Conflict

‘Indian army needs to think ahead of the insurgents,’ says Gen Rawat, seeks advanced technology

Gen Bipin Rawat

Srinagar: Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Saturday reiterated Kashmiri youth were being “brainwashed” through a “disinformation campaign” and stressed on the need for “better technology” to fight militancy.

“A disinformation campaign is being run in Kashmir where the youth is being brainwashed. They then resort to stone-pelting,” General Rawat said at an Indian Military Academy (IMA) parade in Dehradun.

“Youth in Kashmir is being instigated by a mis-information campaign on social media,” he said, adding, “if we have modern technology, it should be used the right way. This way, the people will also not be troubled and we will also be capable.”

“We need to think ahead of the insurgents…. Technology is important to fight militancy. If we have modern technology and it is used properly, citizens will not be inconvenienced and we will also be successful,” Army chief said.

Meanwhile, General Bipin Rawat said that the Army needs women in these ranks as they often encounter women during operations.

“We need women in rank and file where there are usually jawans and sardar sahebaan. We have to often face the common people during operations and that is when women come face to face with us,” he said.

Last week, the Indian Army Chief had said he was ready to recruit women as jawans and the matter is being taken up with the government. “We have already started the process,” Gen Rawat had told a news gathering agency in an exclusive interaction some days back.

“Women will have to show grit and strength in taking up challenges in combat role and shattering the glass ceiling,” he said.

Very few countries including Germany, Australia, Canada, the US, Britain, Denmark, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden and Israel have allowed women in combat roles.

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