Against the backdrop of repealing of special status to Jammu & Kashmir under Article 370 and heavy security cover in Jammu & Kashmir, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said on Tuesday the Army is committed to once again having cordial relations with the people of the State just as it were in the 1970s and 80s. He also reiterated that the security forces are ready to deal with any challenge from Pakistan.
Elaborating upon the ties with local populace, the Army Chief observed that “the relations of the armed forces with the general public of Kashmir used to be very cordial in the 1970s and 80s. We will keep good relations with the general public. It would be great if that kind of camaraderie between the Army and general public begins again. We used to meet the general public without guns at that time.”
His views come at a time when the entire Kashmir valley is under unprecedented security umbrella to prevent any untoward incidents.
Stressing this point about having cordial relations with the local people, Rawat, however, assured that the country had nothing to fear especially after statements from Prime Minister Imran Khan warning about the likelihood of a Pulwama-type incident. Forty Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) men had died in February this year in Pulwama in a suicide attack.
On Pakistan deploying additional military resources along the Line of Control (LoC) over the last few days, Rawat said it was normal and not a matter of concern even as he asserted that Indian troops are prepared to deal with any security challenge in the region.
The Army Chief said every country takes precautionary measures and there is no reason to worry about the deployment of additional forces by Pakistan along LoC. “That’s normal. Everybody does precautionary deployment and movement of precautionary resources. We should not get too concerned about it,” Rawat said on the sidelines of an event.
This assertion came when he was asked about Pakistan increasing the number of troops along the LoC days after India removed special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The Army chief said Indian forces are prepared to deal with any security challenges along the LoC.
On whether the hostilities along the LoC are going to go up in the days to come, Gen Rawat said the choice is with Pakistan. “If the adversary wants to activate the LoC, the choice is his,” the Army chief said.
The Army is on high alert along the LoC to effectively repulse any possible Pakistani misadventure in the wake of India’s decisions on J&K. Top Army commanders in J&K are closely monitoring the overall security situation in the region to thwart any civil disturbances following the Centre’s decisions.
