Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, December 18
In February this year, after the terror attack near Pulwama and the subsequent airstrikes on Balakot, matters between nuclear armed neighbours India and Pakistan were tense. How was it tackled what were the tensions? Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, whose three-year tenure ends on December 31, told a group of mediapersons, “Situation along the LoC (Line of Control) can escalate any time. The Indian Army has to be always prepared for an escalatory matrix.”
In race to be first chief of defence staff?
- Army Chief General Bipin Rawat’s remarks came in the backdrop of spurt in ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the LoC since the abrogation of Article 370 in August
- Gen Rawat played a key role in pursuing a policy of hot pursuit in dealing with cross-border terrorism in the Valley after he took over as Army Chief on December 31, 2016
- He is due to retire on Dec 31 but it is likely that he will be appointed as India’s first Chief of Defence Staff. PTI
Gen Rawat did not specify what could have been the retort of the Army had there be another Pulwama-style terror attack or had the Pakistan Air Force jets attacked the ammunition dump on February 27 during the air duel post-Balakot. Pakistani missiles were dropped close to the ammunition dump.
Gen Rawat, when he had taken over as Chief of the 1.3 million-strong Army at the end of 2016, had laid down three targets: Restore the image of the Army; remain prepared for operations and address the rumblings within the force.
During his tenure, the Army has moved the concept of integrated battle groups (IBGs) which would start off with the area around Pathankot and Jammu. Another IBG will be in 33 Corps area in Sikkim and possibly the Mountain Strike Corps will also get an IBG. The IBG’s rollout will be completed over the next five years and will actually reduce troops.
In these three years, the Army also mulled using technology to keep an eye on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. The first attempt is expected in Sikkim which is a settled border. The Army’s proposal is to use technology instead of troops on each peak for surveillance. This can bring down cost of logistics. The engagement with China is well established now and discussions are done even at formation level along the LAC that is not demarcated on ground.
The restructuring of the Army started by Gen Rawat is yet to be completed as a Cabinet decision is awaited on creation and rejig of some senior posts.
The Army aims to have Major Generals head each of the IBG — the biggest change in the Army since the declared “Cold Start” doctrine.
Matters with Pakistan remain tense. Border action teams of the Pakistani army are active attempting to strike at Indian Army posts along the 749-km LoC.
