Amid uncertainty over the upcoming Foreign Secretary (FS)-level talks, Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag on Wednesday squarely blamed the Pakistani army for having derailed the peace process a "number of times" in the past. His remarks came in the backdrop of reports that Pakistani establishment was not on board with their Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif when it came to talks with India.
"It has done it number of times. I am not saying in this (Pathankot) connection..." he said when asked whether he felt that the Pathankot attack was an attempt by the Pakistani army and the ISI to disrupt the peace process.
The Army chief, who was addressing his annual press conference ahead of the Army Day here, also expressed his "concern" at infiltration along the borders with Pakistan in Punjab but made it clear that the responsibility lies with the Border Security Force (BSF), which is manning the area.
Suhag indicated that the six Pakistani terrorists could well have been hiding inside the Pathankot airbase as he asserted that no one came in once the Army cordon was placed along the 24-km-long permitere wall. He said it is a matter of "treason" if the terrorists had used the drug route to get in with local help.
Suhag rejected allegations about the lack of coordination in response to the attack, saying there was "complete synergy".
Refusing to comment on whether the FS-level talks should be held this week, the Army chief said it is a diplomatic and political decision.
On Pakistan's role in the attack, Suhag asserted that markings on medicines carried by them along with some of the equipment showed that they were from Pakistan. He said the evidence has been shared with the Pakistani authorities, but details will come out only after the probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Suhad added the motive of the Pathankot attack was to inflict maximum damage and generate a media hype.
The Army chief said the security environment facing the nation is becoming more "complex and dynamic", adding that at least 17 terror training camps continue to be active in PoK compared to 42 earlier. He said some of the camps were shut down few years ago due to international pressure.
On the Pathankot terror attack, Suhag said there was "no lack of coordination" and local commanders had complete liberty in planning and execution, of the counter-offensive operation, which was carried out under Western Army Commander Lt Gen KJ Singh.
His comments came amid questions raised by experts as to why there was multiple change of command and why the National Security Guard (NSG), a paramilitary force under the Home Ministry, led the operation.
"As far as the Army is concerned, it was not under anybody's command. It was under the Western Army Commander who was monitoring and controlling the operations on my behalf," Suhag said.
He added one of the important tasks at hand was to ensure the safety of the assets, over 10,000 residents and foreign trainees at the base.
He asserted that contrary to reports, eight columns of the Army, with 70 men each, were deployed besides the special forces. Asked if the decision to call in the NSG to handle the operation was correct, he said, "NSG is the best force to deal with hostage situation and it was a good decision."
Assuring the country, he said the Army is highly motivated and ready to respond to any threats to our national security. "It was a good operation. To ensure less casualties we had to take time to complete operation," he said.
Suhag said he was personally monitoring the operation and was in regular touch with Lt Gen Singh.
About infiltration, Suhag said that the reason why terrorists were using the Punjab border to enter the country was because anti-infiltration grid along the LOC in J&K has been strengthened and is difficult to breach.
Suhag asserted that there was total synergy and coordination during the operation against terrorists in Pathankot even as he admitted that some lessons needed to be learnt.
Suhag said the siege of a building near the Indian consulate in Afghanistan's Mazar-i-Sharif was not connected to the Pathankot attack, but added that only a thorough probe would lead to details.