"25th Punjab Regt. is an elite Infantry unit of the PA. so they are using their best soldiers."
A couple of thoughts- Judging by the photo, the position is immaculate- clean; neatly stacked sandbags along the ramparts; a simple tea table adorned with a porcelain teacup and a small container. His command section seems to involve a single RTO manning a PRC-77 radio. The colonel is in helmet, ballistic vest and has his personal weapon with him.
The pink satelliate phone and carrier sitting on his lap are a mind-blower. I'm sure that's his wife on the other end and not some artillery battery. As to the cannoneers-
"Gunner commanders still direct fire from rear bases while playing cricket – and admit it with a laugh to their commanding officers..."
25th Punjab Inf. Regt. may be a fine outfit but Col. Baluch better go grab his artillery commander and get his *** back up with the guns.
My sense of artillery professionalism won't allow me to believe that comment. I doubt that these men would direct their cannons from a cricket field were they engaged against the Indians in the Punjab or along the Kargil/LOC. I further doubt that this battle is taken any less seriously by your military commanders.
Mr. Burke, methinks, plays to a British audience with a wee tad of hyperbole. Boost the ol' newspaper circulation, don't you know?
S-2,
As I mentioned above, the pink phone is something gathered up from the houses and made to work on the spot. This is not a standard issue to the field formations. The place had been taken over 2 hours prior to the pictures being taken.
For gunner commanders a little game of cricket is very much conceivable and goes on as it helps relieve stress. It even goes on across both sides of the LoC. Also contrary to what you may be thinking, the cricket pitch is right behind the Gun positions (its not really a pitch, any small bit of flat surface would do). Unless you have played cricket in the "gulleys" of Pakistan, you have no idea what fun can be had with cricket in a limited space..
I have been around artillery in Pakistan for a long time and contrary to the perception you may get from the article, our gunners know their jobs well and don't take it lightly. I would go on to say that they are as good as gunners anywhere else in the world.
Also note that 25 Punjab is an infantry regt. The gripe against the Artillery blokes would have to go through their own CO who upon hearing about the little game of cricket would probably laugh it off.
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