Army chief General Bipin Rawat during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir | Photo Credit: IANS

Key Highlights Union minister Jitendra Singh said the Modi government now intends to retrieve parts of PoK and make them a part of India Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said that he was just waiting for the order

New Delhi: Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Thursday sent out a strong message to Pakistan, days after Union minister Jitendra Singh said the Narendra Modi government now intends to retrieve parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and make them a part of India.

Resonating a similar sentiment, the Army Chief said it is on the government to take a decision as regards what to do in PoK, but whatever it is, the Army is ready for any scenario. He added that he was just waiting for the order.

"The government takes action in such matters. Institutions of the country will work as per the orders of the government. The Army is always ready," said Rawat when asked if his force was ready for action in PoK.

While speaking about Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi's statement that Jammu Kashmir is an Indian state, General Rawat said, "We are very happy as you are, after listening to this. This is the truth. This is the reality."

General Rawat further said the people of Jammu Kashmir should understand that "what is happening there is for them only. When the government has given certain instructions...Article 370 has been scrapped...all this has been done to integrate Jammu and Kashmir with India."

On Tuesday, Jitendra Singh had said: "Next on agenda is retrieving parts of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir and making it a part of India. It is not only my party's commitment, but it was also part of a unanimously passed resolution of the Parliament in 1994. This was passed by the Congress-led government of Narasimha Rao."

He had added, "A few days ago, prime minister of Pakistan said that India is planning to take an action bigger than Balakot. It means that Pakistan PM acknowledges what India did in Balakot."

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday hit out at Pakistan for gross human rights violations in PoK, adding "if any talks in the terror-free atmosphere with Pakistan will be held that will be on PoK".

On Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had said that from now on, India will hold talks only regarding Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

While addressing 'Jan Aashirwad Yatra' at Kalka in Haryana on Sunday, Rajnath Singh had said: "Article 370 was abrogated in J&K for its development. Our neighbour is knocking doors of the international community and saying India has made a mistake. Talks with Pakistan will be held only if it stops supporting terror. If talks are held with Pakistan, it will now be on PoK."

Pakistan has upped the ante against India ever since Parliament gave its nod for the abrogation of Article 370, which accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir.