PUNE: A retired colonel in Pune, who had helped to set up “suicide squads” in 2002 to combat Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, does not find it extraordinary that some ex-servicemen may have been connected with the Malegaon and Modasa blasts of September 29.
“Army officers also have emotions like any other Indian citizen,” Colonel Jayant Chitale, 62, told DNA on Monday. “They may feel like doing something for the country if they feel that the government is failing to take action in sensitive matters. The government should be tough against whoever is involved in terrorism, irrespective of religion.”
Chitale was among those who felt the government was ineffective in tackling Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and took the lead to create “suicide squads” some years ago to deal with the situation.
An advocate of retaliatory terrorism, he made headlines when he founded the Maharashtra Military Foundation (MMF) in 1993 and began training “suicide squads” with prior intimation to the state government, in 2002.
“The best way to counter Pakistan-sponsored terrorism is to kill five in their country when they kill one in India,” Chitale said. “This was the objective of the MMF.” “Motivation” was the most important aspect of the 15-day training for the squad’s members, he said.
Chitale told DNA that the MMF had established two such squads with 30 members each who were trained at the MMF’s Commando Training Academy in Mumbai. He did not give details about the deployment of these squads but said its members were ready to lay down their lives to combat Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
Chitale said the state government initially cut the power and water supply to MMF’s academy. The MMF later suspended its activity at the request of the Indian Army “as it was becoming embarrassing for the army”.
But he warned that unless “instant justice and punishment” is meted out to those indulging in terrorism, militant organisations will feel emboldened to carry out their attacks and bomb blasts.
Chitale, son of a freedom fighter, joined the artillery regiment in 1968. He saw action in the 1971 Bangladesh war and in Operation Blue Star in 1984. He left the army after 20 years of service to “spread awareness about militarisation in Maharashtra”.
Chitale was trained in the erstwhile Soviet Union in surface-to-air missile operations. His MMF inspired more than 850 Marathi youths to join the armed forces.
