Army Chief feels Pak N-arsenal secure
Amid global fears that Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal may fall into the hands of terrorists, Army Chief Gen. V.K. Singh says concern remains over this aspect but he feels these weapons are secure.
“Probably Pakistan also has (such concerns) and they are taking extra measures... I don’t think, there is any reason to say things are not secure. Things are secure,” the Army Chief said in an interview.
He, however, added that this will remain a concern given “the way internal dynamics (of Pakistan) are”.
Gen. Singh recently raised hackles in Pakistan which had criticised him for his comments that Pakistan and China are “major irritants” and India was ready to fight a conventional warfare in a nuclear scenario.
Rejecting Pakistan’s contention that his recent comments were “jingoistic”, he said such views were not only his but of the entire world.
“I only said what the whole world is saying. If the whole world is jingoistic...,” Gen. Singh said.
The Army Chief noted that both Pakistan and China were nuclear armed countries and “who uses (such weapons), we don’t know. As armed forces, we should always keep this in mind that there is somebody who can use it.”
Elaborating on his contention, he pointed out that Pakistan has done “sabre-rattling” on behalf of nuclear weapons and “we, as a force, are prepared to fight anytime.”
Turning to China, he said the borders are calm and confidence building measures are in place and “things are not as bad as we look at the western side (Pakistan).”
He, however, said no one knows “when its intention will change” and “it remains a cause of worry”.
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‘104 Armymen guilty of violations in JK’
New Delhi, Oct. 24: Rejecting charges that the Army was not taking action in cases of human rights violations by its personnel, Army Chief Gen. V.K. Singh has disclosed that 39 officers were among 104 Armymen who had been punished in Jammu and Kashmir in this regard.
He said over 95 per cent of the allegations of human rights violations proved to be false. —PTI
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