I
Sir,
Kindly refer to the news item “Army Chief warns tough action against stone pelters in J&K” DE, 16th Feb, 2017.It has been experienced in the past that as and when security agencies carry out anti-militancy operations the local populations starts stone pelting on security forces to prevent them from conducting the operation and even supporting the terrorists to escape. Security forces are constrained under such circumstances to take any tough action against the local population to avoid casualties.
It may be mentioned that few days back three soldiers faced heavy stone-pelting in North Kashmir when they were about to launch an operation against the militants holed up there. Taking the benefit of stone- pelting the militants got an opportunity to fire hand grenades and firing from AK- rifles into the advancing troopers causing three jawans dead and injured some others. A Commanding Officer of the CRPF was also injured in the encounter. Thus one terrorist managed to escape from the encounter site. It has correctly been stated by the Army Chief that Security forces are facing higher casualties due to the manner in which the local population is preventing them from conducting a successful operation.
He has also requested the local population that the people who have picked up arms and they are the local boys, if they continue with the acts of terrorism, displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then Army will treat them as anti-national elements and take tough action.
It may not be out of place to mention here that the terrorists also want that Army take tough action against the stone- pelters so that there may be wide resentment among the local population for such stern action of the Army which may invite the international attention. So under such circumstances Army need much caution to deal with anti national elements in J&K state. Local population must also co-operate with the security agencies during anti- terrorists’ encounter to curb militancy in the state. However, there should be no compromise with the security and integrity of the country at any cost.
Yours etc…..
S.S.Jamwal, New Plots,
Jammu
II
Sir,
It is quite dismaying that political parties have started politicising Army Chief’s Statement issued in the interest of the nation. The unwarranted statements made by these parties will surely send a wrong signal and may hit the morale of securitymen who have been fighting in extremely difficult situation in militancy infested Kashmir valley.
Issuing statements from cosy bedrooms is quite easy than fighting with militants on the ground. If Indian army does not interfere in working of political parties why should they interfere in the working of Army.
Yours etc…
Sumit Sharma
Samba
III
Sir,
You have really done some plain speaking. I am fully in agreement with your views. What I do not understand is why is the Center is keeping mum making a few statements here and there. The only way this problem can be solved is by stern measures. No more negotiations and seminars. All sympathysers should be behind bars and away from the media; be it anyone. The sensitive areas should be under military and rest of J&K should be governed by the State Govt.
It is high time the Modi Govt start doing some real action rather than talk.
Yours etc….
Lt Col EP Balachandran
Palakkad
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