“We are enemies on the battlefield. Off that, let’s be civil to each other if we cannot be friends”.

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On Wednesday after the tragic chopper crash in Coonoor in which CDS General Bipin Rawat, his wife Madhulika and eleven other soldiers died, Brigadier (retired) RS Pathania tweeted to condole the demise.

Brigadier wrote: "Salute you, Sir. Jai Hind.” 

Among those replies and prayers below it, former Pakistani Major Adil Raja who is the spokesperson for the Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society (PESS) posted a very touching and respectful comment. "Sir, please accept my heartfelt condolences.” 

Pathania responded heartwarmingly, “Thank you, Adil. That’s what is expected from a soldier. Salute you.”

The exchange of gratifying words of Major Raja for this touches everyone’s heart for the amount of respect and honour he had towards an ‘enemy’ nation.

He posted “Off-course sir, it's the decent thing to do as a soldier. Again, sorry for your loss sir.

In our Punjabi folklore they say, "dushman maray te khushian na manawoo, kadday sajna v mar jaana".

Means: "Don't celebrate the deaths of your enemies as someday friends would also die".

This beautiful comment prompted Pathania to write “Thank you again Adil. I understand Punjabi and speak it as well.

We are enemies on the battlefield. Off that, let’s be civil to each other if we cannot be friends.”