Kargil veteran's family in Pune asked to prove Indian citizenship – 'Is this how soldiers are treated?'

Pune city

The family of a Kargil war veteran in Pune has alleged that they were forced to prove their Indian citizenship after a group of 30 to 40 men, accompanied by police, arrived at their home late on Saturday night. The family lives in the Chandan Nagar area of eastern Pune and includes multiple Army veterans, The Times of India reported.

The family of Hakimuddin Shaikh, 58, who served in the Indian Army’s 269 Engineer Regiment and fought in the 1999 Kargil war, said they were left shaken by the late-night episode.

"We were told to wait until 3 am and warned that if we failed to prove our citizenship, we would be declared Bangladeshi or Rohingya," a family member alleged.

“I served this country in Kargil. My family has been living in Pune since 1960. Why should we have to prove our identity now?” Hakimuddin asked.

According to his brother, Irshad Shaikh, a large group of unknown men arrived around midnight, shouting slogans and banging on the doors, demanding identity papers. “They were aggressive and rude. One plainclothes officer tried to calm things down, but a police van was also waiting nearby,” he was quoted by TOI as saying.

The family includes two other Army veterans, Shaikh Naeemuddin and Shaikh Mohammad Salim, who served in the 1965 and 1971 wars. "Is this how soldiers' families are treated?" Irshad asked. "What does being Indian mean if we have to prove it every time someone knocks at the door?"

The family said even valid identity documents such as Aadhaar cards were dismissed by the group as fake. “They shouted at the women, told them to wake up and show papers,” TOI quoted Naushad Shaikh, a nephew as saying.

Another nephew Shamshad Shaikh alleged police summoned them again Sunday. "We waited over two hours before being told the inspector wasn't coming. Our documents are still with them."

Deputy Commissioner of Police Somay Munde said police were acting on a tip about illegal immigrants and let the family go once documents were verified. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar confirmed an investigation is underway. “If any wrongdoing is found, strict action will be taken,” he said.