Army fully geared up: Army chief

In the backdrop of mounting tension between India and Pakistan over Mumbai terror attack, the Army on Saturday said it was fully geared up to do what the national leadership would like the armed forces to do.
   
"I can say without any iota of doubt. We are fully prepared whatever the national leadership would like us to do or achieve," Army chief general Deepak Kapoor said here on Saturday.
    
Asked what option India has as Pakistan has almost rejected the dossier sent by New Delhi, he said, "This is something which the national leadership should be able to answer better. They are the ones dealing with this level. The military will act or react depending on the decision taken at national level."
   
General Kapoor, who reviewed various operational plans with top army officers here, said infiltration from across the
border was not possible at this part of the season through known routes because the mountain passes get closed due to snow.
    
However, he did not rule out infiltration of terrorists from Pirpanjal range in the state. "Infiltration may not be ruled out as terrorists can came to the valley from south Pirpanjal," he said.
    
He said terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan was very much intact and continuing across the border and infiltration may go up once the snow melts on the borders and terrorists may try to disturb peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
    
However, general Kapoor said security forces were fully prepared to foil their attempts to sneak into the valley.

General Kapoor said the main purpose of his current visit to the state was to review various operational plans and to take stock of the situation post election in the entire region.
    
"We had a very fruitful discussions... with army officers here. These discussions get extended because of various aspects which need to be clarified. It is good to be here to review our operational plans and looking out various aspects", he said.
    
About tension on line of control in J&K, the army chief said, "tension post Mumbai attack was definitely there. Therefore, the degree of readiness has been enhanced by us and perhaps from the other side as well."
    
"I suppose with the passage of time the tension may go down. But we feel that perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks were emanating from Pakistani side," he said, adding army has noted extra movement of troops on Pakistan side.
    
About human rights violations, general Kapoor said, "army does not excuse any excesses. It does not excuses any human rights violations and it punishes people or take proper disciplinary action if any such violations happen."
    
"We made everything available to Maharashtra ATS with regard to Malegaon blast as a matter of assistance, cooperation in terms," he said.
    
In respect of Jammu and Kashmir, he said army has handed out exemplary punishment to those found guilty.
    
"Army orders court of inquiry in every case of allegations and would continue to do so in future. In case anyone is found guilty, action will be taken," he said.
    
Gen Kapoor avoided a direct answer to a question whether nuclear weapons in Pakistan were in safe hands but said "nuclear weapon is a weapon which everyone is worried about".
    
Replying to a question about the number of ultras active in J&K, he said as far as army is concerned approximately 700 to 800 terrorists are operating in the state. The foreign component is 30 to 35 per cent.