Surgical strike a huge setback for Pakistan: Former army chief

Kolkata, Sep 30: Lauding the Army and Air Force personnel for launching "surgical strikes" on terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control, former army chief General Shankar Roychowdhury on Thursday said it was a "huge setback" for Pakistan.

However, he cautioned that Pakistan could try to do a repeat of the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes.

"I am very happy. Whoever has taken part in the operation, our army jawans, Air Force jawans and officers, I applaud them," said the retired general.

He said the strikes were a slap on Pakistan's face.

"It is a huge setback for Pakistan. It is a slap on their face."

But General Roychowdhury warned that Pakistan would "respond, either today, tomorrow or the day after. We must be prepared for that."

Reiterating that Pakistan could do something similar to the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack, he said "where they will do it, when and through whom, I cannot say".

The general said India needed to maintain a high level of alertness.

"The intelligence sources, intelligence services, the Research and Analysis Wing have to be active. We need to plan for contingency."

IANS