Pakistan has derailed peace many times: Army chief

His remarks on Wednesday came in the backdrop of reports that Pakistani establishment was not on board with their Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif when it came to talks with India. “It has done it a number of times. I am not saying in this (Pathankot) connection...” he said when asked whether he feels that the Pathankot attack was an 

attempt by the Pakistani Army and the ISI to disrupt the peace process. 

There is speculation that the FS-level talks may be deferred with India wanting “prompt and decisive” action against the masterminds of the Pathankot terror attack that left seven soldiers killed and six terrorists gunned down. 

Two days after Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar stressed the need to pay back pain inflicted on India by organisations and individuals in the same coin, Suhag asserted that the Indian army was ready and competent to carry out any task it was entrusted with and “fully prepared” to meet any threat to the country’s security.

The army chief, who was addressing his annual press conference ahead of the Army Day here, also expressed his “concern” at the infiltration along the borders with Pakistan in Punjab but made it clear that the responsibility lies with the BSF manning the area. Suhag also indicated that the six Pakistani terrorists could well have been hiding inside the Pathankot air base as he asserted that no one came in once the Army cordon was placed along the 24 km-long perimeter wall. He said it was a matter of “treason” if the terrorists had used the drug route to get in with local help. 

The chief also rejected allegations about lack of coordination in response to the attack saying there was “complete synergy”. Refusing to comment on whether the FS-level talks should be held this week, the army chief said it is a diplomatic and political decision. 

On Pakistan’s role in the attack, Suhag asserted that markings on medicines carried by them along with some of the equipment showed that they were from Pakistan. He said the evidence has been shared with the Pakistani authorities but details will come out only after the investigation by the NIA. 

The army chief said his direction on Pathankot operation was to secure all facilities and personnel, ensure no one escaped and to avoid casualties. He said that the crisis management committee met before Pathankot attack and he had alerted commanders in the Northern and Western Sectors.