Forces told to be fully prepared for unprecedented LAC action

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 21

Upping the ante against China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has asked the armed forces to be “fully prepared” to take any “unprecedented” action as per the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

This comes against the backdrop of an amendment to the “rules of engagement”, meaning there will be no restriction on the use of firearms in the face of adversary.

Also read: Chinese media urges India not to equate Beijing with Pakistan 

Singh, who is scheduled to leave for Russia tomorrow, reviewed the situation along the LAC at a meeting on Sunday. The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Bipin Rawat, and the three service chiefs were at the meeting where Singh made it clear that the services would have to be “fully prepared” to take any unprecedented action along the LAC. Sources said he did not specify what the “unprecedented” action implied, but it was being seen as a “free hand” being given to the battle commanders on the ground.

The Defence Minister has also given directions to the Army to be cautious during patrol duties along the LAC, a 3,488 km de facto boundary with China which is undemarcated.

The other two forces, the IAF and the Navy, have been asked to keep an eye on air intrusions or on any unusual activity at sea. All assets are ready and deployed, said sources.

The Army had sought a change in the military rules of engagement at the LAC after the recent Galwan valley clash. These rules of engagement had been cast in line with various diplomatic agreements with China since 1993.

Sources said the standing instructions for soldiers confronting Chinese troops in a violent faceoff foreclosed the option of opening fire. With China not adhering to any agreement, holding on to any diplomatic promise appeared imprudent after the enemy action at the Galwan valley on the night intervening June 15 and 16.

The agreement on confidence-building measures in the military field along the LAC signed in 1996 says: “Neither side shall open fire within 2 km of the LAC.”

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