Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 22: Recognising the bravery of Major Pramod Purushottam, who was killed in the ‘fidayeen’ attack on the Badamibagh Cantonment in Srinagar about 14 years back, the Army today unveiled his bust and paid floral tributes to the brave officer.
Maj Purushottam, was the Public Relations Officer (PRO) during the Kargil conflict. He was in his office when the militants had launched a suicide attack on November 3, 1999. He and seven members of his staff laid down their lives while trying to save three media-persons who escaped without any harm.
Interestingly, when the Lt Gen Gurmit Singh, GOC Chinar Corps today unveiled Purushottam’s bust, the media-persons and the family members of the late Army officer were kept away.
Major Purushottam, who was the face of the Army during the Kargil conflict, had been instrumental in improving the image of the forces during those difficult days when the Army was facing charges of human rights abuses in Kashmir.
However, the Army had at that point of time downplayed the incident and the then Corps Commander of 15 Corps had misled the Defence Ministry by saying the suicide attack took place outside the cantonment area.
Asked why the Army decided to unveil his bust now, the Corps commander said “ It is better late than never”.
Repeated requests for acknowledging the bravery of the slain Major, especially from the media-fraternity of the Valley, had earlier not yielded any results.
The three scribes, who were present at Purushottam’s office at the time of the attack, even now feel that they owe their life to Purushottam as he had made them hide in the rest room while himself taking the onslaught of the militants.
The family members spoken to by PTI said they were informed of the function very late and it was not possible for them to reach Kashmir in such a short time.
“We were informed in the evening of February 18 and it was not possible to plan the trip keeping in mind the old-age of his parents,” says his elder brother Vinod Purushottam from his home in Jabalpur.
Lt Gen Singh, when asked about the absence of family on the occasion, said “We will hold a function in honour of the martyred officer and invite his family.”
It may be recalled that on the day of the suicide attack, three journalists – S Tariq, Fayaz Ahmed and Habib Nagush were present in PRO office. On hearing the sounds of firing and sensing trouble, Maj Purushottam, without caring for his personal safety, forced the journalists to take cover in the bathroom attached to his office along with one of the unit personnel. The terrorists, amidst indiscriminate firing, stormed their way into the PRO’s office.
Late Maj Pramod Purushottam bravely fought the terrorists and made the supreme sacrifice while trying to save the lives of those locked in his office.
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