Former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, an honorary Lieutenant Colonel, will join the army troops in Kashmir valley by month-end and will carry out patrolling, guard duties and similar responsibilities just like other soldiers.
The Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, on July 26, made it public that MS Dhoni will no longer need any protection as he is now responsible to protect the common citizens of India.
Dhoni, the world cup winning captain, will be staying with his 106 Territorial Army battalion (Para) from July 31 to August 15 and undertake duties with the troops, Army officials said. The unit is in Kashmir Valley as part of Victor Force.
Chief General Bipin Rawat while talking to the press on the eve of Kargil Vijay Diwas said, “Well, when a citizen of India dons the military uniform, he also has to be prepared to fulfil the task for which the uniform has been assigned to him.”
He then went on to add, “I think MS Dhoni has carried out his basic training. We know he will be able to accomplish the task. In fact, he will be protecting a lot of other people because now he will be performing with the 106 Infantry Battalion Territorial Army of the Parachute Regiment.”
The Territorial Army is a part of the Army. Its present role is to relieve the regular Army from static duties and assist the civil administration in dealing with natural calamities and maintenance of essential services.
Rawat ended by saying, “It is a very good battalion. They have been performing LoC duties, static protection and he will be part of it. He will be performing duties like any other official of the 106 Battalion.”
