India, March 20 -- Army veterans on Thursday urged Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria to order a magisterial inquiry into the assault on Colonel Pushpinder Bath and his 22-year-old son, Angad, by 12 Punjab Police personnel in Patiala on March 13.

In the letter to Kataria, Major General (Dr) Kulpreet Singh, the president of the Cavalry Officers Association, Chandigarh chapter, that comprises about 250 officers, wrote: "Given the grave nature of the incident and heinous assault by those entrusted with upholding the law, it is imperative that an impartial investigation be conducted. A magisterial probe is warranted to restore public faith in the rule of law. The assault sets a dangerous precedent and demands immediate intervention at the h...