The Army chief said that Pakistan's continued support to cross-border terrorism could force India to "raise the ante". On incidents of ceasefire violations along the LoC, General Rawat said that Pakistani army engages in border firing to facilitate the infiltration of terrorists

General Rawat said that stone-pelting is a stepping stone to terrorism

NEW DELHI: Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday did not rule out the possibility of another surgical strike-like action on terror launch pads across the border, saying that Pakistan's continued support to cross-border terrorism could force India to "raise the ante".

In an exclusive interview to Times Now, the Army chief said the surgical strikes in 2016 were carried out to send a strong message to the Pakistani establishment.

"We wanted to say that if you carry out such acts, we will not hesitate to cross the border and destroy terror camps. But if the messaging did not have the desired effect, then it's time to raise the ante," General Rawat said.

On incidents of ceasefire violations along the LoC, General Rawat said that Pakistani army engages in border firing to facilitate the infiltration of terrorists.

"Pakistan supports infiltration through ceasefire violations. This gives an opportunity for terrorists to get through (to India). They are used as means of diverting attention of the Indian forces," Rawat said.

General Rawat also reiterated his earlier remarks that stone-pelters are over-ground workers of terrorists and added that those who try to disrupt counter-terror operations are also part of the organisation that perpetrates violence against the people of J&K.

"The Army goes after the terrorists to ensure that they do not perpetrate violence against the people of Kashmir. Those disrupting these counter-terror operations are part of the organisation which carries out acts of terror," General Rawat said.

Calling stone-pelting a stepping stone to terrorism, the Army chief said that terrorists target gullible youth in the Valley, who eventually join their ranks.

"Stone pelters are gullible youth ... all of them are between the ages of 15-17 ... eventually they graduate to become terrorists when they turn 25-26. It (stone-pelting) is a stepping stone to terrorism," he said.

General Rawat, however, asserted that the Army is now able to deal with stone-pelters in a better manner.

Speaking about charges of fake encounters against military personnel, General Rawat hinted that there could be an agenda behind most of these cases.

"... I think grievances of anybody killed in an encounter must come from the near and dear ones. In most of the cases, we find allegations coming from the third party," the Army Chief said, adding that most of these cases are fake.

He said that the Army has taken strong action whenever officers have gone wrong.