Kashmir human shield situation-based, not standard operation: Army Chief

HYDERABAD: Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat on Saturday said use of human shield in Kashmir was “circumstances-based” and would not be used as a standard operating procedure as his soldiers had “a very good human rights record” and were doing a “great job” to bring peace in the troubled state. Gen Rawat exuded confidence that the Kashmir situation would be brought under control as trouble was only limited to some parts of south of the valley.

“Security forces and all agencies are doing a great job to bring the situation under control. Some parts of south Kashmir are troublesome. Necessary action is being taken. I don’t think there should be any cause of worry,” the Army Chief told reporters after reviewing the combined graduation parade at the Air Force Academy at Dundigal here. Speaking about the April 9 controversy over using a civilian as a human shield against stone-pelters in Kashmir, the General said every action was taken “considering the nature of task that we are expected to carry out under the circumstances”.

When a reporter asked if he would make using human shields a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), the Army chief remarked that the media was asking a question whose answer is known. “I will ask a counter question. Is media expected to report the truth what will be the answer. You would never say no. You are asking me a question the answer of which is known to you.”

When the reporter wanted to know if his answer means that human shields will be part of SOP, he said: “No. It is not. What I am saying is it is not considered. I said it depends on the circumstances. It is circumstancesbased. Each one takes action based on the circumstances, but the effort is to make sure that human rights violations are not there.”

He said his force was concerned about human rights and would make sure rights of people were not violated.

“We are an Army which believes very strongly in human rights and we have a very good human rights record.”