Srinagar: Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday said that if Pakistan wants peace in the region, it should stop terrorists from infiltrating into Jammu and Kashmir.
“We want peace on the borders, but as you know Pakistan continuously violates the ceasefire that causes loss of life and property. In such case, we have to retaliate. If Pakistan wants peace, we expect them to take the initiative — which can be to stop infiltration of terrorists,” Gen Rawat told the media on the sidelines of a function in Pahalgam.
On halting operations against the terrorists during the Muslim month of Ramazan, the Army chief said: “We suspended the operations to give people an atmosphere of peace and I believe people are happy.
“If things continue in similar fashion, continuing of non-initiation of combat operations can be thought of. But if terrorist activities continue, we cannot do so.”
On the other hand, the Army chief said that Major Leetul Gogoi will face exemplary punishment if found involved in any unlawful activity.
Gen Rawat was asked to comment on the incident in which the Major was detained for questioning along with a girl by the police.
The Army chief said: “Major Gogoi will be severely punished if he is found involved in any unlawful activity.
“If anyone in the Indian Army, at any rank, does any wrong and it comes to our notice, then strictest action will be taken.
“If Major Gogoi has done something wrong, then I can say that he will be given due punishment and the punishment will be such that it will set an example.”
Major Gogoi hit the headlines in April last year when he tied a local weaver, Farooq Ahmad Dar, to the bonnet of an Army Jeep during stone pelting in Badgam district.
The officer was on Wednesday taken to a police station in Srinagar along with the girl and a man for questioning after the staff at a hotel reported that the officer had booked a room and wanted to stay there with the girl.
After questioning, police handed over the Major to his unit. A special investigation team headed by a Superintendent of Police has been set up to probe the incident.
Meanwhile, the family of the girl living in Chak-e-Kawoosa village of Badgam district has left the village after the news about the incident spread in the Kashmir Valley.
Reporters intending to meet the family discovered that the family had shifted to some unknown destination after the incident was reported by the media.