Army Chief General Bipin Rawat

Stating that more than 300 terrorists are waiting across the Line of Control (LoC) to infiltrate into India, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat on Thursday said that any talks with separatists in Jammu and Kashmir can only take place after the gun is shunned and asked terrorists to 'come overground' and look for peace.

Addressing the annual press conference ahead of the Army Day, Gen Rawat said that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir needs to be brought under better control.

When asked about the possibility of talks with the separatists, the Army Chief said; "Our position is very clear-shun the gun and stop taking support from the western neighbour. Talks can happen only if they shun violence".

He further stated; "But the offer to terrorists to come over ground (and) look for peace is always there because who is affected by this, people of Kashmir themselves and they are realising this'.



He also said that the Indian Army is very professional and does not target civilians intentionally.

"There are terrorists operating from the Pakistani soil who attempt to cross the border. So it is very difficult to identify between a civilian and a terrorist", he stated.

"If a terrorist is firing at me, even the UN allows us to use maximum force", Rawat said.

He also spoke about the menace of stone pelting in Kashmir directed at the security forces.

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