For peace, won’t hesitate to use force at border: Army Chief

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 1

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, who has planned and executed two cross-border surgical strikes, today sent out a strong message, saying India wanted peace and tranquility at its borders, but would not hesitate from using its power in any form.

General Rawat was addressing the media after inspecting his first ceremonial guard of honour at the South Block in New Delhi. He had taken over as the Chief on Saturday.

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He said: “We want peace and tranquility at our borders but the target for peace does not mean we are weak. If need be, we will not hesitate to use force.”

General Rawat is former Army Vice Chief. He closely monitored the cross-Line of Control (LoC) surgical strikes on September 29 to target militants’ launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). In June 2015, General Rawat was heading the Dimapur (Nagaland) headquartered 3 Crops, when the Army destroyed militant camps of the NSCN (k) in Myanmar.

India shares 3,323 km border with Pakistan, including a 749 km Line of Control (LoC). The Armies on either side are eyeball to eyeball. Indian Army lost 63 soldiers in Jammu & Kashmir in 2016. There have been 225 violations of ceasefire by Pakistan across the LoC.

On the priorities, he said: “There will be no change in the vision and thrust areas of Army. It has been arrived at after due deliberations.”

Earlier in the day, General Rawat said: “I am aware of the roles and tasks assigned to the Army. This will include maintaining security at the borders.”

On two of his seniors — Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi and Lt Gen PM Hariz — being superseded, General Rawat said: “It’s the decision of the government. I respect the superseded officers. I hope we continue to work shoulder to shoulder in future to strengthen the unity and strength of the Army.”

General Rawat also sent across a message to all ranks of the Army saying every soldier of the Army counts. “Everyone counts and is equal in my eyes,” he said in a possible effort to put a lid on the social media comments talking about promotion of Infantry officers over those from the armoured corps or the Artillery.