New Delhi, May 13
The Army has started a formal probe into the May 10-11 ugly brawl involving jawans and officers of the 226 Field Regiment of the Artillery at Mahe firing range near Nyoma Airfield in Ladakh.

Sources said Defence Minister AK Antony is understood to have expressed his displeasure to the Army top brass over the initial report that attempted to cover up the clash. The minister has asked the Army to take immediate “corrective” steps so that such clashes do not recur.

The army had submitted a brief report to the Ministry on Friday evening, almost a day after the incident. Sources said Antony now wants a full report.

In their attempt to restore order, senior officers of the Northern Army Command had on May 11 promised the troops that officers who beat up Suman Ghosh, a ‘Sahayak’, will be punished.

The free-for-all started on May 10 around 6.30 pm when Ghosh was allegedly thrashed by a Major and four other officers. The officers allegedly blocked the jawan’s treatment, possibly fearing that the military hospital would report the matter to the higher-ups.

Reports said Major AK Sharma’s wife had complained to him against Ghosh’s behaviour. She was staying at the Border Roads Organisation Guest house, where Ghosh was stationed.

Deputy General Officer Commanding of the Karu-based 3 Division Brigadier Ajay Talwar will conduct the Court of Inquiry (CoI). The Leh-based 14 crops will provide the chronology of events to the CoI.

A Colonel-rank officer has been detailed to help the regiment wrap up as the Commanding Officer, Colonel Prakash Kadam, lies injured at the Leh military hospital. The Army has described the incident as a minor scuffle and has not given out details.