Balakot strike was to prevent terror attack, says Gen Rawat

Ezhimala, May 26

Chief of Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat has said the Balakot attack in February was to ensure that terrorists being trained across the border do not survive to carry out action against India. “Coordinated efforts are being made by various government agencies to tackle cross-border terrorism,” he added.

“Through coordinated efforts of various government agencies, now the NIA has stepped in, the Enforcement Directorate has stepped in and all are trying to ensure financing and funds available to terrorists are cut-off,” he said, responding to a question on insurgency in Kashmir at a media interaction here.

He also said the situation there had been brought under control.

Rawat said, “The country has been facing terrorism since Independence and that security forces and all agencies supporting them have met these challenges head-on. We have been able to ensure that the insurgency has been brought under control. Of course in the Kashmir Valley, we have been witnessing ups and downs of insurgencies. That’s because they got support from our western neighbour. At the same time many (people) are misguided due to a misinformation campaign spread by terrorists. But we have brought the situation under control.”

The Chief of Army staff was interacting with the media here yesterday after reviewing the passing-out parade of 264 trainees, comprising midshipmen and cadets of the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and 10 international cadets.

Asked about the radar comment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rawat said some types of radar couldn’t see through clouds because of the manner in which it operates.

The cadets who passed out on Saturday marked the culmination of their training at the Indian Naval Academy (INA) here. The passing-out parade was reviewed by Gen Rawat and meritorious midshipmen and cadets were awarded medals after the ceremonial review. — PTI

15 female cadets join ranks of Indian navy

• The passing-out parade saw 15 female cadets marching shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts to join the ranks of the Indian Navy
• There were 10 trainees from various friendly nations, including two each from Maldives, Myanmar and Seychelles, one from Tanzania and three from Sri Lanka