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| `There should be no dilution of AFSPA for time being' | | Army chief vindicates ET report on beheading video | | Asif Iqbal Naik
JAMMU, Jan 13: The Indian Army chief General Bikram Singh today vindicated the news report published in Early Times titled as (ET trace out entry of beheading video of Indian soldier into JK, LeT militant cum dual agent sold clip for Rs 50000 to agencies) two days ago.
The Army chief while addressing a press conference admitted that the video of beheading of an Indian soldier was recovered from a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant arrested by the Doda police in connection with grenade blast attack on police station Thatri in the month of April last year.
Singh said the authenticity of the video was being ascertained. Commenting on the video, Bikram said that they are still to verify the authenticity of the video and any action can be taken once the video has been verified. He also said that we (referred to media) should not continuously show the video as they are insensitive towards the martyr's kin.
"For any Army chief, the most important thing is the respect of the country and his soldiers who are fighting for the country at the border. Hence, we shall not accept any brutality against it but at the same time, an appropriate action can be taken only after the absolute verification of the video," said Army chief
When the video surfaced in public domain few days ago, the Home Ministry, MEA and the Army refused to respond. As already reported the Government and the Army knew about the video but chose to remain mum.
On situation along the LoC, General Bikaram said: "If Pakistan continues to break rules by supporting infiltration of militants along the Line of Control, India will pay in same coin. If rules are followed by our neighbours, we follow them as well. If they break them, we won't sit on it, we will break them too."
Replying a question on Pakistan media accusations that India violated ceasefire and opened fire on civilians at Muzaffarabad, the General said: "When ceasefire violation takes place along LoC, it is a minor war over there," he said, adding India's response to infiltration attempts is strong."
He said that the ceasefire is violated to aid infiltration of militants into Kashmir.
He said that we should wait for conditions to improve before making changes to the national strategy regarding the Army deployment in Jammu and Kashmir.
General also favours the stay of Army in Jammu and Kashmir and said that Armed forces need to stay on in Kashmir under the present circumstances. He said that attempts are on to ensure ceasefire violations are adhered to by both sides. It is our endeavor to control it, not escalate it.
He also refused to comment on statement made by Aam Admi Party leader Prashant Bushan and said that as a matter of principle, he did not comment on statements made by political leaders.
Apart from the brutal killing at the LoC, General Bikram Singh said that Army was looking at avenues for women officers in the Indian Army, adding that the combat power being enhanced, Quick Reaction Force are being formed.
He also said that Army is committed for zero tolerance towards human rights violation.
He said that today's ceasefire violation in Nanggi Tekri post of Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch is the first of its kind after DGMO of India and Pakistan meet. He said that he had asked DGMO of India to take the matter up with the Pakistan counterpart
He said that there should be no dilution of AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir in view of the prevailing situation in the region, including possible terrorist spill over into the Valley after US drawdown in Afghanistan. "We need to look at developments in Afghanistan in 2014 before we can look at perhaps tampering with or diluting the disturbed areas (act)," said Bikram Singh. He said that J&K is our state and nobody should have any doubts about it and added that Army is implementing the national strategy and the Army is playing its role as part of that.
It is pertinent to mention here that Union Government is on back foot after the surfacing of the beheading video clip in public domain and opposition parties like BJP and defence analysts has question the 9 month long silence and inaction on part of the Government. |
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