New Delhi: There was no troop movement on India's side and war was the "last resort" but the country had all options open following Pakistan's refusal to act against those who ordered the terror attack on Mumbai, Army chief Deepak Kapoor said on Wednesday.
Stressing that any decision on the issue had to come from the political leadership, Kapoor said at a press conference that the perpetrators of the November 26-29 Mumbai savagery were from Pakistan.
“We do feel that perpetrators of the 26/11 (date of Mumbai attack) were from Pakistani soil. In view of that we in India are keeping all our options open. It must be understood that it is not to create any war hysteria.
"The options include everything, whether diplomatic, economic and, as last resort, fighting,” he told reporters ahead of the 61st Army Day.
Reacting to the widely reported movement of Pakistani troops from the Afghanistan border to its eastern front bordering India, Kapoor said the Indian Army was seized of the situation.
“We are aware that Pakistan troops from FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) have come to the east border of Pakistan with India. Having known this, let me assure you that Indian Army has factored this in their plans,” Kapoor said.
“Whenever there is a problem, military is the last option, but the decision depends on the political leadership. When they think economic and diplomatic pressure has failed, the option will be used,” Kapoor said, replying to a query on when the military option will be employed.
Kapoor denied reports of troop movement on the Indian side.
“It is a known fact that it is the period in which our persons from strike cores go to the field ranges - in this I am talking about the Pokhran and Mahajan field ranges - on routine basis. We do share this information with Pakistan as they do about the exercises on their side.
“Our troops have gone there for practice fire and if that has to be hyped into war hysteria, then it is wrong,” Kapoor added.
“Cleaning up of our defences, that we are alert and certain amount of normal readiness has to be there - it is automatic of a good defender,” Kapoor asserted.
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