This was conveyed during a review meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with the Chief of Defence Staff and the three Service Chiefs.
The armed forces have been given a free hand to assess the situation on the ground along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and take appropriate action as required, a defence source on Sunday. This was conveyed during a review meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with the Chief of Defence Staff and the three Service Chiefs.
“The situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and preparedness of the forces was reviewed at the meeting. Forces have a free hand to assess the situation and to take action required. While we don’t want escalation but if it happens by the other side, appropriate action will be taken. Clear cut instructions to this effect were given,” a defence source said. Mr. Singh held the review meeting ahead of his departure to Russia on Monday for participation in the 75th anniversary of World War-II.
These instructions come in the backdrop of the violent clash in Galwan on Monday when Indian troops were attacked by Chinese troops with rods and stones and resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers including the Commanding Officer Col B. Santosh Babu.
The prevailing border situation is also expected to come up for discussion in Mr. Singh’s meeting with his Russian counterpart in Moscow. Mr. Singh will return from Russia on 25th. He will continue to monitor the situation during the trip, the source added.
As reported earlier, following the Galwan incident the Army too has revised its Rules of Engagement (RoE) for its commanders on the ground on the LAC. Use of firearms on the LAC is strictly regulated as per the border agreements of 1993, 1996 and 2005.
With inputs from The Hindu