Representational image CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana HC said a soldier wounded when he fell into a nullah while searching for terrorists during a counter-insurgency operation was entitled to war injury benefits, adding even accidental injury in action in an operational area was treated as a battle casualty. A division bench of Justice Harsimran Singh and Justice Vikas Suri HC passed the order while dismissing a petition filed by central govt challenging a Nov 22, 2023, order of Chandigarh bench of Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), granting war injury pension to Havildar Sanjeeb Kumar. Centre’s counsel argued although Havildar Sanjeeb was permanently released under low medical category on Nov 30, 2020, for ‘fracture distal radius’ (wrist fracture) and granted disability pension, AFT’s order of war injury pension was incorrect. Soldier’s counsel contended he was searching for terrorists during his counter-insurgency duty along the Line of Control when he fell into Panar Nullah and got injured. After hearing both parties, HC held operations specifically notified by govt from time to time had been treated under Category E, and any disability arising out of these operations had to be treated as ‘battle casualty’. “Counsel for petitioners (central govt) has not been able to rebut the fact that the soldier was posted in Operation Rakshak on Line of Control between India and Pakistan, notified by govt of India. It was only while searching for terrorists in the area he fell in a nullah and sustained the injury,” HC said.About the AuthorAjay SuraAjay Sura is Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India Chandigarh. He covers news concerning the State of Haryana, Punjab & Haryana High Court and Defence & Military Affairs. He likes to analyse political developments and decoding judicial pronouncements. His hobbies include travelling, mountaineering and trekking.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosGround Report From Supaul: Voters Reveal Poll Mood; Employment, Liquor Ban Key Issues | BiharChampion Of Global Boot-Licking? Pakistan Competes For Gold In Trump Flattery OlympicsEscalation Fears Mount As Pakistan-Afghanistan Talks End Without Conclusion In Turkey’7 Brand-New Beautiful Planes Shot Down’: Trump Repeats India-Pak Ceasefire Claim In JapanDelhi Tries to Make It Rain With Cloud Seeding: A High-Stakes Weather Experiment to Fight Toxic AirHAL to Manufacture SJ-100 Airliner in India, First Indigenous Passenger Jet Effort Since 1988Biometric Crackdown: Green Card Holders Face New Rules as US Tightens Immigration SecurityLawrence Bishnoi’s Key Operative Jagdeep ‘Jagga’ Held at US-Canada Border After Global Manhunt29-Yr-Old Indian Anilkumar Bolla Becomes UAE’s Biggest Lottery Winner Ever in ₹240 Cr Lucky Day DrawPunjabi-Canadian Businessman Darshan Sahsi Shot Dead Outside Home in Suspected Targeted Killing123 Photostories Doctor rates 8 Ayurvedic herbs that naturally help lower blood pressureHow to beat procrastination and start achieving your goalsBollywood sisterhood rises from childhood dreams to screen power4 foods to combine with beetroot to boost iron intakeHalloween 2025: 8 last-minute costume ideas inspired by movies and TV seriesHarvard doctor shares 8 veggies to boost gut and liver health5 incredible Sun Temples in India for heritage travellersExclusive – Bigg Boss 19’s Baseer Ali calls out Salman Khan and makers for not guiding him during WKV; says ‘Malti’s remarks on my sexuality or Pranit’s joke were not addressed’Polki vs Kundan vs Jadau jewellery: Here’s the main difference that you didn’t know6 Rare purple animals that look straight out of a dream123Hot PicksCyclone MonthaBank Holiday TodayBihar Election 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays OctoberBank Holidays OctoberTop TrendingTaylor Swift Wedding DressRussell WilsonCardi BTravis KelceTom WillanderNHL Rumor Roundup 2025Los Angeles Clippers vs Golden State WarriorsWilliam NylanderJoe RoganKai Trump
CHANDIGARH: Punjab and Haryana HC said a soldier wounded when he fell into a nullah while searching for terrorists during a counter-insurgency operation was entitled to war injury benefits, adding even accidental injury in action in an operational area was treated as a battle casualty. A division bench of Justice Harsimran Singh and Justice Vikas Suri HC passed the order while dismissing a petition filed by central govt challenging a Nov 22, 2023, order of Chandigarh bench of Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT), granting war injury pension to Havildar Sanjeeb Kumar. Centre’s counsel argued although Havildar Sanjeeb was permanently released under low medical category on Nov 30, 2020, for ‘fracture distal radius’ (wrist fracture) and granted disability pension, AFT’s order of war injury pension was incorrect. Soldier’s counsel contended he was searching for terrorists during his counter-insurgency duty along the Line of Control when he fell into Panar Nullah and got injured. After hearing both parties, HC held operations specifically notified by govt from time to time had been treated under Category E, and any disability arising out of these operations had to be treated as ‘battle casualty’. “Counsel for petitioners (central govt) has not been able to rebut the fact that the soldier was posted in Operation Rakshak on Line of Control between India and Pakistan, notified by govt of India. It was only while searching for terrorists in the area he fell in a nullah and sustained the injury,” HC said.
