New Delhi, January 15
A day after Army Chief Gen Bikram Singh warned Pakistan, he told an Army Day parade that the Army was prepared to face all challenges to national security and foil the designs of the enemy.

The Army Chief, who had yesterday told Pakistan that India would retaliate at the ‘time and place’ of its choosing to the beheading of Indian soldiers on January 8, today made his opinions even more clear saying: “The Indian Army has kept its operational preparedness at the highest level in view of various challenges.”

Possibly not wanting to join the jingoism originating over the public outcry for having a ‘head-for-a-head’, the Army Chief made it clear that “Indian Army’s record is the best in the world as far as human rights is concerned.”.

The Indian Army works in tough terrain like Siachen and discharge their duties in those areas while “following the principles of war and human rights”. “I want to assure the nation that the Indian Army is prepared to face all challenges to the national security....Every solider of the Indian Army is ready to face any challenge and we are ready to make any sacrifice for the security of the nation.

The Army is always prepared for securing boundaries of the nation and foil the designs of the enemy. It deals with all challenges in a professional manner, he said as he went on to discuss modernisation of forces and their parity with civil administration. The Army Chief expressed confidence that the Army, the Air Force, the Navy, central paramilitary forces and the police will together provide a strong safety shield to the country.

The Army Chief all released the ‘Unit Commander’s Manual’ on the occasion. The manual provides a comprehensive framework in creating a culture of quiet efficiency in unit functioning and dynamism and excellence in unit ethos. This will lay down all aspects relating to unit routine, training, motivation, leadership development, administration, regimental institutes and social activities.

The Army Chief has also made his stance clear on demilitarising the Siachen Glacier. At his press conference on Monday, General Singh said: “It is strategically important to us. It is our area and we need to continue to hold it. Any thought of demililtarisation has to be in the backdrop of the conduct of the Pakistani Army. It has to be very cautious pragmatic decision, lets us not lose the advantage”.