Successful Indian Cricketer and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army (TA), Mahendra Singh Dhoni will start a shot stint with the Army in Kashmir from Wednesday.
Dhoni, who opted to stay out of India's tour to the WestIndies that begins this week, to spend time with 106 TA battalion that wasdeployed in South Kashmir to assist Army's Rashritrya Rifiles.
"The unit that Dhoni will join is in South Kashmir as partof Awantipora based Victor Force," sources said.
"Dhoni will do a 15-day stint with the Victor Force. Asrequested by the officer and approved by Army Headquarters; Dhoni will betaking on the duties of patrolling, guard and post duty. He would be stayingwith troops and not take part in anti-militancy operations," sources said.
He holds the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in theTerritorial Army unit of the Parachute Regiment (106 Para TA battalion), whichwas accorded to him by the Indian Army in 2011.
Four years ago, Dhoni became a qualified paratrooper when hecompleted five parachute training jumps from Indian Army aircrafts at the Agratraining camp.
The wicketkeeper-batsman who enjoys cult status in India ispart of the Territorial Army, a reservist force that draws on civilians who cando short stints to assist the military.
Earlier, on July 26 during sidelines of Kargil Vijay Diwasprogramme in Drass, Kargil Army Chief General Bipin Rawat expressed confidencethat Dhoni will be able to accomplish the task assigned to him during his stintwith the Parachute Regiment of the Territorial Army.
"I don't think we will need to protect him, he will protectthe citizens and garrison entrusted to his task," Army Chief responded onsecurity concern of celebrity cricketer Dhoni.
