Soldiers vote to 'guard' democracy even after hanging uniforms

Retired servicemen, who had fought Indo-Pak wars in this border constituency of Jammu and Kashmir, today braved the winter chill for their "national duty" to caste votes and strengthen democracy in the state, in their bid to counter the ongoing Pakistan-sponsored proxy war.
79-year-old retired Naib Subedar Kartar Singh, who had fought in 1965 and 1971 wars, has been living under the shadow of Pak guns in Hiranagar border constituency badly hit by attacks from across the border, but was among the first persons to have voted.
"I am performing my national duty even after hanging my uniform as a solider by voting to defend, guard and strengthen the democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, where its is under assault from Pak-sponsored proxy war," Singh said, adding that everyone should exercise their franchise with dedication to keep the democracy alive in the state.

The Hiranagar segment has a large number of ex-servicemen living along the International Border (IB).
"Soldiers never die even if we hang our uniforms. But we will continue to perform our national duty to make Indian democracy powerful and world's best by voting," former solider of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI), Sansar Chand, who cast his vote among 994 electorate at Londi polling station, said.
Other than safety and security along the border, the electorate in this constituency also voted for development, permission to cultivate their lands, and reservation for IB youths in recruitment to Army.