New Delhi (NVI): Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat has said the entire Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), illegally occupied by that nation, is controlled by terrorists and not by Pakistani establishment.
“The illegal territory occupied by Pakistan is not controlled by the Pakistani establishment, it is controlled by terrorists. POK is actually a terrorist controlled part of Pakistan,”Chief of Army Staff Gen Rawat said while speaking at the Field Marshal KM Cariappa Memorial Lecture at Manekshaw Centre here on October 25.
“When we say Jammu and Kashmir, the complete state of J&K includes POK and Gilgit Baltistan. Therefore, POK and Gilgit Baltistan becomes an occupied territory, a territory which has been illegally occupied by a western neighbour,” he added.
Stating that Article 370 was temporary in nature which was there in Sub Para 3, Gen Rawat said, “When Article 370 was introduced with the word temporary there was no objection from Pakistan. Article 370 in itself has been amended twice, where the leadership of J&K was designated as the Sadar-e-Riyasat, later on the Prime Minister and then the Chief Minister. Therefore why is it that Pakistan has suddenly woken up and has raised the ante on Article 370”.
He said that many things were happening on the ground which was not known to the media and the Indian Army was teaching its adversaries a lesson for every misadventure they undertook.
On empowerment of Infantry soldiers, Gen Rawat said that this will only happen by giving the soldiers the right kind of war waging material.
“We are trailing on that path and will ensure that infantry soldiers are well equipped and provided with modern weaponry and equipment,” he added.
The General also informed that the best rifle — Sig Sauer — from America will be available to the infantry by the end of this year.
Infantry soldiers have been provided with best bullet proof jackets and helmets and also night vision devices, he added.
–Rb
