Bipin Rawat briefs US general on Pakistan terror export

NEW DELHI: Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday told visiting US Special Operations Command chief General Raymond Thomas that Pakistan continues to actively fuel cross-border terrorism into Jammu & Kashmir, even as the Indian armed forces continued to maintain high operational readiness for any contingency.

Gen Rawat, who has toured forward areas in Jammu & Kashmir and Rajasthan in recent days, briefed Gen Thomas on the different ways in which Pakistan was aiding and abetting terrorism as well as the current operational situation along the borders.

This came in the backdrop of India’s pre-dawn air strikes on the Jaish-e-Muhammed facility at Balakot in Pakistan on February 26, which came 12 days after 40 CRPF personnel were killed in the Pulwama terror attack.


“Both the Generals deliberated on the developing regional security environment and the issue of global terrorism, as also discussed Pakistan’s continued support to terrorism. Acknowledging India’s role in ensuring peace and stability in the region, Gen Raymond emphasised the need for further military cooperation between India and the US in the field of technology and military-to-military exchanges,” said an official.

The situation along the line of control in J&K remains tense, though the heavy artillery exchanges between the two rival armies have reduced over the last two days. India, incidentally, has recorded over 480 ceasefire violations by Pakistan this year. “In the current scenario, the Indian Army remains fully prepared for emerging challenges,” said an Army officer.

“In the last three weeks, the disinformation campaign by the adversary (Pakistan) on digital media has increased. All ranks have been well sensitised to ensure they can see through the lies,” Rawat said.