New Delhi, January 16

Newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Bipin Rawat, on Thursday called for a US-style approach to tackle terrorism, like they did after the 9/11 attacks.

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue 2020, Gen Rawat said, “Terrorism is here to stay as long as there are states which use terror as policy and till there are proxies who provide weapons. We have to bring an end to terrorism and that can only happen the way Americans started after the 9/11 terror attacks.” “They said let’s go on a spree on global war on terror.

To do that you have to isolate the terrorists and anybody who is sponsoring terrorism has to be taken to task,” he added.

Gen Rawat was part of a panel discussion on the evolving nature of counterterrorism. The consensus among the speakers was that threat of terrorism was pervasive and continues to warrant international attention and greater cooperation within the intelligence community.

“Anyone sponsoring terrorism has to be taken to task,” the CDS added. On being asked by the moderator of the discussion if he was referring to Pakistan, he said, “I am referring to any such country.”

On Pakistan, Gen Rawat said, “You have to bring about accountability. Denial that they (Pak) are victims of terror is not an answer. Time has come to take the bull by its horns.”

He lauded the pressure exerted on Pakistan at the recent Financial Action Task Force (FATF) , which he said was a reflection of global recognition of Pakistan’s role in harbouring terrorists.

On being asked if the Army had been heavy-handed in Kashmir, Gen Rawat said there was an impression that the Army was heavy-handed, but that was wrong. “We used hard measures in early 1990s. Look at the casualties we are suffering,” he argued his opinion.

The UK Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan, Gareth Bayley, responded to allegations of the UK being too close to Pakistan. “It is a simple matter of necessity,” he added. “We have to be engaged with countries across South Asia, having robust conversations across all levels about what needs to happen urgently.”

Responding to allegations that social media platforms are often used as propaganda tools by those seeking to promote violent extremism and hate, Facebook Policy Lead Erin Saltman acknowledged their inability to ascertain the threat and scope of its influence. However, she stressed that in the past five years, Facebook had redoubled its efforts to identify and counter such extremist online content. — TNS