General Bipin Rawat addresses the media. Tribune photo

Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, January 1

Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat on Sunday sent out a strong message saying India wanted peace and tranquillity at the borders, but if needed, they would not hesitate to use force.General Rawat was talking to the media after inspecting a guard of honour at the South Block here. He had taken over as chief on Saturday and this was his first ceremonial guard of honour.

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Gen Rawat said, “We want peace and tranquillity at the border but the target of peace does not mean we are weak. If need be, we will not hesitate to use force.”India shares a 3,323 km boundary with Pakistan, including a 749 km Line of Control (LoC). The Indian Army lost 63 soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir in 2016 and there have been 225 violations of ceasefire by Pakistan across the LoC.On being asked about his priorities, he said, “There will be no change in vision and thrust areas of the army. It has been arrived at after due deliberations.”Earlier in his remarks, Gen Rawat said, “I am aware of the roles and tasks assigned to the army. This will include maintaining security at the borders.”On being asked about the fact that two of his seniors, Lt Gen Praveen Bakshi and Lt Gen PM Hariz, had been superseded, Gen Rawat said, “It’s a decision of the government. I respect the superseded officers. I hope we continue to work together to strengthen the Army.”Gen Rawat also sent across a message to all ranks of the army saying every soldier counted. “Everyone counts and is equal in my eyes,” he said in a possible effort to end the social media comments about promotion of Infantry over the Armoured Corps.