On his first day in office, Indian army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Friday warned Pakistan that India’s response to any beheading-like incident in the future would be “more than adequate, intense and immediate”, The Times of Indiareported.
“I can tell you that our response to any such act will be more than adequate in future. It will be intense and immediate,” he told reporters after his welcome guard of honour as chief of army staff.
The new army chief was asked how India gave a ‘befitting reply’ to Pakistan after the alleged beheading of Indian soldier Lance Naik Hemraj along the Line of Control in Poonch sector on January 8, 2013. Previous army chief General Bikram Singh had on Thursday stated that India had given a ‘befitting reply’ to Pakistan after the incident.
“It has been done. Please understand that when we use force, that use is from tactical to operational to strategic levels, which have been undertaken. I think this has been done by the local commander, the chiefs have nothing to do with it,” Gen Singh had said.
The Indian side has accused Pakistani special forces of beheading Hemraj and mutilating the body of Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh.
In 2013, talks between military officials from Pakistan and India ended in a stalemate with the two sides accusing each other of violating the ceasefire at the LoC in the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region.
Pakistan strongly rejected Indian allegations that its troops resorted to unprovoked fire, attacked any Indian army post or killed Indian soldiers, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) at the time.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 2nd, 2014.
COMMENTS (67)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
To all my brother muslims, I request you to clear the political mess in pakistan, let the education, science, technology, infrastructure, innovation, prosperity blossom, making a better life for the future generations of Pakistan and feel them a place in the world economy. What we did yesterday is deciding our present and what we are doing today will decide our destiny. We all know the present situations in both Pakistan and India, being a robust GDP, India is trying for their people upliftment, we cant we. Best of luck.
Sobriquet : Yes that's why Central Asian Conquered India.
Gurkhas are very good soldiers but they don't have Leadership Capabilities and yes they are Brave no doubt on that but they are not good with technology.
Regarding Bangladesh People of Bangladesh don't want to be united there was nothing sort of winning that India Claim.
@Abdullah Naseer: My reply was to your "never" claim. The words "belongs to you" are also yours. I don't believe in anyone or anything belonging to anybody. We and all our civilisations are here for a short time and the only thing certain is change.
Every Pakistani willing his posts to appear here MUST respect and praise India for Indians abusing this country as this space belongs to the secular and liberal ET
He is from the Gurkha (Gorkha) regiment. They wear hats like that. Sam Manekshaw was a Gorkha. You should all remember him. He was the field marshal in the 71 war.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/708168/the-last-act-india-appoints-new-army-chief/
@Sobriquet: sorry it was mistake. i just want to told you that balochis are known as persians due to their history and pashtuns of kpk are known as afghans. and after hindus defeat by arabs and emerging of sikhs in punjabis you cannot say punjabis as indians. punjab change to much. you can say this about sindh. according to your logic. india,pakistan,iran,turkey,etc belongs to arabs. if you rule areas of pakistan for some time then it not means that pakistan belongs to you. i hope you will understand this.
@Sobriquet: sorry it was mistake. i just want to told you that balochis are known as persians due to their history and pashtuns of kpk are known as afghans. and after hindus defeat by arabs and emerging of sikhs in punjabis you cannot say punjabis as indians. punjab change to much. you can say this about sindh. according to your logic. india,pakistan,iran,turkey,etc belongs to arabs. if you rule areas of pakistan for some time then it not means that pakistan belongs to you.
Somebody buy him a hat that fits properly!
@John: I too was just wondering if that is a mistaken identitity of a Boys Scout or Tourist Resourt Police chief. Anyway, I started to like Indian Army now!
@lmao: Guys this is how the media plays it up. I watched his interview – he was specifically asked what his response would be IF pakistan violated ceasefire/attacked Indian soldiers? Now as an army chief what would u expect him to ans???? I think any army chief would ans on the same lines. Now to call it sabre rattling etc is equally irresponsible. A person who is good enuf to be a army chief whether Indian or Pakistani cannot be foolish to make jingoistic statements out of context.
Ok. I have to agree that was a good comment. COOL.... VERY COOL.
@Abdullah Naseer: My link to the Maurian empire was to show you historical India's geographical and cultural reach. So by asking me to see a list of Mauryian emperors, you are only confirming that you were wrong in your assertion that PK and Balochistan were NEVER part of India!
Indeed, the concept of India is older than the Mauryas and even the 16 Mahajanapadas, which defined Indian multi-culturalism: the key element of the Indian identity even today. The link below tp get an idea of historical India: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahajanapada#mediaviewer/File:EpicIndia.jpg
@ Sobriquet Exactly that's what I want to explain Indians are the first who invaded the Sub-Continent and So on later all took revenge from them for several millennia's ;)
@Sobriquet: plz check also these : - 320–298 BCE Chandragupta Maurya - 298–272 BCE Bindusara - 268–232 BCE Ashoka - 232–224 BCE Dasaratha - 224–215 BCE Samprati - 215–202 BCE Salisuka Maurya - 202–195 BCE Devavarman - 195–187 BCE Satadhanvan - 187–185 BCE Brihadratha
@Abid: ;" If Pakistani Generals make a well thought out strategy…. Indian Army will not be a challenge against the skills/bravery of our soldiers. We have always been failed by our top generals/politicians." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I do appreciate your confession that Pakistan has always failed.....according to u by the top generals/politicians.
@braveheart pathan: " We look forward to hear more jokes from him." +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Another joke for you from another General: Kashmir is Pakistan's jugular vein. I am sure burst into guffawas
@Gratgy: " I dont know if India wants to be the regional Israel, but Pakistan is increasingly starting to look like the new Syria though" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Actually Pakistan is performing multiple roles.....Syria , Sudan, Somalia.....Buck Up.
He looks like a master debator...
@Abdullah Naseer: Regions now KPK and Balochistan were part of historical India: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurya_Empire
@Rudra: Oh dont even go there with china, BD and SL in your closet. Dont even whisper a self-righteous lecture there.
@Bewildered: "For people who don’t remember, in 2002 India put a million army men on Pakistani border for 10 long months, but couldn’t dare stepping foot on thin border line." Do you know the reasons? At that time, India was trying to build up its relationship with US that was badly damaged after India's nuclear blast. It was also the time when US needed Pakistan for its military operations in Afghanistan. But, even against all advice from US, India built up its forces on the border. It was a threatening posture but, India could not / did not escalate it to a total war. Now, the situation is totally different. History never repeats in exact form. Times change, interests change, strategies change and results are different. Also, you can be selective in reading history. You can read it to a certain point and others may read it to a different point.
Also, who do you think took out Hafiz Saeed's Chief of Security, Bashir? Was it ISI or was it RAW? looking at the way it was done, we all know an intelligence agency did it.
@nini. The problem is its not just us complaining. Aren't you facing the same attack issues with NATO,afgan,Iran(soldier kidnap),india. And of flatly with china too due to Xinjiang province? Who's who's the issue here? Which is the country that has "deep state strategy"?
@BlackJack:
As per your unsolicited advice: http://tribune.com.pk/story/707268/line-of-control-army-lodges-protest-against-ceasefire-violation/
(QUOTE) ISLAMABAD:Pakistan Army lodged a protest with Indian authorities on Sunday over what it said was another violation of ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) (UNQUOTE)
There. This is how it is done. Happy? Now run off and better advise your general, since all you Indians are quite proficient at advising others. And while we're at it, as regards your earlier post, don't ask Pakistanis how your soldiers should behave in the first place. You wouldn't like the answer.
@Chachoo: Bangali's did not sided you in 1971... This time may be Balochistan wont ... what say ??? may be Sindh too ...
General has said exactly what he was supposed to say. Some Pakistani friends talk of Indian response in 2002 and are forgetting that neither India nor Pakistan is same today as it was in 2002. International pressures of 2014 are very different than those of 2002. Please don't remain under same old illusions. Pakistanis often talk of nuclear response and forget that India too will respond the same way. Take your heads out of sand and read the writings on wall.
@Indian:
Sorry to break your bubble but it does not apply to everyone.
@ Ozair Ever heard about Slouch Hat. Go and search Wikipedia.
@The Khan-Waterloo,Ontario: yes kashmir is part of pakistan. if someone is occupying by use of force, dun make it theirs. israel is a good example. as far as gen. raheel is concerned, no he did not prove his pakistaniness by issuing any dumb statement which he knows he wont be able to keep. Pakistan has never had any issue with India's presence, while the same cant be said about india.
@Jutt: @Ozair: There are many regiments that come from different culture and religion from india into indian army. This general comes from "Gorkha rifles regiment" they wear their hat this way. It's their tradition/culture.
@Chengez K Your people has been saying this since 1947. Truth is we remained intact but you broke apart. So keep dreaming. India is only get getting stronger.
Pakistan declined as we had our own versions of modies and suhags. India following the same route I guess.
@BlackJack: I thought you wouldn't ask: The response - in my opinion - should be on the lines of thoroughly concluding the investigation and careful placing of the blame. Bravado, especially on the first day at the job, is immature and indicates to the predictable nature of the man.
@Gratgy:
India will break because of Modi & General Dalbir Singh Suhag
This general is sooooo funny. Lolz We look forward to hear more jokes from him.
@Bewildered:You did not forget 2002 but you really forgot 1971, when your fully armed 94000 soldiers with commander in chief meekly laid their arms and surrendered without any resistance to same very Indian army.Anyway no use of ridiculing each other,because such gesture from any one is not good for the relation of both the neighbors.
Indian army is enraged because of the beheading of their soldier, very in humane. We are and we can be enemies but still should have some humanity. Is it possible our so called non state actors did this barbaric act? One hopes a professional army wouldn't do it. How would we feel if a Pakistani soldier gets his head removed and we find only the torso?
when both the countries face internal threats such as poverty, corruption, intolerance, citizens of both countries will still go on war mongering like little kids.
@Indian: sometimes u say our forefathers were arabs and now you are saying that they were indians. your words change every second day like other indians like your aggressive officials. we know our forefathers was indian but not at all. only sindh has the strong link with india and hindustan. punjab has but little bit. and KPK and balochistan was never part of india. they become india when british conquer these areas.
Pakistani people are commenting like that Chief sat on chair and started anti Pakistani views. Any chief in world will say same when asked such questions. First beheading should be discussed.
@Bewildered: I think you did not forget kargil. and 1971.just find out from which regiment he comes from.All ur doubts will be settled.
Indian General should first learn how to put on a hat properly
the chap clearly looks like a regular Joe.. having his mouth already shut using the strap of his hat.. wonder how could he talk irresponsibly?
If Pakistani Generals make a well thought out strategy.... Indian Army will not be a challenge against the skills/bravery of our soldiers. We have always been failed by our top generals/politicians.
First day in the office, and the general has started playing with emotions. I love India Pakistan relationship... It's like a building whose foundation is laid on principles of accusations and mistrust and can be demolished with a blow of air.
When will they realize they have to look ahead.?
Can some Pakistani pls tell me the appropriate response when a new army chief is asked what the response should be in case your soldiers are beheaded on the LoC by enemy soldiers.
Bring em on!
@Pro Pakistani: That's a bit too presumptuous. Heard of ABMs?
@Chachoo: I dont know if India wants to be the regional Israel, but Pakistan is increasingly starting to look like the new Syria though
Oh be quiet. We love general Sharif and his men, and that makes them invincibe
Guys this is how the media plays it up. I watched his interview - he was specifically asked what his response would be IF pakistan violated ceasefire/attacked Indian soldiers? Now as an army chief what would u expect him to ans???? I think any army chief would ans on the same lines. Now to call it sabre rattling etc is equally irresponsible. A person who is good enuf to be a army chief whether Indian or Pakistani cannot be foolish to make jingoistic statements out of context.
Don't know why this is a news. Every Pakistani or Indian general has to prove his Pakistaness or Indianness by saying such things. Raheel Sharif said Kashmir has always been an integral part of Pakistan.
@Bewildered: But history says another story! Ask your grand parents..
India is never sincere and honest behind the scenes with Pakistan and apparently shows fake friendship attitude and shows intentions to resolve the issues but based on hypocrisy and how much easily fools and deceives the Pakistani leadership this is why Indian leadership and army chief threaten Pakistan of severe consequences.....
Here's to the new dawn in indo Pak relations .
Welcome Suhag ji! I hope you keep your words.
Mr.Singh seems to be over confident and a bit irresponsible while saying the terms "Tactical and Strategic" because any war between the two neighbours on "strategic and tactical level" would mean end of civilisation in most of the subcontinent.
There is no culture of beheadings in the Pakistan Army. Looks more like the work of the local commander watching too many OBL raid replays and deciding to stage a beheading for some action. . I'm sure the action he got in reply was more than he bargained for. No beheadings since then :)
We didn't forget your befitting response of 2002 yet, and are still shivering with fear. Please don't make us shiver any more. LOL.
(For people who don't remember, in 2002 India put a million army men on Pakistani border for 10 long months, but couldn't dare stepping foot on thin border line.)
This man is Interesting.
Just shove the twisted hat into the General's throat so he should shut his worthless mouth. India's dream of becoming a new Isreal of this region and dictation of its neighbors will never be fulfilled. Whatever the differences will be in Pakistan but when it comes to defending our motherland then we are all One.
some time back Saukat Qadir wrote an article in this newspaper apprehending that Mr Suhag will not be appointed based on seniority as Army Chief and he has been proved wrong.
First Moodi and now Dalbir Singh, not a good omen for Pakistan.
Still Pakistani politicians don't get it and have their personal egos. They keep installing their incompetent kith and kins at high place and other are continuing their dharna/galsa politics. Shame on all these politicians. But it is more shame for those who keep electing them hoping they will produce different results - really!