General Rawat lashed out at Pakistan for disrupting peace in Kashmir. He said they are trying to radicalise the youth of Kashmir. He again backed government's decision to call off foreign minister-level talks

A day after saying that it's time to give it back to Pakistan army and terrorists, Army chief Bipin Rawat on Sunday lashed out at Pakistan for disrupting peace in Kashmir and said that they are trying to radicalise the youth of Kashmir, according to news agency ANI.

General Rawat said, "Pakistan wants these types of trouble [violence] to continue in Kashmir. They want that peace shouldn't return to this area. They're trying to radicalise the youth of Kashmir. Pakistan has decided to bleed India with a thousand cuts."

Talking about the recent killing of BSF Jawan Narendra Singh, Rawat was quoted by ANI as saying, "They have been carrying out barbaric acts and Pakistan army is used to doing this. It is not the first time that they have done it."

BSF soldier Narendra Singh's bullet-ridden body with his throat slit was found near International Border in Jammu on September 18th.

When asked about the possibility of another surgical strike after the incident, General Rawat said, "Surgical strike is a weapon of surprise. Let it remain a surprise."

On India-Pakistan Talks

General Rawat said he supported the government's decision to call off foreign minister-level talks with Pakistan and added that talks and terror cannot go hand in hand.

"The dialogue strategy has not failed but as per our govt policy, talks and terror cannot go hand in hand. We have given a clear-cut message to Pakistan that they should do something to make us believe that they are not supporting and encouraging terrorism," he said.

He then added that when Imran Khan came to power in Pakistan, he sent some messages of peace but there is a doubt if the country's establishment is also on the page.

"When Imran Khan came to power in Pakistan, he tried to send some messages of peace. But whether the entire establishment in Pakistan wants this peace is what we have to understand. There seems to be some kind of variation in what is being uttered, what is being spoken about, & what we're seeing in action on the ground. I think there is disharmony between the two," ANI quoted General Rawat as saying.

On Panchayat Polls In Jammu And Kashmir

General Rawat said the Army also wants these elections to happen.

"We are also looking at the Panchayat polls. We want these elections to go through because with this the power will devolve to the people as they have been saying that there is a lack of governance. If they want proper governance then Panchayat polls are the way forward."