Date:23/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/23/stories/2008012356051500.htm

National

Antony urged to award Kargil intrusion spotter

Special Correspondent

Young shepherd alerted the Army
His services has not been appreciated: NCST member

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) Member Tsering Samphel has urged Defence Minister A.K. Antony to recognise the services of a young shepherd who had first spotted the intrusions in Kargil and alerted the Army.

“One Tashi Namgyal, a young Ladakhi peasant, has been scantily appreciated for his extraordinary service to the nation. He provided the first information about the presence of Pakistani Rangers in the high mountains on our side of the Line of Control in the Kargil sector. The Army has substantiated his contribution with several commendations and given a cash award of Rs. 50,000. But his service has not been given national appreciation which he deserves,” Mr. Samphel has written in the letter to Mr. Antony.

He regretted that the previous government, during whose tenure the intrusions had taken place, did not respond to a request made by him earlier. Mr. Samphel was asked to seek an award by the Drogpa tribe to which the young shepherd belonged. Not only did Mr. Namgyal inform the Army personnel but escorted them for 10 days through torturous terrain to show them the exact location of the intruders.