Army can use firearms at LAC
Field officers can order firing under ‘extraordinary circumstances’; Chinese informed about change in rules
The Indian Army has changed its rules of engagement on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, which would allow field commanders to order troops to use firearms under “extraordinary” circumstances.
This follows the violent clash between the Indian and Chinese armies on June 15 in which 20 soldiers including 16 Bihar’s commanding officer Colonel Santosh Babu were killed at the Galwan valley in eastern Ladakh.
According to sources, the Chinese have been informed about the change in engagement rules and that India will respond forcefully to any violence.
Earlier as per the 1996 and 2005 agreements between India and China, Army and ITBP (IndoTibetan Border Police) jawans were not carrying loaded rifles during patrolling and the barrels used to be pointed downwards.
The two sides do not open fire at each other as per the agreements. They are also not to use any blasting equipment within two kilometres of the LAC.
Now commanders on the ground can use any instrument under their command as they see fit during any aggression by Chinese troops at the LAC, sources said.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday in a meeting with Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat and the chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force reviewed the situation along the LAC which continued to remain highly volatile.
India has given its armed forces deployed at the LAC full freedom, said sources after the meeting. During the meeting, Singh asked the armed forces to maintain strict vigil on Chinese activities along the land border, airspace and in strategic sea lanes. He and asked them to adopt a tough approach in dealing with any misadventure by Chinese forces.
Singh, who will be leaving for Russia on Monday, also discussed the arms and ammunition requirement of the forces with Gen Rawat, Army chief Gen M.M. Naravane, Navy chief Admiral Karambir Singh and IAF chief Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria. He will attend the Victory Parade on June 24 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the victory in the Second World War. A Chinese defence delegation is also visiting Moscow. Both Indian and Chinese soldiers are also participating in the Victory Parade. During his visit, Singh is also expected to discuss