New Delhi: Reacting to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's comment on multiple surgical strikes during UPA government, General Vijay Kumar Singh said, "Congress has a habit of lying. Will you please let me know which ‘So called Surgical Strike’ are you attributing to my tenure as COAS. Am sure you must have hired some Coupta to invent another story."
Former chief of Army Staff Bikram Singh also said, "I don't think earlier attempt has been made by Indian Army. It must be hearsay."
Former Army chief General Ved Prakash Malik also stood up against the Singh's statement, saying, "Cannot think of any such incidents where political leadership asked armed forces to carry out such a strike or gave assent to such plans by armed forces except one in 1984: to pre-empt Pakistan Army and occupy Soltoro range in siachen sector."
Manmohan Singh had earlier said that the Indian armed forces received a free hand to respond to external threats during the term of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA).
“Multiple surgical strikes took place during our tenure, too. For us, military operations were meant for strategic deterrence and giving a befitting reply to anti-India forces than to be used for vote garnering exercises,” former PM claimed.
He also stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party’s attempt to gain electoral mileage from military operations were 'shameful and unacceptable'.