If Govt asks, I'll say extend ceasefire again -- Army chief

If Govt asks, I'll say extend ceasefire again -- Army chief
EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE

NEW DELHI, JANUARY 12: Calling the ceasefire in the Valley a bold step by the Government, Chief of the Army Staff Gen S Padmanabhan today came out strongly in support saying that the situation is conducive for yet another extension of the ceasefire.

``When we weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the ceasefire, the advantages far outweigh the negative aspects of the ceasefire,'' he said addressing his first press conference before the 53rd Army Day. The decision, however, lies with the government, he added.

Padmanabhan said that the ceasefire had offered a glimmer of hope to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. ``For the first time, they are coming out of their homes and staying out on the street till 10.30 at night without fear of terrorists,'' he added.

``The decision on whether or not to extend the ceasefire lies with the government. But if the Army is asked, my advice will be yes,'' he said. Padmanabhan said that the situation had improved not only along the Siachen glacier (for the first time in 16 years) but also along the Line of Control and the Jammu section of the international border.

``Firing is definitely less on the LoC and on the Siachen glacier limited to small arms in one part (central glacier). There are some incidents in the interior but those are basically limited to two foreign militant groups opposed to the peace process,'' he said, naming the Lashkar and the Jaish-e-Mohammad.

``Some terrorist groups opposed to peace process may be recuperating but there isn't total freedom for them either. We know where they are and based on specific intelligence, we do strike at their camps even now,'' he clarified. The chief refused to comment on the issue of court martial of some officers in the Kargil conflict. ``Since the matter is sub judice it is not proper for me to comment on the issue. But we are in the process of revising the archaic rules in the Army Act and I am conscious that law must keep up with the times,'' he added.

He made an emphatic case for the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) saying that since India acquired the status of an overt nuclear power, the Government needs a single-point defence advice which the CDS could offer.

In reply to another question, he said that the Army was opposed to increased deployment in counter-insurgency operations. ``In our recommendations to the task force and group of ministers, we have said that we should be used as a last resort and para-military forces like Assam Rifles and Rashtriya Rifles be raised,'' he said.

On stress killings by service personnel in J&K, he said that the Army carried out a detailed study and felt the need to improve officer-soldier relationships. Pakistan, he said, had not pulled back any troops from the line of control but had only recalled some troops who had moved forward for training and exercises. He also said that the Indian army had pulled back some troops from the Siachen and Kargil sectors and pruning would go on further depending upon the ground situation.

On the need for second strike capabilities, he said that it depended on survivability and that is why the armed forces were focusing on the three services possessing capabilities to deliver. Between low intensity conflict and nuclear warfare there is space for conventional warfare and we are developing in all fields, he said.

The chief also spoke of his vision of the Army in the 21st century. ``It is a highly motivated, well trained, appropriately equipped force capable of operating in any circumstances from low-intensity conflict to nuclear warfare with least time spent on conversion. I want the army to be versatile and equip them with the correct troops,'' he added.