‘Befitting forceful reply for any action on LC or border’

TNN Bureau. Updated: 1/16/2017 12:35:44 AM Front Page

Don’t air grievances on social media: Army chief

NEW DELHI: Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat today promised tough position against terrorism and warned Pakistan that any ceasefire violation on the Line of Control (LoC) would be responded befittingly with "force".
Gen Rawat said that India wants peace on the frontiers with Pakistan as well as China and added, "Our efforts to restore peace on the border must not be viewed as our weakness. While being always ready, our policy is to take action at any place and any time."
He said, "I understand that our competitors" are aware of the strengths of the Indian armed forces.
"Despite Pakistan's continuous support to proxy war against India, we want peace on the Line of Control," he said addressing officers and jawans of the force at Parade Ground here on the occasion of Army Day.
"However, we will not hesitate from giving a fitting reply in case of any ceasefire violation," said Gen Rawat, who took over as head of the 12 lakh-strong force only 15 days back.
He said "ceasefire violations or untoward incidents propagated by Pakistan will be responded to by force" by the Indian army.
"I repeat, we will give a befitting reply to any action on LC or the border," the army chief said.
His warning to Pakistan came two days after he made it clear that more surgical strikes cannot be ruled out as India has the "right to retaliate" if Pakistan does not react positively to offers of peace.
On the terror menace, he said the situation on this front had "become very sensitive recently but due to brave action of the armed forces on the ground, we were able to improve on the situation."
He hailed the commendable job being done by the soldiers to stop the cross-border infiltration.
"On the northern front, India wants peace with China. Both sides are adopting confidence building measures (CBMs) so that tension on the border can be reduced. Despite transgressions on LAC, the armies on both sides have improved on mutual coordination," said Gen Rawat.
Speaking at the Army Day function, he also warned soldiers against using social media for airing their grievances, adding it could result in punishment.
The celebration, marked with customary parade and military display, also saw a "surgical strike" — like the one the Indian Army carried out on terrorist bases in Pakistani territory in September last year.
The Army Chief gave away 15 gallantry awards, including five posthumous ones.
Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, who died in an avalanche at Siachen, the world's highest battlefield, was among the awardees.
The Army chief also warned soldiers against using social media to air their grievances and asked them to approach him directly if their problems were not resolved.
"If any jawan has any grievance, he has been provided with the proper forum to resolve his issue and maintain a balance. If you are not satisfied with the action, then you can contact me directly," Gen Rawat said.
"A few colleagues are using social media to share their problems. It affects the morale of the jawans and thereby the army."
He asked soldiers to use the established channels, and said: "If you are not happy with the action, you can contact me directly."
But he warned those using the social media: "You can be held guilty for this and invite punishment."
The General went on: "We have the capacity to tackle cyber attacks, yet, we have to be careful against the enemy elements on social media, and also ask our families to be alert about it."
The comments come after a Lance Naik alleged in a video that "jawans are being exploited in the Army by officers".
The Army chief inspected a parade followed by a display by an army motorcycle team and a combat drill that brought alive the "surgical strike".
The operation showed soldiers slithering down a helicopter and destroying an enemy brigade headquarters while Pinaka rockets and Bofors guns provided cover support.
The Army Day is celebrated on January 15 to commemorate the day when Lt. Gen. K.M. Cariappa took over as the Commander-in-Chief of India in 1949 from General Sir Francis Butcher.

PM salutes soldierson Army Day

NEW DELHI: On the occasion of Army Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi saluted the courage and invaluable service of the soldiers and officers, including the veterans.
"Greetings to all soldiers, veterans & their families on Army Day. We salute the courage & invaluable service of the Indian Army," he tweeted.
“We remember with great pride all the sacrifices made by our Army. They put their lives at risk so that 125 crore Indians live peacefully,” the Prime Minister said.


Comment on this Story