Talking to the media at Officers Training Academy in Chennai, General Rawat said, “Pakistan violates ceasefire to push terrorists into our territory. We know how to deal with ceasefire violations. Our troops know how to position themselves and take action. We are alert and will ensure that maximum infiltration bids are foiled.”
Asked if the Army is planning another strike to counter the resurgence, General Rawat said, “Why should we repeat the same action? Why not go beyond that? Let them keep guessing.” Gen Rawat said Balakot was reactivated by Pakistan very recently.
Following the devastating terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama on February 14, the Indian Air Force conducted airstrikes on one of the crucial terror camps of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot and destroyed the establishment.
The Army Chief’s comments come days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is to address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Yesterday, at the mega “Howdy, Modi!” event in Houston, where he shared a stage with US President Donald Trump, the PM took on Pakistan and said it was time to fight against terrorism and those who supported terror. “Whether it is 9/11 in America or 26/11 in Mumbai, where are its conspirators found? Not just you, the whole world knows who these people are,” he said without naming Pakistan.
Pakistan’s move to re-activate the Balakot Jaish camp belies its commitment to the international community on not giving shelter to terrorists on its soil.
Pakistan has been placed on an “enhanced blacklist” by the global terror finance watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF). A 15-month deadline for Pakistan to act on FATF’s 27-point action plan, which includes arresting terrorists and freezing their fund sources, ends in October.
