Asserting that repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan are “unacceptable”, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne yesterday warned that India may have to look at “some other options for compliance” if such incidents continue.
“We have a Line of Control, we have a ceasefire agreement, we have certain structures and mechanisms which are sacrosanct and any violation of these with impunity especially what has been happening in the last few months is totally unacceptable.
“We are monitoring the situation carefully because if these things continue to be the way they are and these violations continue to take place, then perhaps we may have to look at some other options for compliance,” he told reporters here on the sidelines of an NCC function.
The IAF Chief, who is the senior most armed forces officer in the country, was asked about the suggestions he has given to the political leadership on the brutal killing of two Indian soldiers by Pakistan Army.
Refusing to divulge the options being looked at by the Government, he said, “Options are options. We do not discuss these options openly. If the violations continue, we may have to look at the whole issue all over again.”
Asked how would the military leadership uphold the honour of soldiers such as the two jawans killed by Pakistan Army, he said, “When you join the armed forces, you hold certain ethos, values and certain traditions of the country which you have to uphold.”
On January 8, Pakistan Army regulars had infiltrated inside Indian territory in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir and killed and mutilated bodies of Lance Naiks Sudhakar Singh and Hemraj there.
India has also been raising the issue of rising number of ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the last one year.
NAK Browne, on Saturday strongly made it clear that India will be forced to consider other options, if ceasefire violations continue from the Pakistan side.
The Indian Air Force chief expressed his grave concern over the continuous ceasefire violation and firing from the Pakistani side.
The violation took place two days after the killing of two Indian soldiers by Pakistani troops in the Mendhar Sector of Poonch district.
The tension between the two Asian neighbours has aggravated after the brutal killing and beheading of the two Indian soldiers.
Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne said: “We have a line of control, we have a ceasefire agreement, we have certain mechanisms, we have certain structures and that is sacrosanct.
“Any violation of these with impunity, especially as to what’s been happening in the last few months, is totally unacceptable. We are monitoring the situation very carefully because if these things continue the way they are and the violations continue to take place, then perhaps we may have to look at some other options for compliance.”
Source: The Daily Star
