Will give “hard” response to terrror from across border: Army

Team Udayavani, Jan 4, 2017, 6:27 PM IST

New Delhi: India will give a calibrated “hard” response to terror activities that will compel Pakistan to completely rethink its strategy on supporting insurgency and terrorism here, says new Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat.

Gen Rawat, who as the Vice Chief was actively involved in the surgical strikes on terror camps across the LoC, also feels while it has to be ensured that “pain” is felt by the terrorists and their supporters, the response need not be in the same manner always.

He brushes aside Pakistan’s threat of use of tactical nuclear weapons, saying such statements will not deter India when it comes to defending our borders.

“While we do agree that we have to retaliate and ensure that the pain is felt by the terrorists and their supporters, the response need not be the same every time,” the army chief told PTI in an interview here.

Gen Rawat, who took over as the 27th chief on December 31, said, said “We will calibrate the response in a manner it hits them hard and compels them to think in the long run whether they need to completely rethink their strategy on supporting insurgency and terrorism in our state”.

He was asked about Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s statement that enemy needs to feel the pain too.

Gen Rawat also said that not every incident needs to be seen from the same perspective as there are “large number” of terrorists operating in the valley who are always attempting to carry out some sort of violence against the security forces and citizens.

Asked about Pakistan’s threat of using tactical nukes, the army chief said nuclear weapons are weapons of deterrence.

“And if Pakistan is reviewing their strategy on use of nuclear weapon, it is something that they have decided to strategise,” he said adding that Pakistan’s statements doe snot find favour either with India or with the international community.