M A I N   N E W S

Time for action, says Army Chief

General S. Padmanabhan (L), Indian Chief of Army Staff, shakes hands with Nepalese Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba in Kathmandu on Thursday. — Reuters photo

Kathmandu, May 16
Terming as “very sad” the killing of Army personnel and their family members by terrorists near Jammu, Chief of Army Staff General S. Padmanabhan today said time for action had come but a decision on this had to be taken by the entire nation.

“Time for action has come. But the Army is not the body to make decision in this regard. The decision will be taken by the entire nation,” he told reporters here replying to a question on cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

General Padmanabhan, who concluded his four-day visit to the Himalayan kingdom, did not elaborate the type of action the Army was considering, saying: “I cannot say everything here”.

He said he would visit the border areas to review the situation. “I am aware of the attack on children of the Indian Army personnel in Kashmir, and it was very sad.” He also assured that they would be looked after.

Talking about the Maoist violence in Nepal, he said India would provide military equipment, including helicopter and other military hardwares, as well as logistic support to Nepal to fight the rebels.

India has already provided a couple of helicopters and another one is in the pipeline, he said.

The Nepalese Army should increase its military strength if it needs so, and India is ready to cooperate, he said replying to a question. PTI

Indo-Pak troops exchange fire

Jammu, May 16
Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged heavy fire at 31 border outposts (BoPs) in the R.S. Pura, Samba, Arnia and Hira Nagar sectors of Jammu and Kathua districts overnight, the police said today.

Reports of firing were also received from Maniyari and Chore Gali in Kathua district. UNI