Won’t remain passive when attacked: Army chief

Ahead of the India-Pak flag meeting in Poonch, Army Chief General Bikram Singh on Monday said that India won’t remain passive when attacked and termed India’s response to Pakistani firing at its posts in LoC as ‘measured and perfect’. “India reserves its right to retaliate against Pakistan at time and place of its choice…” he said. Army commanders in the border have been given directions to respond immediately if provoked, he added. “The Army expects its commanders to be aggressive and offensive,” he said. He said the killing of two Indian soldiers on the LoC in Mendhar area of Jammu and Kashmir on January 6 was a pre-planned and pre-meditated action by Pakistani troops. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Gen Singh said the ceasefire, in place since November 2003, has been holding except for “some aberrations” for which he squarely blamed Pakistan. “Beheading (of Lance Naik Hemraj) is unacceptable and unpardonable,” the Army Chief said about the incident in which Pakistan soldiers crossed into the Indian territory to attack Indian army patrol party. "It (the attack) was stage-managed and pre-planned (by Pakistan). They (Pakistan) have planted lies to justify what they have done,” he said. He said the attack was carried out by Pakistan army personnel but did not rule out the possibility of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists's involvement. 'Tactical errors' Hitting out at the Pakistan army, Gen Singh said beheading is against all rules of engagement.   At the same time, he said there were some “tactical errors” on part of the local unit which will be looked into later as an inquiry at the moment will affect the morale of the forces.   “Our teams should be balanced to take on the onslaught of the enemy,” the Army chief said.   Putting the onus of maintaining the ceasefire on Pakistan, the Army Chief said India will uphold it as long as the “adversary” does.   He applauded the Indian Army Commanders at the LoC, saying they did a “great job“.   Gen Singh ruled out the possibility of the skirmish leading to a full-fledged war and was dismissive of Pakistan’s nuclear blackmail, saying it had no relation to the local conflict.   “Indicators does not show upping the ante,” he said. The Hindu