Pakistan will pay for Sunjuwan sooner rather than later: Rawat
Pakistan will pay for Sunjuwan "sooner rather than later," Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said today, adding India has "several options including surgical strikes." He didn't elaborate further so as not to compromise India's tactics. Rawat also said India would implement ceasefire at the LoC when "Pakistan stops sending terrorists across the Line of Control." Ceasefire violation incidents have risen sharply in recent years.
Six soldiers killed in Sunjuwan attack
Terrorists of Pakistan-based JeM stormed the Sunjuwan military camp in Jammu on the anniversary of Afzal Guru's hanging on February 10. Six soldiers and a civilian were killed. Several were injured, including women and children. The attackers had crossed over from Pakistan last year and were likely helped by locals, police said. Three terrorists were eliminated and AK-56 rifles, grenades and more were recovered.
Ceasefire violation incidents rose from 271 (2016) to 860 (2017)
Meanwhile, ceasefire violations have also increased. In 2016, 271 such incidents were recorded, but it rose steeply to 860 the next year, according to government data. Infiltration attempts have also increased, up from 121 in 2015 to 371 in 2016, according to SATP.
'What to do when surrounded by mob?': Rawat on civilian-killings
Talking about the Shopian killings, Rawat said, "The cases (against armymen) were withdrawn as a goodwill gesture but what goodwill are (stone-pelters) showing?" He added that the army had "fired in the air first." "What do you expect us to do when surrounded by a stone-pelting mob?" On January 27, two civilians were killed in army firing in Shopian. J&K Police had lodged FIRs against army personnel.
All soldiers are martyrs: Army chief reminds media
Rawat also addressed the controversial incident when the army tied a local to a jeep bonnet and drove around. He maintained they honor "local sentiments and don't conduct operations during (funeral processions), even though terrorists come and fire in the air." Rawat advised media not to focus exclusively on soldiers killed by Pakistan, adding all martyrs are equal, "even those killed in an avalanche".
