Indian Army Chief Wants Aggressive Response to Pakistani Provocations
NEW DELHI — Relations between India and Pakistan are on the downswing again and the Indian Army chief says he has instructed commanders to respond aggressively to any Pakistani provocation. Addressing a news conference here Jan. 14, Gen. Bikram Singh said a Jan. 8 attack in which one Indian soldier was beheaded was premeditated. “Such an operation requires planning, detailed reconnaissance,” said Singh. “We expect our commanders to be aggressive. The orders are very clear — when provoked, I expect my unit commanders should fire back,” Singh warned. For the past week there has been firing along the border with Pakistan, called the Line of Control (LOC). The beheading of the soldier evoked outrage here among the media and political circles. Despite the firing, Singh said, the cease-fire in place since November 2003 has been holding except for “some aberrations.” The Army commanders of both countries, meanwhile, are trying to defuse the tension through talks on a hotline, said sou...