Two Army ex-chiefs seek change in Pakistan strategy

Two former Army chiefs on Tuesday said India needs to change its strategy in dealing with Pakistan-sponsored terror activities on Indian soil, with one of them saying that it was not correct.

Participating in a discussion on 'Agenda Aajtak' event here, former Chiefs of Army Staff, General V.P. Malik and General Bikram Singh, said India's strategy vis-a-vis Pakistan was not correct.

Malik said: "Our strategy on Pakistan is not correct. Until we root out terror outfits (Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed), there will be no relief (for India). We never went into strategic depth. We need to prepare a holistic strategy that includes diplomacy, political strategy and military power. You will never succeed in diplomacy, if the military backing is not strong."

Bikram Singh said India should extend support to secessionist movements in Pakistan as an answer to its interference in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We are idealistic in our outlook. However, we cannot be idealistic in such atmosphere. We will have to be realistic when Pakistan is our neighbour. If they are bleeding us, we should bleed them."

Bikram Singh added: "Pakistan will ensure that Kashmir burns and the problems are not solved. We need a comprehensive policy. We need to put pressure on the Pakistan Army. If the secessionist movements in Pakistan are encouraged, as the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) spoke about Balochistan, the Pakistani Army will be busy addressing their internal matters."

"The LeT and JeM have support from Pakistan's political leadership and its Army. We need to attack their headquarters to damage them. We will get people in Pakistan who will be paid to execute such attacks."

Malik raised concern over political reactions to the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani on July 8 in Jammu and Kashmir. "Out polity has lost focus regarding terrorism in the past. In Kashmir, it is not the failure of Army but politics."

--IANS

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