Indian general warns Pakistan of ‘befitting reply’

An Indian general warned Pakistan on Sunday that it was making a “serious mistake” and said a “befitting reply” would be given with “full force” at a time and place of India’s choosing. “You (Pakistan) are making a serious mistake (with regard to ceasefire violations and BAT attacks) — do not do it,” General Officer Commanding Major General V.P. Singh told reporters in Rajouri, India-held Kashmir. He was replying to a volley of questions about what strong message he wanted to convey to Pakistan with regard to alleged ceasefire violations and what India had described as “border action team” (BAT) attacks on Indian posts along the Line of Control in Poonch. According to Indian officials, BAT is a mix of “Pakistani special forces personnel and terrorists” who carry out attacks on Indian targets. “What you are putting across, it is not going to affect, deter us or weaken our resolve,” General Singh said. Regarding the Indian army’s strategy in the wake of the alleged BAT attacks, Gen Singh said: “As far as BAT action is concerned, we are absolutely aware what kind of response it (Pakistan) is going to get — that response will be delivered.”