In the aftermath of Pathankot attack and Defense Minister’s Manohar Parrikar's warning about giving "pain" to those who harmed India, "at a time and a place of our choosing", Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag said today: "The army is ready to carry out any task." General Suhag, said: "But I don't want to comment on what the defense minister said."

Army chief asserted that there was "no issue of coordination" between forces during the operation to neutralize the six terrorists who attacked the air base. "I can assure that there was no issue of coordination between the forces at Pathankot," General Suhag said. "Reports that only two columns of the army were deployed were wrong as eight were deployed," he said.

"There were two soldiers in the building where two terrorists were holed up. We had to first pull them out and then launch the offensive for the terrorists. It was not an easy operation and we took our time to reduce or minimise the casualties," General Suhag said.

"The time taken to complete the operations should be left to the commander on the ground," he added. The army chief said: "How the terrorists got in despite the intelligence is being looked at by the NIA (National Investigation Agency). It is of concern and will one of key lessons learnt."

"It is easy to say a lot about the way the op was conducted, but the commanders on the ground were given full independence to make the right decisions," he said. "I have asked all my Army commanders to review and ensure security of all military establishments after Pathankot attacks," Gen Dalbir Singh added.

"Indian Army is ready to take any task. I don't want to comment on Defence Minister statement about action against enemy. Presently we are dealing with proxy very well," he said. "Medicines and arms make it clear that the terrorists have come from Pakistan. We have strong evidence about that,"  he said.

By Premji