Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 28

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said India was facing Pakistan-sponsored hybrid war since 1947 and advised against lowering guard in wake of recent overtures like opening of the Kartarpur Gurdwara corridor.

“In tackling hybrid warfare we have two options — one is to engage in hybrid warfare as a nation or be defensive. Pakistan is an example of what happens. There is no good or bad terrorist. The use of such elements will eventually cost the country itself. Creating unrest in other countries is not something that we do,” he said.

Gen Rawat said a coordinated approach and response was being given. Pakistan has used regular and irregular (terrorists) forces for hybrid warfare in J&K. Pakistan’s modus operandi for long time has been to send terrorists supported by regular forces, he said.

He described hybrid warfare as a well-sequenced warfare focusing on population and infrastructure. “As a nation, we have never been expansionist. We want to be peaceful with our neighbours,” he said at the annual YB Chavan Memorial lecture on “Addressing the Challenges of Hybrid Conflict in the 21st Century” at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.

Chavan was the Defence Minister from November 21, 1962, to November 13, 1966.

General Rawat said the tolerance level of Kashmir had decreased and the Kashmir youth were being misguided.