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India lodges strong protest over beheading of soldier
Talking tough over the January 8 incident in Mendhar area of Jammu and Kashmir, he said the beheading was "unacceptable" and "most unpardonable" and the troops would respond immediately, aggressively and offensively if provoked.
Beheaded soldier Hemraj's family threatens to fast to death unless Army Chief Bikram Singh visits
Slamming Pakistan for planting lies to justify the "pre-meditated and pre-planned" cross-LoC attack, he said Pakistan army's commando unit SSG had carried out the assault.
He did not rule out the possibility of Lashker-e-Toiba terrorists providing help to Pakistan army in the assault in which two Indian soldiers were killed, one of them beheaded.
"It (beheading of Lance Naik Hemraj) is unacceptable and unpardonable. It is barbaric. It defies all logic. It is against the very rules of engagement. It is against the ethics of soldiering... We are annoyed," the Army Chief said addressing a press conference on the eve of Army Day.
He revealed that Pakistani army had beheaded two Indian soldiers earlier also. "Yes, this has happened. We cannot conceal this fact," he said when asked whether two jawans of Kumaon regiment had been beheaded by Pakistani army over a year back.
Asserting that the Pakistani army "needs to be accountable", he said, "we reserve the right to retaliate at the time and place of our choosing."
Replying to a volley of questions during the nearly two-hour interaction, Gen Singh said he expected the Indian commanders "to be aggressive and offensive in the face of provocation. I don't expect my commanders to be timid... We shall not be passive when fire at. Therefore, when fired at, when provoked, we shall respond."
He said that there was prima facie some "tactical error" on part of the Indian army unit involved and "corrective measures" will be taken.
"At the strategic arena, what is of consequence and has hurt us is the behading of our soldiers. That is something which we will not tolerate and we will give a strong message. This has been conveyed by the government," Gen Singh said.
At the same time, he discounted the possibility of the skirmish leading to full-fledged war and was dismissive of Pakistan's nuclear blackmail, saying it had no relation to the local conflict.
"These are localised operations and would be dealt with as per our Standard Operating Procedures," the Army Chief said.
To questions about retrieving Hemraj's head from Pakistan, he said the issue will be taken up strongly at diplomatic level as also military level, including the Brigadier-level Flag meeting today.
"Let us see if the Pakistan army heeds to our protests and complies with it... We will have to pressurise them to give the head back," he said, while noting that India never indulges in such inhuman behaviour.
On the repeated violations of the border ceasefire that has been in place since November 2003, he put the onus on Pakistan for its maintenance.
"We will uphold the ceasefire as long as the adversary (Pakistan) does," he said, while asserting that Indian troops had never violated the agreement as claimed by Pakistan.
"Pakistani army needs to be accountable. It should respect civil control which it has not been doing," he said.
Rejecting Pakistan's contention that its action was in retaliation to Indian attack on January six, Gen Singh said, "They (Pakistan) have planted lies to justify what they have done."
Maintaining that Pakistani army was "poised for this operation" much in advance, he said such an attack requires preparation of at least 15 days, including recce, and cannot be launched in just two days.
"against the ethics of soldering!!" I expected better invocation of international law, such as the Geneva Treaty or something in this line, to pin point the violations. Our chief general is talking the layman's language. ok good, but not impressive.
They tried to stop kasabs hanging then why do they not do anything about this
Even Pakistan foreign minister said same i.e beheadingE is unacceptable.
india will and cannot afford a war with pakistan, as india will be threatened again by the taliban, just like in 2008, after the mumbai attacks! have you people forgotten? that is why india backed down after the threat by the taliban, i mean what country would like battle hardened ex mujahideens unleashing shear hell in their country.
The Army Chief General Bikram Singh has really quoted a positive comments in regard to the beheading of the Army Jawans at Line Of Control by the Pakistan Troops called this a coward brutal Act as Unpardonable . Really beheading the Jawan is against the rules framed under the Cease Fire . Mr Bikran Singh has clearly quoted that Indian Army has the to retaliate at any place or time . He focused his vision that the Indian Army is the best and is having a spistocated Weapons to curb the menace of Terror to be created from across the Border . Really the Pakistan Troops have created act of inhumanity by chopping the Heads of the Army Jawans who were patrolling at Line Of Control in the Indian Territory .He cautioned the Pakistan Troops to remain in Limits at the Line Of Control .
Merely strong posturing and talking will not do, remember what Gabbar singh says in sholay 'uthao bandook laga nishana in kuttoe par'. Pakistan is diverting it jihadi forces attention which is fighting its army towards India. All forces get unitied when it comes to India.
When the govt still sleeps over the death of more than 180 persons in Mumbai, it is a joke to think that another one dead at the front from the huge stock of 150 billion will make any difference to it. Our govt is in deep slumber and does not want to be disturbed. If any one dares to wake it up even with a candle march, they are ready with battons, water cannons, Tear gas shells and even bullets. The govt is very strong minded about its defenceless citizens but cowardice towards any external agression. It is mindless to think that the govt will act when they did not act even after attack on the symbol of our sovergnity, The Parliament.
Thanks to chief of Army staff and Air chief for their bold statement for other option and if proactive action from across the LOC the we will take aggressive action. Why not? We have strong and one of the best professional army in the world so go for all out we all are follow you in further course of action if we will do this other neighbour will also seat calm and quite. The big problem arising in NWFA will also cool down and India will not face big Jihadi threat in future which is likely to carry out operations in Jammu & Kashmir to assist LET.
Merely strong posturing and talking will not do. Take solid and urgent and severe response like Isreal then only things will work. No mediation by any body.Defence Minister should act boldly and not simply preach and warn.
The tough message from the Army chief, Gen Bikram Singh to Pakistan is highly appreciable especially while saying that India has the right to retaliate against Pakistan at the time and place of our choosing with remarks that "Directions to Commanders have been given to retaliate when provoked". Further, Gen Singh called the beheading of soldiers 'most gruesome and unpardonable act' and against ethics of soldiers. The Indian Army chief Gen Bikram Singh's strong and clear message to Pakistan will also enhance the morale of the forces and countrymen besides making Pakistan to understand to desist from cowardly acts of mutilations and decapitation of the Indian soldiers in future. India always honours the ceasefire line on the LoC and Pakistan should learn to behave as a disciplined army and avoid any repetition of the gruesome inhuman acts.
India is such a coward to take this issue to third party as they know they are the one violating ceasefire.
NO third umpire or fourth umpire or any Hawk-Eye Mr. Pakistani!! Just step across the border for even a centimeter, you would be promoted to hell forever with an one-way ticket. We Indians don't need U.N or any other rogue Umpires. I assure you from now on that there would be only one party remaining. No chance for your party buddy...so just forget about the third party....GOT THE MESSAGE..huh?
The tough message from the Army chief, Gen Bikram Singh to Pakistan is highly appreciable especially while saying that India has the right to retaliate against Pakistan at the time and place of our choosing with remarks that "Directions to Commanders have been given to retaliate when provoked". Further, Gen Singh called the beheading of soldiers 'most gruesome and unpardonable act' and against ethics of soldiers. The Indian Army chief Gen Bikram Singh's strong and clear message to Pakistan will also enhance the morale of the forces and countrymen besides making Pakistan to understand to desist from cowardly acts of mutilations and decapitation of the Indian soldiers in future. India always honours the ceasefire line on the LoC and Pakistan should learn to behave as a disciplined army and avoid any repetition of the gruesome inhuman acts.
Dear sir, please don't be paper tiger. Act on time at maximum as you have learned over the time how pakistan lived with lies. Pakistan and any muslim country will live with lies. Act and we are with you.
No country in the world can delay the human rights support to India on demanding back the head of the two tortured soldiers.This is a must as India is not demanding head against a head or an eye against an eye but the remaining parts of the body of their solders.Code of conduct of Pakistan army hiding behind the Taliban excuse must be exposed globally.
With due respect to our Army Chief, The military might, secular character, apolitical incline and strong loyalty to democtartic constitution have been hallmark of Indian Army. However, the political class and bureaucracy does not seem to recognise these strengths and thus is unable to project India as a strong state when it comes to international diplomacy. Mere statements do not make us a strong country unless we show substantial results thru strong willed and involved actions- be it in dealing with external and internal terrorism, naxalism and strong arm tactics frequently indulged in by our western and northern neighbours. Indian public is ill-informed and unaware of the major role of military in projecting India as a strong nation. This has resulted in non-modernisation of equipment and lack of speed in training, motivation and morale of our soldiers as per demands of increasing external and internal threats. It is high time we wake up and act rather than just talk.
The government and army is providing caliberated statement responses. Army that acts will not say anything. Silently plan and act. How many more beheadings are needed to get over this latency?
It's high time the cowards of pak military are taught a lesson.Seems like they have a very short term memory about their losses in past.
Thanks a lot Sir for taking a strong stand. But, I doubt whether our shameless political clout would maintain that pressure at a Diplomatic and Administrative level. I request you to please initiate covert operations and destroy all the Terror camps in P.O.K under the name of a secret organisation meant for safeguarding our country. Anyway,when the U.S would leave around 2014, this crazy jihadis are going to up their ante in J & K. It is clear that there would be high casualties and and even more dastardly acts on the army and the civilians. Hence, it would be sensible to initiate an offensive operation ASAP to REDUCE the future massacre. Unfortunately, we have allowed the Pakis to get nukes so a full-fledged war would be harmful for both the nations - courtesy to our useless political traitors. This is just my heart-felt wish and I am no one to direct a chief of a professional defense force. Whatever offensive action you take, I am ready to face all the consequences. Thank you
Wile condemning Pak action you have condemned Indian politicians gone to extent calling them traitors. Please remember that politics & diplomacy is not run by sentiments alone, going to war or increasing provocations militerily is easy to say than done. Even Lord krishna decided to shift his capitol to Dawrka to avoid day to day fights at Mathura, despite of being called Ranchode. So Govt. or politicians have the limited options before them.
