By: Haroon Imtiaz
Kulgam, often called the heart of South Kashmir, is a land of deep emotions—filled with stories of both struggle and hope. As I travelled through this beautiful region, I heard many voices. Some were filled with pain, but many others spoke of pride and belief in a better future. I had the chance to speak with the officers of the 34 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) of the Indian Army—the Adjutant, the Second-in-Command (2IC), and the Commanding Officer (CO). After hearing their stories, one message stood out to me clearly: the real spirit of Kashmiriyat—the essence of unity, compassion, and respect—is truly reflected in the work of 34 RR. Their mission is simple yet powerful: We belong to South Kashmir, and its people are our family. The Commanding Officer shared something beautiful. He said, our happiness comes from being part of the people’s lives—their joys and their struggles. We hope to be welcomed into their homes for a cup of tea. Not because we need it, but because that one cup builds trust, love, and understanding.
They openly accept that mistakes can happen—even by the Army. But what touched me most was their honesty and their strong desire to listen, learn, and make things right. If people have questions, let them come to us. We will always listen and do our best to help, the CO said with genuine care. During my time there, I met many young people from South Kashmir. Some were brave and wanted to help the Army fight terrorism. But their biggest fear wasn’t the enemy—it was what society would say.
One young man told me, If I say ‘Jai Hind’ to an Army officer, by the evening, our neighbours question my parents. They ask why their son is walking with the Army. These youth have hope in their hearts and trust in the Army—but fear of judgment stops them from stepping forward. When I asked the Commanding Officer what 34 RR was doing to help society, he smiled and said, Go visit our area. Talk to the people. You will see why they call us ‘Iron fist for terrorists, velvet glove for the people’.
And he was right.
In their area, I saw a school—Shaheed Lt. Ummer Fayaz Army Goodwill School, Behibagh. There are already many schools nearby, so why did the Army start one more? The answer was clear: not for profit, but for trust. The school sends a simple message: We care about your children’s future. Beside the school, there’s a Medical Room, offering free treatment to local people. Through Operation Sadbhavana, 34 RR also supports the education of children from poor families, giving them a chance at a better life.
One of their most powerful efforts is through the JKSSS scheme, where they sponsor full college and university education for deserving students—up to 1.2 lakhs per student. These silent acts of kindness are changing lives, even if many people don’t know about them. I had more questions, so I spoke with the unit’s religious teacher (Dharam Guru). I asked him, What is the religion of the Indian Army?
He smiled and gently replied: “Seva Parmo Dharma” – Service is the highest duty. He also said something wise: Everyone makes mistakes. But judging an entire group because of a few people’s actions is the biggest mistake of all. There are good and bad people everywhere. It’s up to us to choose what we focus on.
During my time in Kulgam, I gave a few lectures and met students who deeply admire Lt Gen D.P. Pandey (Retd), the former commander of 15 Corps. When I shared this with him, he sent back a message for them: “Stay focused on your goals. Don’t let the darkness distract you.”
I also felt how much people still love and remember Shaheed Lt. Ummer Fayaz. His sacrifice still inspires young people to dream of joining the Army and serving the nation. 34 RR keeps his memory alive through their work—just as he would have wished. Though I wrote this article, every word in it belongs to the Indian Army, the people of Kulgam, and especially the youth who want to change their land—but are held back by fear. Many only see the Army’s role in operations. But few see how they risk their own lives to protect and care for civilians during those same missions.
One young student once told me, We trust the Army, sir. We just don’t trust society. Some even said they once threw stones at soldiers—but today, they want peace. They say proudly: Our Army is good, because their hearts are pure. One day, an elderly grandmother invited me to her home for tea. After serving it with love, she asked, How is the tea, beta? I smiled and replied, Daadi, it’s very good. She laughed warmly and said, In Kashmiri, we say ‘Chai Chu Asal’—when the tea is good, it means everything is good.
Then she added, Tell your CO sahib from 34 RR to come have tea at my home one day. Ask him to say ‘Chai Chu Asal’ when he does. That one cup of tea, shared with love, says more than any weapon ever could. It’s a symbol of peace, trust, and unity. 34 RR doesn’t just fight terrorists. They dream of a time when militancy itself will end. That belief is what makes them who they are. After spending time with them and with the people of Kulgam, I now understand why they are called the Sentinels of Kulgam.
They guard more than borders—they protect hope. And they truly live by the words: Iron fist for the enemy, velvet glove for the people.
