Uri attack: India rules out ‘knee-jerk’ reaction

Government does not want to take any “knee-jerk” reaction in the wake of terror attack in Uri allegedly by terror groups based in Pakistan while it was considering various options, top sources said.

| SEPTEMBER 20, 2016, 04:45 AM IST
Will respond at time, place of our choosing: Army

PTI  
NEW DELHI  

Sources privy to the deliberations among the top government functionaries said there will be no “knee-jerk” reaction “anytime soon” even though 18 soldiers were killed by four terrorists backed by Pakistan-based groups in the attack on an Army Brigade Headquarters in Uri near the line of control yesterday.   
Action will be taken only after proper planning, coordination, exploring all options 
and taking everyone concerned into confidence, sources said.   
They recalled that in the case of Mynamar last year, the Army carried out an operation along the border against NSCN-K militants involved in the killing of 18 soldiers in Manipur in June, 2015 only after a week.   
“Here, we have a hostile Pakistani establishment. So any hasty action is completely ruled out,” a source said.   
As clamour for strong action against Pakistan over the Uri attack grew, the Army said it reserves the right to respond at a time and place of its choosing.  

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“The Indian Army has displayed considerable restraint while handling the terrorist situation both along the Line of Control and in hinterland. However, we have the desired capability to respond to such blatant acts of aggression and violence as deemed appropriate by us,” Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Ranbir Singh told reporters.   
Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh too appeared to echo government’s thinking by saying that no action should be taken under the influence of emotions and anger.   
“Having seen the army closely, I feel, it needs to be analysed as to what happened there...It needs to be investigated how the incident took place and what were the lacuna.   
“...from the army’s side, alertness is required. The Kashmir situation needs to be thought about. The action has to be taken without getting influenced by emotions, anger. It has to be taken coolly and with proper planning,” he said.  
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