Army Chief Bipin Rawat today said that the suspension of combat operations in Jammu and Kashmir can be extended further if the atmosphere of peace continues in the state, but any action by terrorists would trigger a rethink immediately.
Rawat, who is in Jammu and Kashmir for a two-day visit, was speaking to the reporters at Army Goodwill school at Pahalgam in Anantnag after the inaugurating the digital education facility at the school.
About whether suspension of operations can be extended beyond Ramzan, he said: “The suspension of operations or what we call the 'Non-Initiation of Combat Operations (NICO)' has been done to make the people believe and see how the atmosphere is when there is peace.”
He said if the situation continues to stay peaceful then they will think about continuing with a unilateral ceasefire. “But if the militants carry out action then we will have to rethink,” he said.
On whether the Army will initiate action against Major Gogoi, he said if a soldier, irrespective of his rank, is found guilty of any offence, the Army will take the strictest action against the officer.
"If Major Gogoi has done something wrong, I assure you that he will be awarded punishment at the earliest,” Rawat said. “The punishment awarded will set an example.”
On ceasefire violations along the border, he said, “We desire to have peace along the borders,” he said. “But when Pakistan continues to violate the ceasefire, which leads to loss of life and property, we have to retaliate.''
He said the Army cannot keep quiet when there is ceasefire violation.
Army chief said that Pakistan will have to take the first step for peace along the border.
“If Pakistan really wants peace, then we will want them to take the first step by stopping infiltration of terrorists into our side. The ceasefire violation mostly takes place to aid infiltration,” Rawat said.
''If that happens then we would say with certainty that there will be peace on the borders and ceasefire will stay,'' he said.
About the Army Goodwill school, Army Chief said Army runs several such schools to impart quality education to students.
“We want the students to get the right kind of education with the infusion of technology,” he said.
He said the infusion of technology with education is the need of the hour.
''That is why we have sought the help of the Power Grid Corporation and Extra Marks Foundation to start digital education in this school,'' he said. ''The Power Grid Corporation has contributed Rs 25 lakh to this venture and another support has been provided Extra Marks Education Foundation.”
He said initially five Army Goodwill schools will be provided with the facility and later other schools will also be covered.
''I was happy to meet the students today. Some of them are doing their BTech, some are into physics and others are preparing for IAS,'' Rawat said.
''There's nothing that makes us happier than to see our children succeed in their lives.''