Azadi Won’t Happen, We’ll Fight Those Who Seek Azadi: Army Chief

Expressing concern over the situation in J&K, the Army Chief said, “If you want to fight us, we’ll fight you.”

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat.

(Photo: PTI)

Expressing concern over Kashmiri youth “picking up guns” and resorting to stone-pelting, Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat has said, “I want to tell Kashmiri youth that azadi isn’t possible. It won’t happen. Don’t get carried away unnecessarily. Why are you picking up weapons?” reported The Indian Express.

“We will always fight those who seek azadi, those who want to secede. (Azadi) is not going to happen, never,” the Army Chief was quoted as saying.

The comment comes after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had said that the situation in the Valley could be changed if PDP-BJP followed the agenda of the alliance and if the Centre thought about a unilateral ceasefire.

She had expressed grief over the death of a 22-year-old tourist from Chennai who was killed near Srinagar as his vehicle was targeted by stone-pelters.

‘We Aren’t Like Forces of Syria & Pakistan’: Bipin Rawat

In his interview to The Indian Express, Rawat went on to say that the number of militants that are killed in the Valley aren’t of much importance as the cycle of recruitment will continue. However, sending a stern message to the militants, he said, “Nothing can be achieved by them. You can’t fight the Army.”

Rawat emphasised that the Army doesn’t enjoy the killings, but they retaliate when they are compelled to. Comparing the Indian Security Forces to the security forces of Syria and Pakistan, he went on to say:

“Kashmiris have to understand that the SFs (security forces) haven’t been so brutal –look at Syria and Pakistan. They use tanks and air power in similar situations. Our troops have been trying their level best to avoid any civilian casualty despite huge provocation.”

Rawat also questioned the protests by the locals during security operations and said, “Who is inciting them? If they want that the militants aren’t killed, they should go and tell them to come out without their weapons so that nobody is killed.”

Rawat also went on to claim that the people are inciting the security forces by pelting stones at them.

The Army’s Muscular Policy

Speaking of Burhan Wani’s encounter in 2016, Rawat said that everything was fine till that one encounter.

The Army did try a soft approach too. Until June 2016, everything was fine. What is it that incited people so much because of that one encounter? Everything was turned upside down in a few days’ time. The entire South Kashmir was out in the streets, throwing stones at us, attacking our posts. 

Bipin Rawat, Indian Army Chief

“By October-November, I was getting messages that people say ‘Azadi dur nahi hai’ (Azadi isn’t far away). Somebody was feeding this to people, telling them azadi was around the corner. Our posts were being regularly attacked. Stones were being pelted at our men,” he added.

He also claimed that the youth of Kashmir have gotten themselves into Pakistan’s trap and they are being instigated to attack the Indian army.

‘Army Is Being Attacked’

The Army Chief says that they are “ready to suspend” military operations, but he also raised the question of the security of his men.

Our men who were unarmed, who had returned home on leave were killed…(consider the case of) Lt Umar Fayaz. We killed his killers but we had to sacrifice four of our men to do so. Policemen are regularly attacked. Those who want to fight us, we will fight them.

Bipin Rawat, Indian Army Chief 

Rawat went on to say that the Army appeals to civilians to not disrupt operations, and not to pelt stones. Referring to an incident in which an officer was injured, Rawat said, “These youngsters who have picked up guns aren’t a challenge for us. Terrorists aren’t a big challenge for us. We have been telling the people (civilian population) not to come to disrupt our operations, not to throw stones at us,’’ he said:

“Recently, we left an operation unfinished at one place. We withdrew our men so that the situation didn’t turn bad. But as we left, our men came under fire from another house at a different place. A JCO (Junior Commissioned Officer) was injured. He is still in hospital.”

‘Young People Getting Excited By ISIS Flag’

The Army Chief said that the youth is getting radicalised and he reiterated his claim that the youth is being incited.

Young people are getting excited by ISIS flags. Do you know what that means? Do you want to Talibanise Kashmir? Do you want Kashmir to turn into such a society? Do you want to live in such a society? These young people do not understand the meaning of it all. Somebody is inciting these young people.

Bipin Rawat, Indian Army Chief 

On Major Gogoi

On being asked about his support for Major Gogoi who had strapped a civilian to his jeep and used him as a human shield, Rawat holds the view that it was the only option other than to open fire at the mob.

Besides, we were investigating the issue when an FIR was filed against him. My officer felt that he is being abandoned. I can’t let my officer feel that.

Bipin Rawat, Army Chief 

On Terrorism and Tourism

Bipin Rawat emphasised that terrorism is going to take a toll on the development of Kashmir.

Tourism has been adversely affected. Houseboats and guesthouses are empty. What will those people eat if they don’t earn?

Bipin Rawat, Indian Army Chief 

(With inputs from The Indian Express.)

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