E-Paper | March 09, 2026

In a first, Hindu army officer promoted to rank of lieutenant colonel

Dawn.com Published February 25, 2022
This image shows newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel Kelash Kumar. — Photo courtesy: PTV
This image shows newly promoted Lieutenant Colonel Kelash Kumar. — Photo courtesy: PTV
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A Hindu officer of the Pakistan Army, Dr Kailash Kumar, has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, it emerged on Friday.

State broadcaster Pakistan Television announced the development, adding that Kumar was the first Hindu officer to be promoted to the rank.

Extending his congratulations, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry called the newly promoted lieutenant colonel "our pride".

Minister of State for Climate Change Zartaj Gul Wazir termed it a proud moment for the country.

Writer Shama Junejo said "history has been made" and expressed the hope to see the officer promoted to the rank of general.

Pakistan

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Cardiac Arrest
Feb 25, 2022 08:35pm
After 75 years.
Recommend 0
Patriot
Feb 25, 2022 08:36pm
Good to see this. This is the treatment of minorities in Pakistan. Maybe India should learn a thing or two
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Anti-Corruption
Feb 25, 2022 08:37pm
Congratulations Lt. Col Kailash Kumar. You are a proud Pakistani, and the nation is proud of you.
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Jamil Soomro, New York City
Feb 25, 2022 08:46pm
I hope this brings tears to the eyes of Narendra Modi the dogmatic Preacher of Hindutva.
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Terry Bola
Feb 25, 2022 08:48pm
@Patriot , Wake up ! Muslims have been Presidents of India.
Recommend 0
Jo Original
Feb 25, 2022 08:48pm
Congratulations Dr Kelash Kumar pride of Pakistan.
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Jo Original
Feb 25, 2022 08:49pm
@Patriot , Educate yourself first. India has many Christians, Muslims and Sikhs in its army at all ranks!
Recommend 0
Jasbir
Feb 25, 2022 09:00pm
First time in Pakistan's long history...
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Kris
Feb 25, 2022 09:01pm
Lieutenant Colonel? When will you make a minority officer a Lieutenant General? Congrats to Mr.Kumar!
Recommend 0
Suresh
Feb 25, 2022 09:04pm
Amazing
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datta
Feb 25, 2022 09:04pm
@Patriot , so strange you say it. India has General rank Muslims.
Recommend 0
Ali
Feb 25, 2022 09:09pm
Awesome
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Ga
Feb 25, 2022 09:09pm
Glad more members of minority community joining the military. Congratulations! Pride of Pakistan!
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M. Emad
Feb 25, 2022 09:11pm
Army Medical Corps.
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Syed A. Mateen
Feb 25, 2022 09:12pm
Pakistan Army has set another example to promote a Hindu officer after a Sikh who was promoted some time ago. Hindus who are after the lives of Muslims in India must note that for Pakistan all human beings are treated equally.
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A
Feb 25, 2022 09:16pm
There have been many Muslim general rank officers in Indian army and equivalent in air force and navy.
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TimeToMovveOn
Feb 25, 2022 09:17pm
Great job Pakistan!
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Balas
Feb 25, 2022 09:18pm
Appreciate the progress
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Ba Akhlaq
Feb 25, 2022 09:19pm
Good news. Congratulations.
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Sabir
Feb 25, 2022 09:19pm
Great, I have always seen this in Pakistan, everyone is given equal treatment. Merit is the only thing that matters here.
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A
Feb 25, 2022 09:22pm
love it! You are son of the land! Wishing you more success.
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TTA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TTP
Feb 25, 2022 09:22pm
This should be a normal thing....
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Punjabi Chronicles
Feb 25, 2022 09:22pm
Congratulations. Merit matters. Talent matters. Hope he will get more promotions soon.
Recommend 0
Taj Ahmad
Feb 25, 2022 09:24pm
Congratulations to our new Lt.Colonel in Pak Army, Great news.
Recommend 0
Multani
Feb 25, 2022 09:28pm
You will never see this happening in Indian army of only Hindus
Recommend 0
Multani
Feb 25, 2022 09:32pm
This is historic day for our army, our eastern neighbor must learn from us how to take care of their minorities
Recommend 0
Siva
Feb 25, 2022 09:35pm
We have presidents in our country who were muslims (Abdul Kalam Azad) and well accepted by everyone all over the world. No minority concept here. Only merit counts.
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Zarir
Feb 25, 2022 09:46pm
I heard India has millions of minorities in top roles
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Ali B
Feb 25, 2022 09:47pm
Congrats,more coming in.
Recommend 0
0qTtr
Feb 25, 2022 09:51pm
Never knew Hindus existed in this army.
Recommend 0
alli
Feb 25, 2022 09:55pm
@Cardiac Arrest, minorities genocide is happening in india
Recommend 0
Junaid
Feb 25, 2022 09:56pm
Just one in million plus army?
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Syed Irfan
Feb 25, 2022 09:56pm
Congratulations to Kelash Kumar. May he go all the way to the General.
Recommend 0
sfomann
Feb 25, 2022 10:14pm
Well Done Sir Kailash Kumar. We Pakistanis are proud of you
Recommend 0
Kash
Feb 25, 2022 10:14pm
@Patriot , In India Muslim can be president, vice president, army officer like majority
Recommend 0
Kamil Masroor
Feb 25, 2022 10:16pm
He is not a Hindu Army Officer. He is Pak Army officer.
Recommend 0
M. Ahmed
Feb 25, 2022 10:30pm
Many congratulations
Recommend 0
Zak
Feb 25, 2022 10:39pm
Modi needs to learn from Pakistan how to treat its minorities.
Recommend 0
Zak
Feb 25, 2022 10:39pm
@Cardiac Arrest, After 75 years. None joined before.
Recommend 0
Human
Feb 25, 2022 10:54pm
@Zarir ,the most loved indian president by the citizens till date is Dr APJ Kalam!
Recommend 0
Yaseen
Feb 25, 2022 11:07pm
Congratulations, Sir. You are pride of the nation.
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Naeem Husain
Feb 25, 2022 11:10pm
Great news! A step in right direction! Congratulations Dr. kelash Kumar!
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Khalid
Feb 25, 2022 11:18pm
He is a Hindu and he is doctor.... Says a lot about 2 communities
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vivek wani
Feb 25, 2022 11:40pm
good & positive
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Pakistani
Feb 25, 2022 11:40pm
Congratulations sir!!
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S. Chatterjee
Feb 25, 2022 11:46pm
Good news. I feel a person's merit is important not religion.
Recommend 0
J
Feb 25, 2022 11:51pm
@Zarir , 4 Muslim presidents!!!
Recommend 0
A. Din
Feb 25, 2022 11:51pm
@0qTtr, Now you know.
Recommend 0
Chini
Feb 25, 2022 11:52pm
just a eye wash
Recommend 0
Dr Atam Vetta
Feb 25, 2022 11:56pm
Thank you Pak Army. Well Done
Recommend 0
Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad
Feb 26, 2022 12:23am
Who says there is discrimination on the basis of faith in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan?
Recommend 0
faisal
Feb 26, 2022 12:42am
@Cardiac Arrest, now I wonder why you call your self cardiac arrest jealousy hurts and BP goes up
Recommend 0
Doost
Feb 26, 2022 12:54am
The good trend continues. Congrats!
Recommend 0
Zulfiqar H Naqvi
Feb 26, 2022 01:02am
No kidding!!
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Joe Majumdar
Feb 26, 2022 01:18am
Appreciate it, let’s respect for the people and do not underestimate any one based on religion !
Recommend 0
R
Feb 26, 2022 01:27am
Congrates Col.Kailash.Long live Pak Army.
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Anonymouseee
Feb 26, 2022 01:36am
Congratulations sir. Meanwhile in india, Modi/BJP continue to terrorize minorities.
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GK
Feb 26, 2022 01:38am
Great this is a news
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Henchi
Feb 26, 2022 01:44am
Is Dr. Kalesh going to command a Battlion or is he a Medical Doctor in the Pak Army?.
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Sami
Feb 26, 2022 01:59am
Congratulations Lt. Colonel Kumar!
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pa99
Feb 26, 2022 02:09am
Correct me if I am mistaken, was there not a young Sikh soldier in the PAK Army who had been mentioned in these pages long ago?
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Hamed
Feb 26, 2022 02:12am
Mr. Kumar you are first Pakistani. It does not matter what religion you have. Main thing is that you have good character and help others. Don't let yourself be fooled by others.
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Spatcho
Feb 26, 2022 02:18am
@Patriot , India had minority generals long ago. Even a field marshal.
Recommend 0
Attiq, Dubai
Feb 26, 2022 02:33am
@Patriot , indianhad Muslims at the level of Generals
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saeed
Feb 26, 2022 02:46am
Bravo Dr Kailash Kumar. Thank you so much.
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imran_m
Feb 26, 2022 02:51am
Now both sides will learn each other's secrets quickly.
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Raka
Feb 26, 2022 04:02am
@Zak , how do you know?
Recommend 0
Vijay
Feb 26, 2022 05:00am
@Zak , We had Muslim president and vice president.
Recommend 0
Vgp
Feb 26, 2022 05:06am
What an awesome achievement
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Success
Feb 26, 2022 05:10am
Some people just keep burning :)
Recommend 0
Lss
Feb 26, 2022 06:05am
@Zak , I wonder why?
Recommend 0
Mani
Feb 26, 2022 06:15am
@Cardiac Arrest, In an Islamic country, not a secular one. Understand the difference and magnitude.
Recommend 0
Mani
Feb 26, 2022 06:17am
@Kash, Cause Muslims ruled India. That’s why Modi is so scared.
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shake chilli
Feb 26, 2022 06:25am
He is a doctor.
Recommend 0
Secular by heart
Feb 26, 2022 06:40am
@Zak , India has minorities in top jobs for years . India had Presidents. ministers of Muslims .
Recommend 0
Sparteum
Feb 26, 2022 06:58am
@Patriot , India has had Muslim Presidents
Recommend 0
fida
Feb 26, 2022 07:20am
So what, the fact is India had a Muslim President, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces.
Recommend 0
fida
Feb 26, 2022 07:22am
@Patriot , India had a Muslim as a President. Compared to that Pakistan is far behind.
Recommend 0
Honest Opinion
Feb 26, 2022 07:25am
Congrats. You are a Pakistani and you make us proud by serving our nation.
Recommend 0
AZAM AKBAR
Feb 26, 2022 07:37am
Congratulations.
Recommend 0
Ibrahim S
Feb 26, 2022 07:42am
I am just proud of our a Pakistani Hindu brother in army .
Recommend 0
Ahmad
Feb 26, 2022 07:47am
I gotta a see to believe it
Recommend 0
Saba
Feb 26, 2022 07:49am
Great news
Recommend 0
JS
Feb 26, 2022 08:08am
Heartiest congrats, Officer! Rise and shine, inshaAllah.
Recommend 0
Yabba
Feb 26, 2022 08:17am
@Syed Irfan , spelling is incorrect. At least learn to spell correctly
Recommend 0
Manu_USA
Feb 26, 2022 08:41am
Pakistan is changing a bit !! Needs to do more for the safety n respect of minorities.
Recommend 0
Sajid
Feb 26, 2022 09:28am
@Cardiac Arrest, US never had a female President and Kamala is first female VP while Pakistan, Indian and Bangladesh had female PMs. So things are changing and it should be appreciated.
Recommend 0
Realistic
Feb 26, 2022 09:59am
Great news
Recommend 0
Mirza Nisar
Feb 26, 2022 10:07am
Absolutely fantastic news. Everyone should be treated on merit what ever their religion, colour or creed.
Recommend 0
Shoaib
Feb 26, 2022 12:04pm
They deserve, Good job by pak army
Recommend 0
Wurger
Feb 27, 2022 06:56pm
Good
Recommend 0

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