‘External forces trying to revive insurgency in Punjab,’ says General Bipin Rawat

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat

Army Chief Bipin Rawat has stated that external forces are attempting to revive the Khalistani insurgency in Punjab. He further stated that the central and state governments are aware of it and they are taking all steps necessary.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1061881750094299136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

On Militancy in Kashmir

General Rawat also said that the youth should refrain from joining terrorism. He said that although opportunities will be provided for them to surrender if they continue with violent activities, they will be neutralized. He was addressing at an event titled ‘Changing colours of internal security in India: Trends and Responses’.

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1061889483266768898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

On stone pelters

The Army Chief has strong words for stone pelters as well. He firmly stated that stone pelters are terrorist supporters and need to be dealt with strongly. He stated, “Anyone who is disrupting operations of the security forces needs to be dealt with strongly because what are you trying to do? The terrorist who is trying to create violence in your society, the security forces are coming to neutralize them and if you are preventing the armed forces from neutralizing those elements which are disrupting peace in the society and you want to allow them to escape or not allow security forces to take action against them, then what are you? You are a supporter of the terrorist.”

Previous statements

General Rawat has warned the Kashmiri youth sympathising with terrorists in the past as well. He had said in May, “Azadi will not happen, you cannot fight the Army — this is a dictum Kashmiri youth need to know.” In February, last year, he had stated, “We would now request the local population that people who have picked up arms, and they are the local boys, if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter for them. They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue.”

OpIndia Staff: Staff reporter at OpIndia