No lack of coordination during Pathankot ops, says Army chief

NEW DELHI: Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag today asserted there was total synergy and coordination during the operation against terrorists in Pathankot even as he admitted that some lessons needed to be learnt.

The Army chief said he was monitoring the operation but the Western Commander had complete liberty in its planning and execution.

He expressed concern over infiltration along the borders with Pakistan in Punjab but made it clear that the responsibility lies with BSF, which is manning the area.

Suhag said the siege of a building near the Indian consulate in Afghanistan's Mazar-i-Sharif was not connected to the Pathankot attack but added that only a thorough probe would give details.

The Army chief indicated that the six Pakistani terrorists could well have been hiding inside the Pathankot air base as he asserted that "no one got in" once the Army cordon was placed along the 24 km-long perimeter wall.

Asked what lessons can be learnt from the Pathankot operation, he said there are lessons to be learnt in all operations but he would like to wait for the report by NIA about how the terrorists managed to get in and other lapses.

Giving details of the operation, the Army chief said crisis management committee, under National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, met before the Pathankot attack and he had alerted commanders in Northern and Western sectors.

He defended the plan to send in NSG, saying "NSG is the best force to deal with hostage situation" and that it "was a good decision".

Suhag said there was "no" lack of coordination and local commanders had complete liberty in planning and execution of the counter-terror operation which was carried out under Western Army Commander Lt Gen K J Singh.

His comments came amid questions raised by experts as to why there was multiple change in command and why the NSG, a paramilitary force under the Home Ministry, led the operation.

"As far as the Army is concerned, it was not under anybody's command. It was under the Western Army Commander who was monitoring and controlling the operations on my behalf," Suhag said.