NEW DELHI, Oct 21: Amid tough talking by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Congress today said the local commanders of the Army have been given “full operational independence”.
“If the Chief Minister has some suggestions, it is better that he gives it to the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister and discuss among themselves. The Defence Minister had stated sometime back that full operational freedom has been given to local commanders (of the forces)” party spokesperson Sandip Dikshit told reporters.
His reaction came soon after Abdullah asserted that India cannot be at the “receiving end” of unabated ceasefire violations by Pakistan and should “respond in kind” if these persist.
Referring to the meeting between Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New York last month, Omar said Singh was very forthright in putting across India’s serious its concerns in a clear manner.
At the AICC briefing, Dikshit also made it categorically clear that India was firmly against any third party mediation in resolving the Kashmir issue, a demand raised by Sharif.
Referring to the Shimla accord, he said the agreement has it that any issue between the two countries has to be resolved bilaterally. “No third individual, country or force come in between nor we will allow it to come,” Dikshit said. (PTI)
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