Pune: Stating that any person found guilty in the fake encounter case at Siachen would be dealt with severely, Chief of Army Staff General N C Vij today (May 31, 2004) said, "Such things cannot be encouraged in the Army."

"The Army has taken a very serious view of the whole matter. Such things cannot be encouraged in the Army. Any person found guilty in the case would be severely dealt with," Gen Vij told reporters on the sidelines of the Passing Out Parade of the 106th course at the National Defence Academy at Khadakwasala near Pune.

"However, mistake of an individual should not be construed as an aberration of the whole Army," he said.

A military court in Jodhpur, headed by Brig Philip Campose, is recording summary evidence in the Siachen fake killings case as a follow up of a court of inquiry, which held Col Singh and Maj R Lamba responsible for administrative lapses and recommended disciplinary action against Maj Singh for making exaggerated claims. Maj Singh had alleged that the Colonel asked his juniors to arrange fake killings in Siachen glacier.

Asked about infiltration (in Jammu and Kashmir), Vij said, "There is no infiltration currently, but since snow has started melting we are keeping a tight vigil."

"We will see what is the attitude of the other side," he added.

Referring to the Army operation to tackle the separatist's problem in Northeast, he said that the operation with Bhutan Royal Army has caused a great harm to ULFA and other separatist groups within the region and it was a big success.

But he refused to tell if similar operation would be carried out with Bangladesh Army.

Earlier, the Army chief reviewed the passing out parade in which a total of 318 cadets passed out, putting up an exemplary and spectacular parade after completion of three years of successful training.