New Delhi, July 9: Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh, who has spent a major part of his 40 years of service in Jammu and Kashmir, Monday recalled his days in the Valley saying that he has “shed his blood” there as he was wounded in a militancy-related incident there.
“Kashmir Valley is always in my mind. I have shed my blood as I was hit by a bullet while serving there. I have done a number of tenures in that area as I commanded the 15 Corps and the 10 Division and my battalion also there,” he said.
The Army Chief was interacting with a group of children from Lolab Valley in Kashmir visiting different parts of the country under the Operation Sadbhavna of the force.
As a Brigadier, the Army Chief was hit by a bullet in a militant attack when he was commanding the 1 Sector Rashtriya Rifles in south Kashmir.
The Army Chief was on his way back to Anantnag after visiting various army units. When the army convoy stopped at Janglat Mandi, a militant disguised as a beggar opened indiscriminate fire upon the armymen.
However, some NGOs had alleged that it was fake encounter and the “militant” killed in the encounter was a civilian.
The Army Chief has done the important command tenures in battalion, brigade, division and Corps in the state only.
He promised the children that he would visit their school whenever he is Jammu and Kashmir the next time.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST