Rawat positive on ties with Pak

Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat is ready to give “some time” to his Pakistani counterpart Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa to improve the border situation.

Gen Rawat would, however, further strengthen the perimeter security of the army camps following last year’s terror attacks in Uri and Nagrota.

Asked about his expectation from the new Pakistan army chief, Gen Rawat said, “He is also new in the job. Let’s wait and watch if he is also for peace and tranquility. In case they (Pakistani soldiers) act wrongly, we reserve the right to retaliate.”

In a curious coincidence, many years ago, the existing chiefs of the Indian and Pakistan Army served in Congo under the United Nations flag, both heading a unit each, under the overall command of Gen Bikram Singh (then a brigadier) who later became the army chief. However, Rawat and Bajwa didn’t serve concurrently.

Gen Rawat said he even spent a night with 36 Punjab — a part of the Pakistan Army — in Congo where troops from India and Pakistan served in a professional manner.

Use of technology

On improving the security of the army camps in Jammu and Kashmir, Rawat said the army would increasingly use technology to guard the perimeter of its camps.

“We are relying excessively on human beings in protecting the camps. Lapses happened due to human error, weather and climate. We now have to factor in technology and imbibe it so that the men on the task get adequate rest,” Rawat said.

The army chief said the Northern Command was working on psychological warfare and nullifying the impacts of those who indoctrinate the youth in Jammu and Kashmir with jihad and separatist ideologies.

Rawat said Pakistan has promised the return of Indian soldier Chandu Babulal Chouhan, who inadvertently  crossed over to the other side in September.

“He will be repatriated after completing some formalities,” he said.