'Disturbing inputs' about terror attack, says Army commander

Pathankot: There are some "disturbing" inputs about a terror attack in India aimed at creating the "maximum media impact" during the Shivratri festival and the ongoing Parliament session, a top army commander disclosed here on Saturday with an assurance that steps have been taken to deal with it.

"There are security-related problems today. You know, Maha Shivratri is coming. There are inputs which are disturbing but notwithstanding that extra care has been taken," Western Army Commander Lt Gen K J Singh told reporters here on the sidelines of a function.

When asked to elaborate, he refused but said such events are planned to create "maximum media impact".

"See elaboration is neither required nor warranted. These events (terror attacks) are planned to create maximum media impact and when can you create a media impact when Parliament is in session, when a festival is taking place, so both happen to be going on.. So that is why, there are inputs but we have taken steps against that. I must assure you of that," he said.

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Western Command went on to add that such "mischievous" activities will not deter a great nation as the Indian Army is fully geared to meet any eventuality.

"We want to tell whoever has got this mischievous intentions that nothing can deter us, one Pathankot, one Arnia, one Janglot, once more Samba, cannot deter us. This nation is too great. Indian army is fully organised. We will take care of every situation," Lt Gen Singh said.

When asked about inputs that some Pakistan-based terrorist commanders were in touch with their Kashmiri counterparts, he said, "there are certain inputs. There are certain indications. I should only tell you this much that we are fully prepared for that."

With regard to the detection of a tunnel in Jammu on the International Border with Pakistan, he said it had helped avert a major terror attack.

He added that a survey will be carried out in all the border areas to see if there are any more such tunnels, for which a team of officials of Home Ministry and other security agencies has been formed.

On the proposed visit of Pakistan investigation team to probe the Pathankot terrorist attack, Lt Gen Singh said measures need to be taken so that the team is not able to gather strategic information.

"This is not in my domain. That investigation is done by the NIA. There are other agencies dealing with it. But our government will take an appropriate call. We have capable people and I don't think we have anything to hide. We have nothing to hide. Only thing, the team which comes should not be able to gather strategic information. For that, due measures will be taken, I am sure of that. Otherwise our government has got agencies," he said.

About Pakistan sending a team to review security arrangements for the finals of the T20 match, he said, "As a solider, I do not go into these domains and all this I only look at the things which are relevant to me. For me, it is relevant that in every such event I have to analyse the security challenges.

"If the cricket match takes place, then the security challenges associated with it are already being looked at and due measures will be put in place that I can assure you."