Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat on Friday hinted at extending the unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir. "We suspended the operations to give people an atmosphere of peace and I believe people are happy,” said Gen Rawat. "If things continue in similar fashion, continuing of non-initiation of combat operations can be thought of. But if militant activities continue, we cannot do so."
He said that if Pakistan wants peace in the region, it should stop militants from “infiltrating into Jammu and Kashmir.” "We want peace on the borders, but as you know Pakistan continuously violates the ceasefire that causes loss of life and property. In such case, we have to retaliate. If Pakistan wants peace, we expect them to take the initiative -- which can be to stop infiltration," Gen Rawat told the media on the sidelines of a function in Pahalgam. Army Chief Bipin Rawat today said exemplary punishment would be given to Major Leetul Gogoi if he was found guilty of "any offence". On May 23, Gogoi was briefly detained by police in Srinagar after an altercation when he was allegedly trying to enter a hotel with an 18-year-old woman, according to a police official.
"If any officer of the Indian army is found guilty of any offence, we will take strictest possible action," Rawat told reporters at Pahalgham while on a visit to the Army Goodwill School. "If Major Gogoi has done something wrong, I assure you that he will be awarded punishment at the earliest...the punishment will set an example," the army chief said. The Jammu and Kashmir Police has initiated an inquiry into the incident involving Gogoi, whose decision to tie a civilian to the bonnet of his vehicle in Kashmir last year sparked a row.