Date:29/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/29/stories/2007092957730100.htm

Front Page

Infiltration contained, says Army Chief

Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI: Chief of the Army Staff General J. J. Singh handed over the baton of Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee to the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sureesh Mehta at an official farewell here on Friday.

Gen. Singh said he was ending his tenure on a confident note as the situation on the border was peaceful and stable. “In conflict-prone areas, where the Army has been deployed, there is very low level of violence marked by a return to normality. The people in these places are rejecting terrorism and violence and wish to lead peaceful and prosperous lives.”

“This has been our humble contribution to the challenge of terrorism. I think this has given us a feeling of satisfaction and pride. Infiltration has been contained to minimum levels and we are carrying out surgical operations based on accurate intelligence. The support of the people in this respect is also worthy of mention. Moreover we have been able to do the operations with minimum collateral damage and casualties to ourselves.”

Primary mission

Gen. Singh said the Army’s philosophy of an iron fist in velvet glove was being studied by other militaries. “This philosophy places people in the centre of gravity. If you win their hearts and minds, you are sure of winning half the battle. During my tenure, the Army has been able to project a humane face in handling every challenging situation in areas affected by terrorism.”

The Army chief felt the situation in the north-east and Jammu and Kashmir was not a purely military problem. There were political, social and economic aspects too. The government was addressing all these dimensions. “Once the State and Central governments feel we have fulfilled our mission, we would be happy to concentrate on our primary mission.”

The primary mission of being prepared to fight and win a war was getting the attention of 75 per cent of the Army and the entire Air Force and the Navy. Except for 25 per cent of the Army, the rest were training for the primary mission.

On modernisation, Gen. Singh said the Army had come a long way since the Kargil War. “The amount of modernisation has been remarkable. We also have to ensure that our soldiers and leaders absorb this technology. My focus has also been in making full use of precision guided ammunition and firepower rather than manpower.”