Gurkha ordered back to UK after beheading dead Taliban fighter Read more: http://www

[DESERT FIGHTER]

How did Nalwa die?
Hear he was beheaded........is tht correct?

 

[Old School]

Gurkhas are usually used in the Infantry units to spread terror among the opposition with their brutality. This is their primary role in the Royal Army and Indian Army.It was done during the Falkland war and against the LTTE who also slaughtered numerous Gurkhas . The tactical value of Gurkhas is very limited. However , I am doubtful if this terror factor will work against the Taliban who are no less brutal and physically superior to the Gurkhas. The whole Chinese PLA can be considered multiplied version of the Gurkhas.

 

[gubbi]

As far as keeping Pathan tribesmen in check, good luck with that as it never happened. Its not happening now and it certainly did not happen during any of the earlier Afghan expeditions by the British. The Pashtun owns the night, they blend in during the day and when needed, they stand and put on a fight and make the ultimate sacrifice when they need to and on most others, let other take home their dead or wounded.

Firepower and massing of troops only brings temporary respite. Gurkha presence has little bearing on the situation.

Arent you a little ahead of yourself here? Let me just refresh your mind, y quoting your own previous post.

So what is so brave about cutting off the head of a dead fighter on the battlefield?

Pakistan has fought three wars against the Gurkhas. They are no more or less fierce than the others we have fought against. Most of the time, the talking up and folklore is to boost own morale.

After the wars, silly little stories and nick-names are talked around to spread the aura of invincibility or supposed fierceness. The reality on the battlefield is quite different.

Different yardsticks to different people, eh?

Have you read the report? The troops were to get a high interest talibozo, alive or dead. They apparently managed to get that bozo, and while trying to retrieve its body as a piece of intel, came under fire. Not knowing what to do, the Gorkha decided to take its head, instead of the body for ID purposes. Plain and simple.

 

[gubbi]

Context is misplaced. Had the same been done to a Gurkha or a British trooper, people here would be crying horse about the supposed "cruelty" of the Taliban. Yet when a gun for hire does the same to a Talib, who, all arguments aside, is on home ground and fighting outsiders on his homeland, this action is touted as "coolness"? Its crass and that is what this whole mess is.

Desecration of human bodies is forbidden by Islam, and yet the talibozos do it. I find many supporters, closet if not open, of such heinous acts in this very forum. They have been to known to behead alive and kicking human beings. And yet, when one British Gorkha soldier does it to a dead bozo, for want of a better alternative, people go up in arms, crying about the 'crassiness' and cruelty of the episode?

Blain2, I do respect your views on many topics, even agreeing on many of them. However, I dont agree with your view in this context.

Bravery is not limited to the ones you like only. Had the other side not been brave, this war would not be in its 6th year with a constant flow of body bags flying back home all over the world. Respect for bravery goes both ways. Realize that. This vilification of the other side and aggrandizing of your own side does very little to further the understanding of what is really going on out there.

A soldier knows whom to respect. And he/she sees to it that it is done rightly. No soldier shows any respect to those bozos, including those of PA says a lot, doesnt it?

Bravery is relative. Thats all I will say.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

Originally Posted by Originally Posted by Hawk Eyes
"haha, i gurantee an indian or nepali input this in lieipedia"

@ Originally Posted by Hawk Eyes
Please read "The Gurkhas" by Byron Farwell (published by PENGUIN, 1985; ISBN 0-14-007569-0). 'Chapter 5 ' covers this subject exhaustively. If you need to; i'm pretty sure you can find somebody to read it aloud to you.
Let not "Hawk Eyes" turn into "Bird Brain".

 

[Capt.Popeye]

Let me share something on a lighter note about Gurkhas and their Khukris.

During WW 2, an allied journalist met up with Gurkhas (probably) for the first time in his life. The Khukri seemed to be particularly fascinating. So he asked "which is the business end of a khukri". A Gurkha gave him the answer- both sides of the blade are useful. The sharp side, to lop off the head of an enemy; and the blunt side to beat his wife if she did'nt toe the line !

 

[oceanx]

I don't see what the fascination and commotions are here. Not that long ago some cut-throat bounty hunters would kill and scalp an Apache or two for cold hard cash.

Today a member of the foreign legion of the British army cuts off the head of some insurgent so that 10 years later he and his immediate family can get residency paper to the UK.

But somehow this zealotry has been deemed less than "civilized" by the gentleman officers wearing white gloves so he is now shipped back to the UK to get taught a quick course of etiquette from the Queen.

All he cares is whether he'll still get his UK residency paper ...

But should the part about UK green card falls through, he can perhaps apply for a position at the "chop-shop square" in Saudi Arabia.

 

[Old School]

My personal opinion on the Gurkas with their Khukris is less than enthusiast in term of any military significance. I would rather see them as a tradition among certain armies such as the Royal and Indian army. Whatever role the Gurkhas play can also be substituted with available resources. Therefore, they are not indispensable for any army.On the other hand , Gurkhas become a socio-political issue after their retirement as the recent immigration debate in the UK suggests. I do not foresee any future for the Gurkhas to keep their role as mercenaries. There are better alternatives to Gurkhas with much less hassles with the rise of PMC's.

 

[Dr sim]

How did Nalwa die?
Hear he was beheaded........is tht correct?

Dost Mohammad Khan did not rest contented and after mobilizing all his resources dispatched his son Akbar in A.D. 1837 to recover Peshawar which he did. Resultantly, Sardar Hari Singh Nalua was sent at the head of Lahore troops to face Afghans. He got his forces to Peshawar. Jamrud turned out to be the field of battle this time where a formidable battle was fought. Sardar Hari Singh Nalua had earlier build a fort on the entrance of Khyber pass called fort of Jamrud, this fort was being commanded by Sardar Mahan Singh Mirpura. For want of man and war material Nalua strove extraordinary hard, inspite of this he did not loose his heart. Urgent messages were sent to Lahore and Peshawar for materials. For want of timely help the Sardar was of course, killed but the Afghans could not dislodge the 500 Punjabi troops from the fort of Jamrud. General Hari Singh Nalua give his last command to his men to not to disclose his death and continue giving enemy a good fight.
Sir Lepel Griffin, gives a detailed and comprehensive account of Sardar Nalua's campaign of Jamrud. He points out that Sardar was directed to build a fort at Jamrud situated at the entrance of Khber pass from the walls of which Maharaja might glance Jalalabad in Afghanistan. Sardar got built a small port which was quite impregnable to the artillery fire and could hold on for several weeks of pounding. The Dost Mohammad Khan, with 7,000 horse, 2000 matchlock men and 18 guns. His three sons with their forces and a force of 12,000 to 15,000 of Khaibiris joined the main force and started pounding the fort. Mahan singh Mirpura requested help from Peshwar where Hari singh Nalua was ailing with fever. Hari immediately sent some horsemen to Lahore for more reinforcement and he along with his soldiers went to Jamrud. Reinforcement under Hari Singh Nalua give a new life to the garrison and attack of Afghanis was repulsed with vigour. Grifin further states that when Hari Singh Nalua along with about five of his companion went outside of the fort to inspect a breach in a wall, he was struck by two balls, one in the side and the other in stomach. Inspite of them understanding that he was mortally injured, the Nalua sardar managed to ride as far as his camp lest the troops be discouraged. Then laying on floor he gives his last order to his few trusted men, that was to not to disclose the secret of his death. Hari Singh further imparted instructions to his soldiers to cover his dead body after lifting it from the ground and placing it on a cot. Thus the great Sardar Hari Singh Nalua, with the terror of whose name Afghan mothers used to quiten their fretful children attained his martyrdom.

 

[RescueRanger]

Very Brave (sarcasm on).... Had that been a Pakistani solider doing the same Amnesty would have had a field day.

 

[somebozo]

Ouch..i think no body taught them manners and internation conventions about treating human remains!

 

[Capt.Popeye]

Originally Posted by Old School View Post
"My personal opinion on the Gurkas with their Khukris is less than enthusiast in term of any military significance. I would rather see them as a tradition among certain armies such as the Royal and Indian army. Whatever role the Gurkhas play can also be substituted with available resources. Therefore, they are not indispensable for any army.On the other hand , Gurkhas become a socio-political issue after their retirement as the recent immigration debate in the UK suggests. I do not foresee any future for the Gurkhas to keep their role as mercenaries. There are better alternatives to Gurkhas with much less hassles with the rise of PMC's. "

i must record my agreement with the points above. And the utility of such soldiering in modern warfare is shrinking.

Originally Posted by blain2 View Post
"So what is so brave about cutting off the head of a dead fighter on the battlefield? "

Yes indeed, this is cannot be an example of 'bravery'. Actually what is the essence of this thread and another one on this forum on Gurkhas has more of a relationship to folk-lore and creation of mythology. Yet that does not detract from the courage of Gurkha soldiers in many incidents.
But come to think of it, many times on the battle-field; 'bravery' is not far removed from 'demonic madness'.

 

[Jigs]

Good thinking. Bit on the barbaric side but if the ID is needed i don't see a problem with it at all.

 

[Hussein]

Good thinking. Bit on the barbaric side but if the ID is needed i don't see a problem with it at all.

like there is no other way to take his ID?

 

[Jigs]

like there is no other way to take his ID?

Well i am guessing they were just going to transport the body. Since they came underfire if they pulled back the terrorists would have taken it. So the head of the guy had to go with them for ID.