Ready for another surgical strike-like action: Army Chief Bipin Rawat to WION

The Indian Army can take another surgical strike-like action if infiltration doesn't stop from the Pakistan side, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said.

Speaking to WION Editor-in-chief Sudhir Chaudhary, General Rawat said, "The surgical strikes, which were carried out two years ago, was a well though-out plan against the brutality committed in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri. We (the Indian Army) keep devising plans to check infiltration from across the border and will not hesitate to take another similar action if Pakistan doesn't stop supporting terrorists or fails to check infiltration."

We will not let infiltration go on year after year; either Pakistan stops supporting terrorists or we will be forced to take action, he said affirmatively.

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"Terrorism emanating from Pakistan is the biggest challenge to the country. But surgical strikes are not the only option we have. The armed forces have several other better options for tackling cross-border infiltration and terrorism," General Rawat said.

The Army had conducted a massive surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line of Control on September 29, two years ago.

General Rawat also discussed India's Pakistan policy, what steps the Indian Army is taking, or planning to take, to deal with terrorism.

"India is progressing rapidly, we are taking rapid strides in development. But look at Pakistan. Its economy is falling, the education and healthcare sectors are in shambles. So Pakistan needs to understand that supporting terrorism is adversely affecting its policy and is not in sync with India's vision," General Rawat said.

He also gave some words of advice to the new Pakistan government led by Imran Khan and its army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa. General Rawat said that peace and stability in the region can be established only if the civilian government in the neighbouring nation and its armed forces make an honest effort towards it.

"Peace can come, insurgency and cross-border terrorism can end if the Imran Khan government in Pakistan takes an honest effort in that direction. Till the time the civilian government in Pakistan remains under the clutches of its army (ISI) peace will remain a distant dream," he said.

General Rawat also said that he feels sad as well as surprised when human rights activists raise concerns when a terrorist is eliminated. "How can you talk about human rights of a terrorist? He attacks innocent people. Such activists and organisations need to sit together and rethink their strategies," he said.

The Army Chief also said that Pakistan-backed terrorists are utterly frustrated with Indian Army's counter-terror operations in which several top terrorists had been eliminated.

General Rawat, while praising the officers and jawans of the armed forces, said that the country is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality and to protect the national borders.

The Army Chief also referred to the ongoing row over Rafale defence deal. He said that defence procurement should be done through Government-to-Government channels, which will eliminate the risk of middlemen and ensure transparency.

When asked if he harboured any political ambitions, General Rawat said, "No".

"I am not cut out for that. I would like to be remembered as an Army officer who lived his dream, who led his side with pride, and the one who always admired and respected his olive green uniform," he said.

The no-holds-barred interview with Army Chief came nearly a week after a BSF soldier was shot dead by Pakistani forces and his mutilated body was found later.