New Delhi:
Army Chief's new statement, first on NDTV:
- Media should not project issue as battle between government and the Army
- The Army and the chief of Army Staff are also part of government
- Rogue elements trying to create schism between Defence Minister and chief
- We need to guard against rogue elements - no schism between us
- Timing of raising bribery issue has been questioned
- Bribery issue has revived now because the person in question re-surfaced in March
- Institutional corrective steps were taken earlier after talks with Antony
- Selective leaks culminated in airing of letter to PM
- Duty bound to serve country and protect integrity of Army even if we sometimes have to look within
- Need to look within the confines of system and law
- Frivolous and uninformed comments should not be made on military matters