New Delhi/Islamabad, Sep 23 (UNI) Amid exchange of strong words between Indian and Pakistani sides especially in the context of cancellation of foreign ministers' meet in New York, Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat on Sunday suggested that it could be erroneous to "expect anything better from Pakistan".
"......to expect anything better from Pakistan I don't think we should be hoping for anything better unless they (all stake holders in Pakistan) give a serious thought to the entire concept of terrorism and the support to terrorists they have been providing year after year," Gen Rawat told Times Now.
He said Pakistan has "decided" to support terrorism in Kashmir valley and in other parts of the region and "this is something that carries on....support to terrorism by Pakistanis army and particularly the ISI continues undeterred".
Meanwhile, a BJP source declined to comment much on the delicate and sensitive diplomatic issues between India and Pakistan, but said harsh steps like 'surgical strike' should be used as an element of surprise along the western borders.
The remarks from Army chief came after several Pakistani leaders including Prime Minister Imran Khan has tried to give a notion that Islamabad is sincere about talks and improving relations with India.
In a tweet on Saturday, Mr Khan said he was "disappointed at the arrogant and negative response by India" to call off the peace dialogue and also alleged that Indian leadership is lacking "the vision to see the larger picture".
In last two days other Pakistani leaders have also used strong words trying to put the blame on India for cancelling two foreign ministers Sushma Swaraj and Shah Mahmood Qureshi's meet in New York.
Pakistan Information Minister Ch Fawad Hussain tweeted saying: "We reject war mongering by ruling elite of India. Everyone knows that Indian government's strategy is to use hate-mongering against Pakistan to basically bail [out] PM Modi from calls for resignation and divert attention of [the] Indian public from this mega corruption [Rafale deal]".
For his part, Army chief Gen Rawat said: "Every time we try to bring violence under control, Pakistan adopts a different strategy and ensures that violence level continues".
"If you look at what is happening in the past when they you will find that when they are on the losing side ...and the situation is nearing under control, they are now abducting police men brutally killing men, asking the police people to shed the uniform and surrender their jobs".
This, the General said, is leading the Kashmiri population in "dire straits and dichotomous situation" --- on one hand insurgency in there in the valley because they feel there is no job, no development....on the other side when they have jobs, terrorists are asking policemen to surrender their jobs and come back home".
".....I am quite sure the people of Kashmir will understand the game plan of terrorists and their supporters from Pakistan ....this may be the turning point in the history of terrorism in Kashmir," he said.
Asked whether things have really changed in Pakistan, he said: "Unless Pakistanis themselves do not understand this and people of Kashmir do not understand, this kind of activities will continue".
In last two days, talking to different media, Gen Rawat endorsed government's decision to cancel talks between Sushma Swaraj and Pak foreign Minister Qureshi.
He has further said: “They (Pakistan) keep saying that they won't let their soil be used for terrorist activities against other nation. But we can see that terrorist activities are taking place".
UNI DEVN SHK2054