Indian army chief indicates 'retaliatory action' against Pakistan

Statement comes a day after Bipin Rawat's deputy said India would retaliate at a time and place of its choosing

Reiterating his deputy's statement, Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Thursday indicated retaliatory action against Pakistani forces over the alleged mutilation of Indian soldiers’ along the Line of Control (LoC).

Without directly replying to questions, Rawat said, "We do not talk about future plans beforehand. We share details after execution of the plan."



"When this kind of action takes place, we also carry out retaliatory action," he added while addressing the media, Press Trust of India reported.

The Indian Army on Wednesday said it will retaliate against Pakistani forces' alleged mutilation of Indian soldiers’ bodies at a time and place of its choosing.

“Pakistani forces have done the killing and mutilation, they have to take responsibility and face the consequences”, The Hindu quoted Vice-Chief of the Army Staff Lt Gen Sarath Chand as saying. Chand said the Indian army would not discuss its plans in public.



“We will do it at the time and place of our choosing,” he added.

According to a source, local action will continue as per routine, but “a major retaliation will be a well-thought-out one.”

On Monday, the Indian Army claimed that Pakistani forces killed two Indian soldiers and mutilated their bodies along the LoC. It said the Pakistani troops opened fire on Indian posts in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district, and members of the Border Action Team (BAT) attacked a patrolling party.



However, the Pakistan Army rubbished the allegations. “Pakistan Army did not commit any ceasefire violation on the Line of Control or a BAT action in the Buttal sector (Indian Krishna Ghatti Sector) as alleged by India,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Monday.