Ajay Banerjee,Tribune News Service,New Delhi, January 13

Clarifying on the operation to flush out terrorists at the Pathankot Air Force station, Army Chief Dalbir Singh Suhag on Wednesday said local commanders had complete liberty in planning and execution, and that the counter-offensive was carried out under Western Army Commander Lt Gen KJ Singh.General Suhag addressed a press conference in New Delhi and his statement assumes significance in view of the fact that retired Army officers had been questioning as to why the operation was “micro-managed” from Delhi, and who was in command during the January 2 terror attack.And also, why the Army, the last resort of the nation, was put under the command of the National Security Guard, a force governed by the Ministry of Home Affairs?“As far as the Army is concerned, it was not under anybody’s command. It was under the Western Army Commander who was monitoring and controlling the operations on my behalf,” said General Suhag.The Army Chief also said “there was no lack of coordination, and there was complete synergy”. One of the focus areas was to ensure the safety of assets (planes and helicopters at the IAF base) and families at the attack site, for which a strong cordon had to be established, he said.General Suhag also defended the government’s move to send in the NSG: “Instead of moving the NSG later, it was wise to take preemptive action to send the elite unit in advance. The NSG is ideally trained to tackle hostage situations.”Asked whether the Army was ready for covert operations in Pakistan, General Suhag said, “The Army is fully prepared and ready to respond to any threats and challenges.” He said National Security Adviser Ajit Doval had convened a meeting on January 1. “We alerted the forces in that area, quick reaction teams were formed and columns readied,” he added.