Army chief refuses to comment on Pak PM's visit

Army chief Gen Bikram Singh today declined to comment on the visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf to India against the backdrop of unease over the killing of two Indian soldiers by the Pakistan Army.

"It (visit of Pakistan PM) is a political decision... let's not make an issue out of it. Let the government take the decision. Being an Army chief, I would not like to comment on it," Singh told reporters here.

He was asked to comment on Ashraf's visit to India.

However, he said the Indian Army had already conveyed its concern to the Centre on the issue of ceasefire violations, beheading of an Indian soldier and brutal killing of another soldier by Pakistani troops in January.

"At that time, we showed our concern...We have shown our emotions (to the Centre)," the Army Chief, who was here to attend the War Decorated India Triennial National Convention cum Reunion, said.

He said the Indian Army was giving a "befitting" reply to any ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops.

"If they (Pak troops) violate ceasefire, hum bhi churian pehan ke nahin baithe hain (we are not wearing bangles). Our men also fire. This work is done at the tactical level and it is happening," he asserted.

"This action (reacting to ceasefire violations) is seen at the lower level and not decided at the Army Chief's level," he pointed out.
On the strengthening of road infrastructure near Tibet by China, the Army chief said India is also undertaking infrastructure development in its territory.

"China is carrying out development in its own area, we are doing in our area. Infrastructure development is an ongoing process. Each country does it," he said.
Earlier, addressing the gathering, Singh asked ex-servicemen to remain apolitical having been part of the disciplined force.

"I want that our ex-servicemen associations should not get politicised. We need to be disciplined. I am seeing that ex-servicemen associations are becoming political. It should not happen. We are secular and it is important, he asserted.