We are facing a dirty war in Jammu and Kashmir: Army chief Bipin Rawat

New Delhi: Defending the use of a Kashmiri resident as a human shield, Indian Army Chief Bipin Rawat claimed that the army is witnessing a "dirty war" in Jammu and Kashmir which needs to be dealt with using "innovative" ways.

Interacting with a leading news agency, Rawat said that the Army decided to award Major Leetul Gogoi in a bid to boost the morale of young officers of the force who are executing their duties in a very difficult environment in the militancy-infected state.

It may be mentioned that amid the probe of a Court of Inquiry Gogoi was given a Commendation medal by Army Chief for using a Kashmiri as a human shield from stone pelters.

"This is a proxy war and proxy war is a dirty war. It is played in a dirty way. The rules of engagements are there when the adversary comes face-to-face and fights with you. It is a dirty war... That is where innovation comes in. You fight a dirty war with innovations," Rawat said, in what were the General's most comprehensive comments yet to the media on the issue.

Gogoi had drawn lots of criticism by human rights activists, Kashmiri groups and a few retired Army Generals for the move. He was also awarded for his continued efforts in counterinsurgency operations.

"People are throwing stones at us, people are throwing petrol bombs at us. If my men ask me what do we do, should I say, just wait and die? I will come with a nice coffin with a national flag and I will send your bodies home with honour. Is it what I am supposed to tell them as chief? I have to maintain the morale of my troops who are operating there," Gen Rawat said.

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Speaking over the complexity of the security threat in Jammu and Kashmir, Gen Rawat suggested that it would have been easier for the security forces to deal with the protesters if they were firing weapons instead of throwing stones.

"In fact, I wish these people, instead of throwing stones at us, were firing weapons at us. Then I would have been happy. Then I could do what I (want to do)," he said.

Gen Rawat, who has worked extensively in Jammu and Kashmir, claimed that if the people of a country lose fear of the army, then the country is doomed.

"Adversaries must be afraid of you and at the same time your people must be afraid of you. We are a friendly army, but when we are called to restore law and order, people have to be afraid of us," he said.

Gen Rawat claimed that being the head of Indian Army, it was up to him to uplift the morale of his jawans in the Valley and he did the same by awarding Major Gogoi.

"As Army Chief my concern is morale of the Army. That is my job. I am far away from the battle field. I cannot influence the situation there. I can only tell the boys that I am with you. I always tell my people, things will go wrong, but if things have gone wrong and you did not have malafide intent, I am there," he said.