NEW DELHI: The Indian Army chief, General Bikram Singh, on Monday admitted the killing of 10 Pakistan Army soldiers as he levelled allegations of ceasefire violations on Pakistani troops.
“Let me assure you that action has been taken. I can invite the attention to the Geo TV report on December 23, which talked of their one officer and nine Jawans being killed with 12-13 being wounded. This has happened due to the firing of your soldiers on ground. They have done their bit,” he said addressing the annual Army Day press conference here.
In a warning to Pakistan, Gen Bikram Singh vowed to respond in equal measure if Pakistan broke any rules as he revealed that 10 Pakistani soldiers had been killed in a recent military action.
He rejected the perception that the Indian military had not retaliated against the beheading of its soldiers by Pakistani troops last year.Gen Singh said it was virtually a “mini war at the local level” whenever a ceasefire violation took place at the Line of Control (LoC).
“The soldiers are doing a stupendous job. The local units are doing a good job. The soldiers have reacted well and they have reacted well as required,” he asserted.
When referred to the alleged repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan at the LoC, the Indian army chief said, “It depends, if rules are followed by our neighbours, we follow the rules. If rules are broken, obviously we cannot stick to the rules. Even we are going to break the rules.”
“We will pay Pakistan back in the same coin,” added the Indian Army chief.At the same time, he said that through retaliation, the “endeavour is not to escalate the situation into operational or strategic arena. It is to deal with the same measure if not more and give a befitting response in a professional manner at place where we are fired upon.”
Gen Singh was asked to comment on the notion among common people that though he had promised retaliation after the beheading of soldiers in the Mendhar sector, no action had so far been taken.
He also noted that the frequency of ceasefire violations had decreased ever since the meeting between the Director General Military Operations of both the countries was held in December last.
“Ceasefire violations have continued. Since the agreement on ceasefire violation there has been a reduction in them. After that these ceasefire violations have been for infiltration bids,” said General Singh.
“Our forces respect the laws of Geneva Convention. We do act. Our forces retaliate in a professional way,” he added.He further said that there was zero tolerance towards human rights violations.
When asked to comment on AAP leader Prashant Bhushan’s statement to withdraw troops from J&K, the army chief refused to make a statement, saying as the head of the army, he never commented on politics.
General Singh further voiced his opposition against tampering with AFSPA in J&K and added that army must stay in the state.Responding to the Indian army chief’s statement regarding ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC, Pakistan military spokesman said that it was contrary to the facts on the ground.
According to an ISPR press release, Pakistan Army respects the ceasefire agreement in letter and spirit.After the meeting between the Director Generals Military Operations on December 24 last, the situation along LoC had improved considerably. Such accusation and provocative statements were regrettable and counterproductive, the spokesman added.
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