LUCKNOW: Army chief General Bipin Rawat, on Saturday said Indian authorities would not shy away from resorting to strong military action if Pakistan “failed to stop pushing (militants) into India.”
General Rawat, who was in the state capital at the concluding ceremony of Medex-2019 the field medical exercises of ASEAN and ASEAN Plus countries— said terrorism on Indian soil would not be tolerated. He was speaking at the convention.
“We are also followers of peace and harmony but cannot tolerate any attempt to disturb our integrity.”
Claiming that Indian Army was fully prepared to take action against Pakistan if they meddled with the peace of India, the Army chief said the army was ready with the plan to take action against camps “still active in Pakistan.”
“In future also such strikes will continue. If atmosphere will be vitiated, we will act again,” he said adding that if needed, the army would take action in consonance of political decision irrespective of the ongoing elections.
“Elections do not impact Army’s action,” he stated. The army chief elaborated by saying that plan to target “Lashkar” camps was also ready and that the Indian army was capable of facing any challenge in the aftermath of airstrikes.
Lt Gen Ranbir Singh Visits Ladakh
Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, General Officer Commanding – in-Chief, Northern Command visited forward posts in Western Ladakh on Saturday and reviewed operational preparedness in the sector. He was accompanied by Lt Gen YK Joshi, General Officer Commanding, Fire & Fury Corps.
Lt Gen Ranbir Singh interacted with troops deployed on the Line of Control and complimented them for the high standard of professionalism displayed by them, despite the terrain and weather challenges, a defence spokesman said. He urged them to continue to discharge their duty with the same tenacity and resolve.
Lt Gen Ranbir Singh also paid homage at the Kargil War Memorial.