In a hard posturing, Indian Army Chief General Bikram Singh Monday warned Pakistan that Indian army will retaliate if it is provoked.

New Delhi, Jan 14:  Terming the beheading of two Indian army men by Pakistan soldiers as “barbaric” and “gruesome”, Indian Army Chief General Bikram Singh Monday warned Pakistan that Indian army will retaliate if it is provoked.

“The beheading of our soldiers is unacceptable. It defies all logic and is against very ethics of soldiering. My heart goes out to the families of the two Indian soldiers. It was a gruesome and unpardonable act,” General Bikram Singh told reporters in Indian capital.

Indian army has said two of its soldiers were killed by Pakistani soldiers, who crossed Line of Control (defacto border between India and Pakistan in Indian administered Kashmir) in Poonch sector of Indian Kashmir on January 8 and attacked them. It had said that the Pakistani soldiers took head of one of its dead army men alongwith them. However, Pakistan army has denied its involvement and said no such incident had taken place.

Asked about measures being taken to bring back the head of one of its soldiers, Indian army chief said, “We have taken it up strongly with Pakistan and the matter is being pursued through diplomatic and military channels”.

Earlier, today Indian and Pakistani army officers held a flag meeting in Poonch sector, where January 8 incident had taken place.  During the flag meeting, Indian Army commanders reportedly raised concerns over ceasefire violation and mutilation of its two soldiers by Pakistani army last week.

Lending support to his men and officers deployed on Line of Control (LoC) and border with Pakistan, General Bikram Singh said, “Indian Army commanders doing a great job at LoC”.

I don’t expect my commanders to be timid

“I don’t expect my commanders to be timid, their response is retaliation after provocation. Their response has always been measured and for effect,” he said and warned Pakistan that Indian army will retaliate if provoked.

He said Indian army upholds LoC ceasefire, which has been in place since November 20003. “As long as the adversary upholds it, we will adhere to it. However, if there is violation from the other sides, we will also retaliate. Orders are clear that when provoked our ground troops can return fire”.

General Bikram Singh said India reserves the right to retaliate against Pakistan at time and place of its choice. “We won’t remain passive when attacked”.

Pakistan’s attack on its soldiers was pre-planned

Stating that Pakistan’s attack on its soldiers was pre-planned, he said, “The LoC operation was pre-planned and stage-managed with a media campaign by Pakistan. Such an operation requires planning, detailed reconnaissance. The firing from Pakistan army is a manifestation of their frustration. Their troops are not moving forward but we are watching.”

It is pertinent to mention here that on Sunday last, Indian Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne had warned Pakistan that if it continues ceasefire violations then India will explore all options available.

Pakistan side has alleged that India violated LoC ceasefire on January 6 by breaching LoC and targeting one of its posts in Hajipir sector in Kashmir. It had said one of its soldier was killed and another injured in the Pakistan attack. However, India has denied the charge.

With tension continuing the prevailing on the LoC between Indian and Pakistani soldiers, China and United States have urged the two countries to maintain calm and peace and resolve their issues through talks and dialogue.

 

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News

 

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