Lt Gen GS Negi (retd) vents his anger as he addresses a gathering of ex-servicemen in Dehradun on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Abhyudaya Kotnala

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 20

Retired defence personnel expressed serious concern over the terrorist attack in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir in which 18 soldiers were killed two days ago. Ex-servicemen said the Indian government should judiciously respond to avoid repeat of such incidents. They said “what went wrong” in security should be thoroughly examined before jumping to any conclusion.Lt Gen GS Negi (retd) said the Indian Army should potently reply to Pakistan so that such an incident does not repeat. He added the Indian Army had many options to react to the Uri incident, and the best possible reply should be given to terrorists.Gen Negi said a quick retort against the Uri terrorist attack by the Indian Army would boost the morale of the India troops. “On the basis of information from different sources, it has now been established that there are many terrorists living in camps in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) and have been continuously infiltrating into Indian territories,” he said.Brig KG Behl (retd), patron of the Dehradun Ex-services League (DESL), said the government should avoid a hasty reaction to the Uri incident. He said patrolling should be increased and security measures should be stepped up along Line of Control so that terrorists could not sneak into Indian territory. He said apart from keeping a diplomatic talk option open, the government should respond to this attack.Brig RS Rawat (retd), president, Uttarakhand Ex-services League, said the Indian Army should strictly avoid taking any steps in haste as it would damage further to nation. He said top brass of the Army should deeply analyse on “what went wrong” before reacting to Uri incident. He said the Indian Army was fully capable of tackling any kind of external aggression or to repulse terrorist attack in any part of India.Col PL Parashar (retd), who had served in the Uri sector in 1968, stressed on the need of tightening security along the LoC to avoid repetition of such incidents in the future. He favoured that the Army should strictly react to this incident after considering every aspect. Parashar said the Indian troops must chase and kill infiltrators if they try to cross over or are seen indulging in such actions to enter India or running back to Pakistan. He said such action would teach Pakistan a lesson and make them stop making efforts for infiltration.