THE Mujahid Force Regiment has been playing an excellent role in the defence of the country in the area of responsibility of 10 corps of the Pakistan Army. The regiment, which is generally referred to as ‘AK Rangers’ by Indian media/Indian army spokesmen during the occasional border clashes along the Line of Control (LoC), is a federal government force.

The activated battalions of this group are performing the role of a regular army on the LoC. As defined by the Army Regulations Book, the personnel of these battalions are considered ‘army persons’ and they are also subject to the Pakistan Army Act.

These battalions have given a lot of sacrifices in various encounters with the enemy. The army high command has acknowledged its battle worthiness and has also included them in the UN peacekeeping missions.

On retirement, the personnel of this force are given pension benefits and are considered ‘military pensioners’.

Although the present army chief has done much for the welfare of this force and has even elevated their officer rank to the lieutenant-colonel, the bitter fact is that once they retire, they are not as cared as the others.

There is no provision of free medical facilities to the retirees this regiment and their families, though free medical treatment is being provided to the retired regular army personnel, their families and even their parents. Almost the same facility is being enjoyed by the civil armed forces and the civilians paid from defence estimates.

In the private sector, it is also extended to the employees of semi-government organisations doing desk jobs, whereas the personnel of the Mujahid Force are fighting troops who wear same uniform as the regulars, and remain deployed eye-ball-to-ball with the enemy. Therefore they deserve to be taken care by the state.

Although the army takes care of martyrs’ families, but military hospitals become ‘prohibited areas’ for the widows/orphans of the martyrs of this regiment.

I urge the authorities concerned to devise a mechanism wherein the grievances of the affected veterans of this regiment are redressed.

MAJ (r) M. MEHMOOD KHAN Ghaziabad, Azad Kashmir