters about my plan. My first suicide squad was ready
in 2002. I had to close the academy for some reasons, but I am still training
the youths in self defence techniques and motivating them to join the army,"
he said.
Asked about the association of retired army
officers with Hindu outfits, he said, "Officers are generally not against
Muslims. There are excellent patriotic Muslim officers in the Army. Politicians
are showing no will to counter Islamic terrorism. So some retired officers
may think of countering Islamic terrorism for which they may develop contacts
with Hindu organisations".
