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#PLA_Myths
1
Came across this report about an Indian General being appointed as the Force Commander in South Sudan despite PLA trying to place their own guy (Link:sniwire.com/africa/india-p…)
Replugging some thoughts I shared some years ago on the PLA peacekeepers in South Sudan.
1
Came across this report about an Indian General being appointed as the Force Commander in South Sudan despite PLA trying to place their own guy (Link:sniwire.com/africa/india-p…)
Replugging some thoughts I shared some years ago on the PLA peacekeepers in South Sudan.
#PLA_Myths
2
So I came across this 2015 news report, some days ago. A piece that I found V.E.R.Y interesting. The headline is catchy enough – ‘UN peacekeepers refused to help as aid workers were raped in South Sudan’.
theguardian.com/world/2016/oct…
2
So I came across this 2015 news report, some days ago. A piece that I found V.E.R.Y interesting. The headline is catchy enough – ‘UN peacekeepers refused to help as aid workers were raped in South Sudan’.
theguardian.com/world/2016/oct…
#PLA_Myths
3
But it is the second part of the headline that caught my eye – CHINESE TROOPS ABANDONED THEIR POSTS RATHER THAN ENGAGE IN FIGHTING AND PROTECT CIVILIANS!
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But it is the second part of the headline that caught my eye – CHINESE TROOPS ABANDONED THEIR POSTS RATHER THAN ENGAGE IN FIGHTING AND PROTECT CIVILIANS!
#PLA_Myths
4
Interesting, I thought!
Did a little more digging around on the www and came across another nugget of V.E.R.Y interesting information. Will come to that in the latter part of this thread.
But first let me share some thoughts on the piece above.
4
Interesting, I thought!
Did a little more digging around on the www and came across another nugget of V.E.R.Y interesting information. Will come to that in the latter part of this thread.
But first let me share some thoughts on the piece above.
#PLA_Myths
5
Firstly let us talk about the facts listed out in the news report above:-
(a) The Chinese peacekeepers were entrusted with the responsibility of a one civilian protection site in Juba.
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Firstly let us talk about the facts listed out in the news report above:-
(a) The Chinese peacekeepers were entrusted with the responsibility of a one civilian protection site in Juba.
#PLA_Myths
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(b) In the month of July 2015, fierce attacks were mounted by one of the rebel groups in Sudan, leading to ‘tens of thousands’ of civilians seeking safety from successive bouts of fighting, at that site.
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(b) In the month of July 2015, fierce attacks were mounted by one of the rebel groups in Sudan, leading to ‘tens of thousands’ of civilians seeking safety from successive bouts of fighting, at that site.
#PLA_Myths
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(c) However, the Chinese peacekeepers stayed on in their bases rather than protect civilians. Heck, even the Ethiopian troops had done far better, helping evacuate wounded civilians and returning fire when needed.
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(c) However, the Chinese peacekeepers stayed on in their bases rather than protect civilians. Heck, even the Ethiopian troops had done far better, helping evacuate wounded civilians and returning fire when needed.
#PLA_Myths
8
(d) On the last day of the fighting, about 80 to 100 government soldiers attacked a compound in Juba where they raped and gang-raped at least five international aid workers and physically or sexually assaulted at least a dozen others.
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(d) On the last day of the fighting, about 80 to 100 government soldiers attacked a compound in Juba where they raped and gang-raped at least five international aid workers and physically or sexually assaulted at least a dozen others.
#PLA_Myths
9
(e) All this happened when there was a UN Base manned by Chinese peacekeepers only a few hundred metres from the compound. However despite dozens of appeals for help from the besieged aid workers and personal visits from at least one who escaped from the ..
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(e) All this happened when there was a UN Base manned by Chinese peacekeepers only a few hundred metres from the compound. However despite dozens of appeals for help from the besieged aid workers and personal visits from at least one who escaped from the ..
#PLA_Myths
10
.. compound, the Chinese peacekeepers simply REFUSED to leave the safety of their base.
(f) During four days of fighting between the rival forces, artillery rounds and gunfire hit two UN bases, killing two Chinese peacekeepers.
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.. compound, the Chinese peacekeepers simply REFUSED to leave the safety of their base.
(f) During four days of fighting between the rival forces, artillery rounds and gunfire hit two UN bases, killing two Chinese peacekeepers.
#PLA_Myths
11
(g) And what did the vaunted PLA troopers do? They not only failed to return fire, but in fact, RAN AWAY FROM THEIR POST.
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(g) And what did the vaunted PLA troopers do? They not only failed to return fire, but in fact, RAN AWAY FROM THEIR POST.
#PLA_Myths
12
(h) To add insult to injury, in their haste to save their skins, they even LEFT BEHIND THEIR WEAPONS AND AMMO – something a professional soldier would not even dream of doing. EVER.
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(h) To add insult to injury, in their haste to save their skins, they even LEFT BEHIND THEIR WEAPONS AND AMMO – something a professional soldier would not even dream of doing. EVER.
#PLA_Myths
13
So here is what I make of the entire issue – The PLA soldier didn’t move out of the safety of his compound, favouring his personal safety over his responsibility to his fellow human beings.
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So here is what I make of the entire issue – The PLA soldier didn’t move out of the safety of his compound, favouring his personal safety over his responsibility to his fellow human beings.
#PLA_Myths
14
To some extent (and I say this ‘coz I am not entirely aware of the rules of engagement they were bound by), this might be explained by the rules of engagement that MIGHT have prevented them from interfering in the factional fighting in the area.
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To some extent (and I say this ‘coz I am not entirely aware of the rules of engagement they were bound by), this might be explained by the rules of engagement that MIGHT have prevented them from interfering in the factional fighting in the area.
#PLA_Myths
15
MIGHT have, ‘coz I am not sure it actually prevented them. More on that in the latter part of this thread.
However, even the refusal to fire back in self defence, more so when two of their comrades had been fatally wounded, reeks of cowardice.
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MIGHT have, ‘coz I am not sure it actually prevented them. More on that in the latter part of this thread.
However, even the refusal to fire back in self defence, more so when two of their comrades had been fatally wounded, reeks of cowardice.
#PLA_Myths
16
And then the biggest ignominy a professional soldier can heap upon himself – THEY FCUKING ABANDONED THEIR POSTS AND RAN AWAY!
Not only that, they left behind their weapons and ammo.
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And then the biggest ignominy a professional soldier can heap upon himself – THEY FCUKING ABANDONED THEIR POSTS AND RAN AWAY!
Not only that, they left behind their weapons and ammo.
#PLA_Myths
17
An entire post cowering behind the apparent safety of their compound walls instead of discharging their duty when humanity is being raped and murdered all around.
Let that sink in a bit
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An entire post cowering behind the apparent safety of their compound walls instead of discharging their duty when humanity is being raped and murdered all around.
Let that sink in a bit
#PLA_Myths
18
And when the compound too becomes unsafe, they emulate their Pakistani friends’ favourite battlefield tactic – they run away!
And this is the bunch of (fill in the blank) with which the PRC threatens the battle hardened Indian Army today!
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And when the compound too becomes unsafe, they emulate their Pakistani friends’ favourite battlefield tactic – they run away!
And this is the bunch of (fill in the blank) with which the PRC threatens the battle hardened Indian Army today!
#PLA_Myths
19
Now coming to another interesting nugget I discovered when searching for more info on this incident. I came across this report.
IT WAS THE INDIAN ARMY THAT SAVED THEIR SORRY BACKSIDES! indiatoday.in/india/story/so…
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Now coming to another interesting nugget I discovered when searching for more info on this incident. I came across this report.
IT WAS THE INDIAN ARMY THAT SAVED THEIR SORRY BACKSIDES! indiatoday.in/india/story/so…
#PLA_Myths
20
The report itself doesn’t mention the abandonment of posts by the PLA peacekeepers.
A very ‘convenient’ omission, I'd say.
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The report itself doesn’t mention the abandonment of posts by the PLA peacekeepers.
A very ‘convenient’ omission, I'd say.
#PLA_Myths
21
However, as per the report, INDBATT II, comprising of the men of 7th Battalion The Kumaon Regiment, who were held in reserve, were asked to take charge and restore the situation, which they did with extreme professionalism and ruthlessness.
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However, as per the report, INDBATT II, comprising of the men of 7th Battalion The Kumaon Regiment, who were held in reserve, were asked to take charge and restore the situation, which they did with extreme professionalism and ruthlessness.
#PLA_Myths
22
Here’s a typically modest way the news report chose to describe their actions – ‘It was learnt that troops also secured the perimeter which was smashed by the IDPs and ensured the armed militiamen were weeded out.’
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Here’s a typically modest way the news report chose to describe their actions – ‘It was learnt that troops also secured the perimeter which was smashed by the IDPs and ensured the armed militiamen were weeded out.’
#PLA_Myths
23
Yes, they ‘secured’ the perimeter and ensured the armed militiamen were ‘weeded out’.
Typical Indian media’s way of underselling themselves!
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Yes, they ‘secured’ the perimeter and ensured the armed militiamen were ‘weeded out’.
Typical Indian media’s way of underselling themselves!
#PLA_Myths
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Or perhaps, something that they are so used to from the Indian Army, that they take it as a matter of fait accompli – Send in Indian troops, job will be done.
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Or perhaps, something that they are so used to from the Indian Army, that they take it as a matter of fait accompli – Send in Indian troops, job will be done.
#PLA_Myths
25
Oh, btw, it was the same militiamen who had scared the hell out of the famed PLA troops and routed them that the Kumaonis calmly ‘weeded out’!
Rest of the report makes for an interesting read too.
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Oh, btw, it was the same militiamen who had scared the hell out of the famed PLA troops and routed them that the Kumaonis calmly ‘weeded out’!
Rest of the report makes for an interesting read too.
#PLA_Myths
26
So here it is. An Army that fought its last war in 1979, an army that has ‘won’ against an outsider only once in 5000 years of its nation’s history, in 1962, was exposed for what it was – shiny toys and scared brats afraid to wield them when time comes!
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So here it is. An Army that fought its last war in 1979, an army that has ‘won’ against an outsider only once in 5000 years of its nation’s history, in 1962, was exposed for what it was – shiny toys and scared brats afraid to wield them when time comes!
#PLA_Myths
27
(Regarding the ‘war experience’ of the PLA, that is a thread which will come in another few days, btw)
Sabre rattling in front of apparently weaker neighbours is fine, but god save you if the ‘weaker’ neighbour draws out his own sword!
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(Regarding the ‘war experience’ of the PLA, that is a thread which will come in another few days, btw)
Sabre rattling in front of apparently weaker neighbours is fine, but god save you if the ‘weaker’ neighbour draws out his own sword!
#PLA_Myths
28
Some days later came this UN report, titled 'Executive Summary of the Independent Special Investigation into the violence which occurred in Juba in 2016 and UNMISS response'
(Correction: I wrote 2015 in the 2nd tweet instead of 2016)
un.org/News/dh/infocu…
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Some days later came this UN report, titled 'Executive Summary of the Independent Special Investigation into the violence which occurred in Juba in 2016 and UNMISS response'
(Correction: I wrote 2015 in the 2nd tweet instead of 2016)
un.org/News/dh/infocu…
#PLA_Myths
29
Btw, do read the report linked in the above tweet - A very diplomatically worded report, with some TIGHT slaps to those concerned, documenting failures at every level, including that of the famed PLA contingent that were running around like a headless chicken.
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Btw, do read the report linked in the above tweet - A very diplomatically worded report, with some TIGHT slaps to those concerned, documenting failures at every level, including that of the famed PLA contingent that were running around like a headless chicken.
#PLA_Myths
30/30
Oh, btw, the title of the photograph of PLA Peacekeepers posted in the second tweet of this thread, in The Guardian report is – ‘Peacekeeping troops in South Sudan ‘underperformed’ during violence in July.’
’nuff said!
:Fin:
30/30
Oh, btw, the title of the photograph of PLA Peacekeepers posted in the second tweet of this thread, in The Guardian report is – ‘Peacekeeping troops in South Sudan ‘underperformed’ during violence in July.’
’nuff said!
:Fin:
^^
Above thread in my blog: People's Liberation Army - Calling the Bluff
cestmoizblog.com/2017/08/12/peo…
Above thread in my blog: People's Liberation Army - Calling the Bluff
cestmoizblog.com/2017/08/12/peo…
