EXCLUSIVE: Surgical strike commander speaks to ETV Bharat

Srinagar: Lt Gen DS Hooda (retd.), who headed the Northern Command at the time of surgical strikes in September 2016, condemned the terrorist attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday. Nearly 40 soldiers were killed and dozens got injured in the attack.

In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, the former head of Northern Command on Friday said that the attack is a provocation and we will come up with an appropriate response to it.

"Terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed has claimed responsibility of the attack which clearly hints that it is a provocation. During Uri attack no terrorist organistaion took responsibility," Hooda said.

"There is going to be an appropriate response to it," he added.

When asked what kind of response can be expected, he said, "It's up to the Government to decide."

Further he added, "There will be attempts to isolate Pakistan diplomatically. We will also go to the United Nations. We will also talk to America regarding Pakistan."

Jaish-e-Mohammed is a terror outfit based in Pakistan.

"According to me, there will be military response as well. Whether it will be similar to 2016 surgical strike or something else, it depends on army chief and government to decide."

Speaking on terrorism in Kashmir he said, "Government should seriusly look into Kashmir policy. Since incidents of terrorism are rising in Kashmir, its important to recheck the strategies."