DG ISPR refutes HT report on army chief’s contact with Indian counterpart

RAWALPINDI (92 News) – The Pakistan Army on Thursday refuted the report of Indian Newspaper ‘Hindustan Times’, in which, claimed Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa contacted his Indian counterpart to initiate bilateral talks between the neighbouring countries. Inter-Service Public Relation (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor termed the story of Indian media as “factually incorrect”. He also said that decision for talks is prerogative of both the government. In his tweet, the DG ISPR said, “Hindustan Times reports that COAS had approached Indian COAS for talks & that both had served together in Congo. Story is factually incorrect.” “COAS has neither approached Indian COAS nor has served with him in Congo. Decision for talks is prerogative of both the govts,” he tweeted.

Hindustan Times reports that COAS had approached Indian COAS for talks & that both had served together in Congo. Story is factually incorrect. COAS has neither approached Indian COAS nor has served with him in Congo. Decision for talks is prerogative of both the govts.@htTweets

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) January 24, 2019

Hindustan Times claims  COAS Bajwa's  contact with Indian counterpart

On the report of Hindustan Times, Chief of Indian Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat Gen Bipin Rawat also dismissed reports that an overture was made to him by the Pakistan Army chief last year. “I am a soldier and we talk straight. We will take a call if I am approached,’’ Gen Rawat claimed. Earlier,Indian Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Bapin Rawat confessed that India is spying on Line of Control (LoC) at Pakistani boundaries. Speaking to annual conference, Gen Rawat admitted the fact that India does send quad-copters over the LoC with a purpose of spying. “Our two quad-copters were shot down by Pakistan,” he informed. The Indian army chief also affirmed that India is involved in ceasefire violation on the LoC, despite being aware that the civilian population lives in proximity on the Pakistan’s side of the LoC. Gen Bapin Rawat also admitted that the situation of Indian-held Jammu Kashmir (IHK) is “out of control”, adding that there is need to make better the situation in IHK. He said that Indian supported the peace process between the US and Afghanistan Taliban but it does not mean to negotiate with Pakistan on Kashmir issue.