NEW DELHI, Jan 11: India’s army chief said on Friday the military situation with Pakistan was serious and “there is scope for a limited conventional war.”

“When two countries mobilize their forces and place them on the border, it is not normal. The situation can comfortably be described as serious,” Gen S. Padmanabhan told a news conference.

“To say that there is scope for a limited conventional war is a truism. Yes it is there, but it all depends on the circumstances,” he said.

“I have not gone to do an exercise. I have gone to be ready for war, to defend my country,” Gen Padmanabhan said.

He said India would not be the first country to use nuclear weapons. But the army was ready to mount a counter nuclear strike, should Islamabad resort to using them.

“When you talk of a sufficiency of nuclear weapons, take it from me, we have enough,” he said.

The army chief’s news conference added substance to India’s threat to use the military option.

He also said there was little of substance being exchanged in phone calls made every Tuesday between the directors-general of military operations of India and Pakistan, and meant to ease tensions.—APP/Reuters