Army Chief Makes It Plain – Any Disruption Of Peace Will Be Punished

Army chief General Bipin Rawat said on Sunday that India desired peace but will give a befitting reply if peace was disrupted, warning Pakistan but without naming it. At the Army Day event in New Delhi, the Army Chief gave away 15 gallantry awards, including five posthumous ones. Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, who died in an avalanche at Siachen, the world's highest battlefield, was among the award winners.

The Army Day is celebrated on 15 January commemorate the day when Lt Gen K M Cariappa took over as the Commander-in-Chief of India in 1949 from General Sir Francis Butcher.

Speaking at the event, General Rawat also warned soldiers against using social media for airing their grievances, adding it could result in punishment.

"A few colleagues are using social media to share their problems. It affects the morale of the jawans and thereby the army," he said, and asked the soldiers to use the established channels. "If you are not happy with the action, you can contact me directly."

With Inputs From IANS.