With Pakistan often threatening to use the nuclear option, new Army Chief MM Naravane said here on Friday nuclear weapons are only a deterrence and they never "came into play" in the past when India carried out operations, in obvious reference to surgical strikes and Balakot air raid. He also said at least 200-250 terrorists are trying to infiltrate into Jammu & Kashmir almost every day.
He said even though terrorist camps had again come up in Balakot post the IAF strikes in February last year, the Indian action sent a strong signal that terror launch pads and camps can be taken down. They cannot operate with impunity was the big message which the Balakot action underlined, Naravane said.
On the spectre of crossing the nuclear threshold, the Army Chief elaborated during an interaction with the print media that "historically nuclear weapons are deterrence and that is where their role ends." Further, India carried out two or three actions in the past without the nuclear option coming into play. He, however, did not specify those operations though the inference was clear about the surgical strikes across the Line of Control(LOC) two years back and the Balakot action last year.
The IAF has carried aerial strikes against terrorist training camps in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan in retaliation against the killing of 41 Central Reserve Police Force(CRPF) in a suicide bombing by Pakistan based proscribed terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad(JeM).
Asked if the air strikes served any purpose as the terrorist camps had again started functioning at Balakot, Naravane said besides sending a stern signal to Pakistan without naming it, the action also served a note of caution against any escalatory action in future.
Admitting that the terrorist camps had again sprung up in Balakot, the Army Chief said even in war time destroyed buildings are reconstructed after some time and said it is not correct to say that the Balakot strikes did not achieve much.
On terrorist infrastructure across the LOC, Naravane said they are active and at least 200-250 militants are waiting to infiltrate adding they are trying to coming almost "every day." He also said there are more than 25 launch pads and terror camps now active across the LOC.
Asked about the situation in Jammu & Kashmir post the abrogation of Article 370 giving special status to it in August last year, the Army Chief said the law and order is improving and facts speak for themselves. Incidents of stone pelting and terrorist initiated incidents have come down and levels of violence are also down, he added.
As regards China, he said India has to be firm in resolve but need not be aggressive and should be assertive legitimately. This observation was obviously in the backdrop of Chinese army many times transgressing the Line of Actual Control(LAC) leading to stand-offs.
Stressing the need to be correct, Naravane said there is no point in raising the ante and new friction points. Highlighting that over the years, India has focused on the eastern frontier facing China, he said infrastructure development is taking place.
Moreover, the situation on the nearly 4,000 km long LAC is constantly reviewed and the Army is now laying importance on three factors including infrastructure, surveillance and reserves. Clarifying that the entire LAC cannot be manned as the troop strength will be thinned out, Naravane said the focus is now on having good defences in vantage positions and using surveillance methods for less critical sectors of the LAC.
Replying to a query about paucity funds hampering modernization of the armed forces, Naravane said at the national level there are only finite level of resources and the budget has to be apportioned to various ministries.
Observing that everybody has a wish list and will not necessarily get everything, the Army Chief said solution lies in evolving more efficient systems to save money and cut down redundant processes.
He lauded the government for improving the war fighting capabilities of the armed forces by delegating more financial powers to the Vice-Chiefs. This resulted in arms and ammunition coming in and the Army is absolutely ready to take any task assigned to it, Naravane said.
Replying to a question over the perception that the Armed Forces are getting politicised, Naravane denied it and reiterated that the Services have been apolitical since independence. "I disagree that there is any politicisation of the armed forces," he said adding there is some misperception on that. On the Army being called frequently to assist the civil administration he observed they are the Army "of the people and for the people."