China and Pakistan are indulging in proxy war against India to disturb J&K: General Bipin Rawat

“Security forces remain alert and carry out effective measures to ensure that these kinds of activities are not allowed to happen anymore and we are able to develop and build confidence among the people to not turn panicky by such situation. Whenever the situation is peaceful they try to instigate violence and spread fear among the people,” General Bipin Rawat said.

The Chief of Defence Staff said in a press conference in Guwahati that Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday visited Jammu & Kashmir to build confidence in the people that the security forces and the armed forces are in the state to eliminate the perpetrators and send out a message that they will not be allowed to go on with their plans day after day.

“There should be no reason to fear and I think you should not allow exodus to happen from the valley at all,” the CDS said.

He further said that the intelligence network has been strengthened in the valley.

About China’s technological advances in both cyber and space domains, General Bipin Rawat said everyone across the world remains vulnerable to cyber-attacks and we as a nation have to build adequate firewalls to secure the nation.

General Bipin Rawat also said that North East holds great significance to mainland India and the country is building strong relations with the neighbouring countries.

“China has a habit of using money power and economics to gain popularity in the countries. We have to move with Prime Minister’s SAGAR mission (Security and Growth for all in the Region). We have to make sure and tell our neighbours that we are here as a permanent friend, we are here with equal terms, we have to consider all the neighbours as equal partners in development of the region,” General Bipin Rawat said.

Talking about LAC security, the Chief of Defence Staff said as far as defence in the border is concerned, India is standing strong in the border.

“We have an adequate and effective weapons system. The government has allowed us to buy whatever we need for defence of our country by invoking the emergency pass which has given the service to procure anything at our level,” General Bipin Rawat said.

General Rawat said the internal security of the country remains a great concern.

“If every citizen of our country understands his or her duty, the national security will be taken care of,” General Rawat said.

Cautioning about the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, the Chief of Defence Staff said the spillover will happen to Jammu & Kashmir and India has to be careful about it and intensify the monitoring system.

General Bipin Rawat was in Guwahati to take part in the 1st Ravi Kant Singh, IPS memorial lecture programme organised by the Assam police.