Will give tough response to terror, says Army Chief

INDIA WILL give a calibrated “hard” response to terror activities that will compel Pakistan to completely rethink its strategy on supporting insurgency and terrorism, new Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat said.

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

He brushed aside Pakistan’s threat to use tactical nuclear weapons, saying such statements will not deter India from defending borders.

Asked about Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s statement that the enemy needs to feel the pain too, he said: “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 in New Delhi.

Gen Rawat, who took over as the27tharmychiefondecember 31, said, “We will calibrate the response in a manner that it hits them hard and compels them to thinkinthelongrunwhetherthey need to completely rethink their strategyonsupportinginsurgency and terrorism in our country”.

Gen Rawat also said that not every incident needs to be seen from the same perspective as there are a “large number” of terroristsoperatinginthevalleywho arealwaysattemptingtocarryout some sort of violence against the security forces and citizens.

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

“And if Pakistan is reviewing their strategy on use of nuclear weapons,itissomethingthatthey havedecidedtostrategise,”hesaid, addingthatpakistan’sstatements donotfindfavourwithindiaorthe international community.

Gen Rawat said one will have to wait and see what call Pakistan takes finally.

He said that the government, which decides the nuclear policy, may not be deterred by the threat if India is forced to get into a confrontation with Pakistan along the borders.

Responding to a question on whether India needs to revisit the “no first use policy”, Gen Rawat said all policies are subject to review. “Any policy that is made is subject to analysis and review. If a reviewisnecessary,wewillgowith the government,” he said.

Tashi Tobgyal Army Chief Bipin Rawat and Chief of Air Staff Birender Singh Dhanoa at the swearing-in ceremony of Chief Justice of India J S Khehar at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday.