New army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag inspects a guard of honour in New Delhi yesterday.
India’s response to any aggression from Pakistan will be “more than adequate,” newly appointed Indian Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag said here yesterday.
He warned Pakistan that India’s response to any beheading-like incident in future would be “intense and immediate.”
“I can tell you that our response to any such act will be more than adequate in future. It will be intense and immediate,” Gen Suhag said in response to a question.
The comments come a day after outgoing army chief General Bikram Singh said that the army gave a befitting reply to Pakistan after an Indian soldier was beheaded along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
On January 8, 2013, Pakistani soldiers entered Indian territory in Krishna Ghati sector of the border and killed two Indian soldiers. Indian officials said both bodies were mutilated, and one decapitated.
Two other soldiers were injured in the incident that triggered nationwide fury.
Gen Suhag, who on Thursday took over as the new chief of the 1.3mn-strong Indian Army, also said his focus will be on his soldiers and “to enhance the preparedness and the effectiveness of the Indian Army.”
“I will ensure that our soldiers are motivated, they are comfortable, competently trained and are provided with latest weapons and equipment,” he said.
Gen Suhag also expressed gratitude to the government “for reposing faith” in him.
The decision to appoint Gen Suhag was taken by the previous United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government during the April-May general elections, and days before it demitted office.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, at that time, objected to the decision. However, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley after assuming charge said there “shall be no controversy” over Suhag’s appointment.
His tenure as the 26th chief of the army will be for 30 months.
