Former Army chief J.J. Singh joins SAD

Chandigarh (Punjab)[India], Jan. 7(ANI): The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Saturday inducted ex-Army chief (retd) general J.J. Singh ahead of the Punjab state assembly polls, in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal in Chandigarh who branded the development as 'historic'. "We are proud of the fact that the first Sikh Ex-Army Chief has joined SAD and he will be contesting from Patiala," Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said. Badal who termed the moment as historic also announced that he will be contesting from Patiala. General (rtd) Singh, who was the first Sikh officer to become the army chief, has been provided security cover by the police in Patiala. At least 12 cops and vehicle have been put on the job on the orders of ADGP (security). Singh fought the 1965 and 1971 wars, apart from being among the architects of defeating Pakistani intruders in Kargil. Interstingly Congress stalwart Captain Amarinder Singh, too, had served on the Indo-Pak border during the 1965 war.(ANI)