India, Jan. 9 -- The Danish defence ministry has reportedly ordered its troops to prepare to "shoot first, ask questions later" in case the US tries to forcibly capture Greenland. The directive to Danish soldiers comes amid US President Donald Trump's repeated threats to take over Greenland, a territory under Denmark's jurisdiction.

Soldiers are ordered to shoot without any direct orders, in case attempts to invade Greenland are made, the Danish defence ministry told Berlingske, a local newspaper.

The directive is part of a Cold War-era rule from 1952, which reportedly mandates soldiers to "immediately take up the fight" against any foreign force. According to the rule, soldiers must act "without waiting for or seeking orders, even if t...