Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Monday warned Pakistan that if it steps up terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir, the Indian Army will “escalate” its offensive against the terror groups and even carry out “other action”. He also said the Pakistan Army is continuously trying to enable terrorists to infiltrate from across the Line of Control (LoC).
This stern message came two days after Rawat said the Army will continue to destroy Pakistan Army posts near the LoC as they harbour militants there and help them to sneak in. Rawat had also ruled out ceasefire as suggested by the neighbour till it stops infiltration. “Only after infiltration stops, the Army will then take a call,” the Chief had said adding the Government has permitted the Army to deal with the situation as it deems fit. He made this observation in the backdrop of ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army and efforts to increase levels of violence.
Addressing the troops here on Monday on the occasion of Army Day, Rawat said the Army is ready to escalate its offensive against terrorist groups of forced by the neighbouring country. “We will not let these anti-national elements to succeed at any cost. If we are forced, then we may escalate our military action and carry out (the) ‘other action’,” he said without elaborating the other actions that the Armed forces could undertake.
Asserting that the Army is using its might to “teach them a lesson,” the Army Chief said terrorists and their handlers are creating various challenges within the country by adopting new tactics.
“Targeting of Amarnath pilgrims, attacking policemen and Army personnel from Jammu & Kashmir, including murder of Lt Ummer Fayaz, were attempts to attack national unity and divide the society,” Rawat said. The Army is working in tandem with other security forces to maintain pressure on terrorists, he said and assured the Army is ready to tackle any threat facing the nation.
On China, he said disputes along the Line of Actual Control(LAC) with China are continuing and the Army is trying to stop the Chinese transgressions. He had earlier said the Army has increased its troop strength all along the LAC from Ladakh in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east to deter the Chinese from intruding into India.