New Delhi: In a stern warning to Pakistan over sneaking terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Monday said that the force wouldn’t allow any anti-India activities in the state and will even take more military offensive steps in combating them.
Addressing Army personnel on 70th Army Day here, Gen Rawat said, “Pakistan Army has been continuously trying to help terrorists sneak into India along Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. We are using our might to teach them a lesson. If we are forced, then we may resort to ‘other action’ by stepping up military offensive.”
Stating that the Army with the help of other security forces would be able to curb the insurgency in the Northern Eastern States, Gen Rawat said, “Our intelligence based and people-friendly operations in the north-east have managed to limit terrorism to a large extent.”
On soldiers who have attained martyred in fighting with terrorists, the Army Chief said, “The nation and the force will never forget their supreme sacrifice.”
Praising the government for taking pro-active steps in matters relating to defence equipment, he said, “We have finalised a contract of Rs 30,000 crore in 2017-18. The Defence Minister herself was pursuing our cases. In a month, twice the meetings of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) are taking place.”
On modernisation of infantry, Gen Rawat said “We are focusing on futuristic weapon system. The procurement of modernised weapons for the infantry and night surveillance equipment for border areas are under process.”
In Army Aviation Corps, new helicopters were being inducted and in Air Defence, the upgradation work on missile system, control and reporting was on, he added.
Earlier, he reviewed the parade and awarded Sena medals at the Cariappa Parade Ground.
The Army Day is being celebrated on January 15 every year to mark the day Field Marshal K M Cariappa took over as the first Indian chief of the nation's Army in 1949.
On transgression in the Northern border, he said disputes along the Line of Actual Control in northern border (China) were continuing and transgressions were taking place and “We are working to stop them.” (UNI)