‘Against dilution of AFSPA; Siachen strategically important’

Making his stand clear, the Army Chief said the AFSPA is an enabling Act and any move to revoke it has to be taken after considering inputs from all stakeholders and security agencies. “I am of the view that we should not dilute provisions of the AFSPA. Terrorists are afraid of this because this gives us powers to carry out operations against inimical elements and enemies of the state who defy the rule of law,” he said.

The Army Chief said that the Act was vital as it gave the Army the ability to operate in a difficult situation. “It gives us additional powers to operate in an environment which is marked by very high degree of uncertainty and complexity and an asymmetric environment where you cannot differentiate between a friend and a foe as the terrorist merges with the backdrop and hides amongst the locals,” he said.

The Army Chief also said that the Siachen glacier remains strategically important for India and any decision to demilitarise it should be taken keeping in mind the sacrifices made by the Army to secure the region. “It is strategically important for us. It is our area and we need to continue to

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