Army Veterans Slam Remarks Against Soldiers Over Viral Ladakh Video

NEW DELHI, Aug 20: Former Army officers have strongly criticised remarks made by a tourist in a viral video from Minamarg in Ladakh, saying soldiers deployed in sensitive border areas should not be unfairly blamed or disrespected.

The video, widely circulated on social media, purportedly shows a woman confronting security personnel after being stopped at a barricade in Minamarg. She is heard questioning restrictions on tourists and saying, “We are Gen Z, we’ll not tolerate this nonsense.”

Mizoram Governor and former Army Chief General VK Singh (Retd) said the incident was a reminder of the courage, sacrifice and vigilance of soldiers guarding the country.

“Whatever the circumstances, unfairly blaming or disrespecting our soldiers is wrong,” Singh said in a post on X, adding that criticism should be based on facts rather than emotion or sweeping accusations.

Former Chinar Corps Commander Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon (Retd) also defended the soldiers deployed in the region and urged the tourist to remain respectful and law-abiding.

“Soldiers pay their taxes in advance, even before they get their pay,” Dhillon said, stressing that tourists could visit such areas because soldiers guard them day and night, even at the cost of their lives.

Another former Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen Satish Dua (Retd), said the remarks amounted to a degradation of the sacrifice of soldiers. He noted that Ladakh’s status as a border region carried security sensitivities and that Army personnel also pay taxes.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also criticised the use of “Gen Z” as a threat in response to perceived affronts. He said such rhetoric could undermine the goodwill associated with the younger generation.

The Minamarg area lies along the Srinagar-Leh highway near Zoji La in Kargil district, where security checkpoints regulate movement amid sensitive terrain and changing weather conditions. (Agencies)