NEW DELHI: “When Indian Army says something, we should believe it. It is world’s best, professional, brave and having very high integrity.” This is what defence minister Manohar Parrikar said while hitting hard on those raising doubts over the predawn September 29 cross-border surgical strike.
Without taking any names, Parrikar has said some politicians are asking for proof from the day of the strike. But he has emphasized that the action by the army has increased the sensitivity very effectively among the Indians regarding national security.
"Two good things have happened after the surgical strikes. First thing is (that) except some politicians, every Indian is rising in unison and standing behind our brave soldiers. And the second thing is we (Indians) have acquired sensitivity regarding national security in a very effective way," he said.
Speaking at an event titled as “Know my Army’, Parrikar, with regard to the continues ceasefire violation by Pakistan at the Line of Control and International Border, maintained that army was giving a befitting reply to Pakistan forces.
"Violations are regularly taking place for the last five-six years. You can take out figures. But the only thing that has changed now is that we are giving effective reply," he said.
A senior Army officer said there have been over 25 ceasefire violations along the LoC since the surgical strikes by Indian Army in PoK. In the artillery firing by Pakistan army, five civilians and four army men have sustained injuries in Poonch and nearly districts.
To a question on security lapses, Parrikar said, "When you are doing things and if there are lapses in it, then mistakes should be rectified." Uri brigade commander was moved out for lapses, while eventually led to the killing of 19 Jawans by four fidayin terrorists.
However, the army sources have maintained that since the surgical strike, all parameters of security are at the highest level by the Indian army at the western border. According to official figures, till date, 87 cross border backed militants have been able to successfully infiltrate Line of Control. Whereas last year, this figure was less than 20 successful infiltration attempts.
Sources added that terrorists linked operations have gone manifold in Kashmir Valley, as 120 terrorists have so far been eliminated by the army and out which 95 were foreign terrorists. Besides army, eights militants were also gunned down by multiple operations by paramilitary and state police.
Military sources also indicate that several local youths believed to have joined the militant cadre in the time of 100 days of unrest in the Kashmir valley.
“Intelligence inputs clearly indicated several local youths have reached out to militant outfits in the last three months of unrest. Though the numbers are not confirmed but it appears to be huge,”said a defence source.
But for the army snatching of more than 100 weapons will be a tough task. “Missing of more than 100 police weapons will surely have the major role when peace returns to the valley,” said an officer.