Articles by "Bipin Rawat"
New Delhi, Sep 6: If Pakistan stops terrorism, the Army would also "be like Neeraj Chopra", Army Chief General Bipin Rawat has said, referring to the Asian Games javelin gold medallist's gesture of reaching out to his Pakistani competitor.
Rawat, while speaking at an event Wednesday to felicitate Asian Games medallists from the Army, also said the situation in Kashmir improved in 2017 as compared to the year before, and it was improving further in 2018.
Asked if there was any "sportsmanship" on display at the Indo-Pak border, Rawat said, "They should make the first move, they should stop terrorism. If they stop terrorism, we will also be like Neeraj Chopra."
It was quite a moment at the Asian Games when Chopra stood flanked by a Chinese and a Pakistani on the podium. The picture of Chopra shaking hands with Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, who won bronze, on the podium went viral on social media.
Rawat said that contrary to the figures that keep coming up in the media that terrorism was rising, local youngsters getting radicalised and taking up arms were getting killed by the security forces or arrested or surrendering in 1-2 months.
"This action (by the security forces) will continue, but I can say with confidence that among youngsters and their families there is a belief that this is not the right path.
"I see in many places that the mothers have urged their sons to come back and if this action continues, I am confident that we will be able to solve the problem of terrorism. And slowly the youngsters that have become radicalised, will come home," he said. (PTI)
New Delhi, Jun 29: Days after imposition of Governor's rule in Jammu and Kashmir, Army chief General Bipin Rawat today said army was operating with "people-friendly" rules of engagement in the Valley.
"Our basic purpose is to go after terrorists who create violence and disturbance in the Valley. Our aim is not to cause inconvenience to civilian population who are not indulging in arson or violence," he said on the sidelines of an event here.
Jammu and Kashmir was placed under Governor's rule on June 20, the fourth time in the last one decade, after the BJP withdrew support to its alliance partner PDP forcing Mehbooba Mufti to resign as the chief minister of the state.
"There is nothing like stepping up... Army continues to operate with the formulated rules of engagement," Rawat said when asked whether security has been stepped up in the Valley after the fall of the government.
The Army chief said in addition to the "stringent" rules of engagement, local formation commanders continuously give guidelines to soldiers as to how to operate.
"Our rules of engagement are very people-friendly and we conduct operations in a very people-friendly manner. And, motivated reports that Indian Army is carrying out brutal operations in Kashmir is not true," he said.
Gen Rawat had earlier dismissed the recent UN report on alleged human rights violations in Kashmir as "motivated" and asserted that Indian Army's record in this regard was "absolutely above board".
The Army chief today interacted with a group of school students, including five girls, from Baramullah and other neighbouring regions of the Valley who visited him here at South Block as part of a national integration tour.
"The message we want these children to go back with, is that if terrorist activities and stone-pelting stops in Kashmir, it too can prosper like Delhi or other big cities, and perhaps even better," he said. (PTI)
Jammu, Jun 18: Chief of Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat today met the parents and other family members of rifleman Aurangzeb, who was abducted and killed by terrorists last week in Pulwama district of south Kashmir.
Rawat along with senior Army officials went all the way to the remote Salani hamlet in the frontier Poonch district and conveyed to the family that forces stood with them in their hour of grief.
Aurangzeb, who belonged to the 44, Rashtriya Rifles, was on way home to celebrate Eid when terrorists abducted him.
Gen Rawat flew from New Delhi to Jammu, where he was received by Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, officials told. Accompanied by officials, Rawat flew to Poonch from Jammu technical airport and was received by commanders in the frontier district, they said.
Rawat met the family of the deceased soldier and spent over 30 minutes with the parents of Aurangzeb.
Earlier, Aurangzeb's family had made an emotional appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Army, besides the Jammu and Kashmir government, to eliminate militancy from the state and avenge the martyrdom of their kin.
"My son has laid down his life for the country. He was a brave soldier. I and my sons will also sacrifice (ourselves) for the nation. We want goons to be wiped out," Mohammad Hanief, Aurangzeb's father and a former Sepoy of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, had said.
"I give PM Modi 72 hours to avenge my son's death or else we are ready to take revenge on our own. Kashmir is ours. We must not let Kashmir burn. Instead, we must eliminate the goons who are destroying the Valley," Hanief had said.
In a video, widely seen on social media, an emotional Hanief can be seen asking why Pakistani flags were waved in Kashmir.
Rifleman Aurangzeb of 44, Rashtriya Rifles, was abducted and killed by terrorists in Pulwama district when he was on his way home to celebrate Eid on June 14. He was part of Major Rohit Shukla's team, which eliminated Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Sameer Tiger.
Aurangzeb had boarded a private vehicle for Shopian, from where he was supposed to go to Rajouri district. The terrorists intercepted the vehicle as it approached Kalampora and abducted the jawan. His bullet-riddled body was found by at Gussu village, about 10 km from Kalampora, in Pulwama district. (PTI)
New Delhi, Apr 18: Army
Chief Bipin Rawat on Wednesday felicitated the personnel, who won medals in the
Common Wealth Games (CWG), including shooter Jitu Rai and Javelin thrower
Neeraj Chopra here.
Mr Rai and Mr Chopra had secured the gold medals in the
recently-concluded games at Gold Coast of Australia.
Appreciating their efforts in bringing laurels for the Army
and the country, Gen Rawat wished them to continue with the rhythm and stay
focused on goals.
India stood on third position at CWG 2018, with a tally of 66
medals. Out of these, 10 were won by the Army personnel, including three gold
medals.
There are currently 53 members of the Commonwealth of
Nations, however 71 teams participated in the games, as a number of dependent
territories compete under their own flags. UNI
