Issuing a stern warning to Pakistan that India will not hesitate in carrying out strong action against inimical moves, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Tuesday said the western neighbour continues to aid and abet terrorism.
Making this assertion while addressing Army personnel on the occasion of the 71st Army Day here, he also said the Indian forces were giving a “befitting reply” to the enemy on the Line of Control (LoC) and inflicting heavy losses. The Army is making all efforts to ensure dominance on the LoC and will continue to do so, he added.
“Our forces are giving a befitting reply to our enemies along the Line of Control (LoC). They are suffering heavy losses. I am warning our enemy (across the LoC) that we will not hesitate in carrying out strong action against any inimical action,” Rawat said.
Referring to the situation in Jammu & Kashmir, he said the army has inflicted heavy damage to terrorists adding youths in the state were being terrorised and forced to take up arms. “We do not want that people in J&K are disturbed. Our neighbouring country has a hand in these activities. Terrorists are being trained and given arms by our neighbouring country, which is being termed State-sponsored terrorism globally,” the Army chief said.
As regards the situation on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, Rawat said the armies of both
India and China have issued new guidelines to their respective forces.
“Efforts are on to maintain peace and tranquility along the (eastern) border. But we will keep reviewing the situation. Our soldiers will not allow any compromise in guarding the border in the eastern sector,” he said adding that the orders given by the Government will be strictly followed.
Giving the assessment on the scenario in the North-east, Rawat said the situation is peaceful in the region and the Army is carrying out regular anti-insurgency operations.
He also urged Army personnel and their families to be careful in using social media which he said is being used for radicalisation. Referring to criticism of the Army’s pyramid structure, the Army chief said, “For us, the VIP is the jawan who faces the enemy along the LoC.” On synergy and jointness with the Navy and IAF, he said “we will achieve decisive victory along with the Navy and the Air Force in case of a war.” The Army, Rawat said, was carrying out major restructuring and modernisation of the Army.
“The security challenge facing the country will become more complex in the coming years. We will have to keep enhancing our combat prowess so that we can defeat our adversaries. I assure that we will keep the trust reposed on us by the people of the country,” the Army chief said.
Earlier, he reviewed the Army Day parade at the Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantonment and awarded 15 Sena Medal (including five posthumously) for individual acts of gallantry.
Every year Indian Army celebrates January 15 as “Army Day” to commemorate the day when General (later Field Marshal) KM Carriappa took over the command of Army from General Sir FRR Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief in 1949 and became the first Commander-in-Chief of Indian Army post Independence.
The Army Day parade on Tuesday was commanded by Major General Rajpal Punia, Chief of Staff, Delhi Area.