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Army’s operations in Kashmir will continue unabated despite the government’s attempt to have a “sustained dialogue” with all stakeholders of Jammu and Kashmir, Army Chief Bipin Rawat has said.
“The government’s Kashmir strategy has worked and we are negotiating from a point of strength,” Rawat said during an event organised by FICCI here on Wednesday.
Rawat also said the appointment of former Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma as interlocutor would not impact the army’s activities in the valley.
“The government has appointed him. Let him work. His appointment is not going to affect army operations. The situation (in Kashmir) has improved with infiltration on the decline. We have killed terrorists on the Line of Control because of which the situation has improved,” the COAS added.
His remarks came days after Home Minister Rajnath Singh announced that the government would be holding sustained dialogue with stakeholders in Jammu and Kashmir and entrusted the former IB chief to conduct the task.
Indigenisation driveRawat also spoke at length on the army’s robust modernisation plans through the indigenisation route. He said concerted efforts were being made to build synergy among the army, the industry and academia to give impetus to modernisation of the army through indigenisation. Rawat said the army was looking for ways to integrate technology with its manpower to beef up the nation’s defence capabilities. Towards this end, the Indian Army is ready to facilitate the industry in meeting its defence requirement, he said, adding that funding was an issue and industry needed to come forward and scale up the innovations of DRDO to fulfil the needs of the army.
Electronic surveillanceHe stressed on the need to deploy robust intelligence and surveillance systems to prevent terrorist attacks like the ones in Uri and Pathankot.
“Security of bases in hinterlands is a cause for concern ... We are working on plans to deploy electronic warfare and early-warning systems to keep an eye not only on border areas but also in the interiors,” he added.
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