Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, May 19: Defence Minister, Arun Jaitley, today said that the armed forces will give adequate response to any ceasefire violations by Pakistan and are fully prepared to foil infiltration of militants from across the Line of Control (LoC) into Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference here, Jaitley said: “Our soldiers are fully confident that they will not allow any form of infiltration to take place. And if there is any effort or any form of ceasefire violation, our soldiers will give an adequate response.,”
The Defence Minister earlier conducted an aerial survey of LoC and interacted with the troops in Rampur sector in North Kashmir this morning. “I visited the LoC, interacted with officials and jawans there. I complement the Indian Army for its level of preparedness and enthusiasm,” he said.
Accompanied by GOC of Baramulla based 19-Division of Army, Major General RP Kalita, Jaitley visited the forward areas in Rampur Sector. He interacted with the troops and praised their grit, determination and selfless service to the nation.
Expressing his happiness to be amidst the soldiers, Jaitley said that the entire country recognised the challenging circumstances that troops are operating in and stood behind them in all their endeavours. He asked the troops on the LoC to maintain strict vigil at all times to thwart any nefarious designs of forces inimical to national interests.
Major General Kalita briefed Jaitley about the situation along the LoC and the preparedness of the troops to foil any infiltration attempts in his operational area. He also gave him detailed account about the counter-infiltration grid.
The Defence Minister said that security forces will deal with militants strongly. “With an average citizen, irrespective of his political views, we would like him to be on the Indian side in this debate. But as far as those who are killing people we cannot extend the same facility to them. They have to be treated as a serious insurgency problem and dealt with accordingly,” he added.
Jaitley said it is clear that terrorism and militancy are aimed against the Indian State, its sovereignty and the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “The effect of their actions is that besides security personnel, it is the local citizens who are losing their lives. Therefore, those who are indulging in violence of this magnitude are certainly to be held accountable for their actions,” he said.
On widespread protests in Kashmir, the Defence Minister said the sentiments can be addressed when there is peaceful atmosphere. “At the end of the day, the current situation emerges when you take to arms and start killing security forces then you get in a cycle which doesn’t stop. The aspirations will have to be addressed when the State is in a peaceful format. You can’t have the energies of the State involved in just in combating violence at various places,” he said.
Jaitley said, unfortunately the resources which are meant for economic development, are today being used essentially for security. “Who is to be blamed for unleasing this era of violence?”, he asked. He said that the priority of the Government is to restore normalcy, particularly in South Kashmir”.
On the sting operation carried out by a private TV channel on how separatists are being funded by Pakistan to stoke trouble in Kashmir, the Defence Minister said the expose has confirmed what was already known in informed circles. “It was known that they were being funded from across the border. They were funded to create the unrest. They were funded to burn schools, they were funded to kill people and destroy public property. “So their actions were the conspiracy not only against the Indian state but also the average resident of Kashmir valley. This was all being talked about and what your report has done is to almost bring out a confessional statement of the concerned players accepting it,” he said. He added that the concerned agency and the Government will take whatever action is needed in this regard.
On Army using a man as human shield during protests, the Minister said an investigation is being carried out into the matter. “Let us not forget that the Army is a responsbile institution and the Army was also interested in saving the lives of various people who were involved both in election process and also the large crowd of protesters, who had gathered there,” he said.
Jaitley said while economic development of Jammu and Kashmir is certainly a priority of the Government, there should be no envy felt on what is happening on other side of the border (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor). “I can tell you the economic development of the State is certainly our priority. Let no body be envious what happens across the border. There are examples in the history where people had entered in the name of connectivity, then establish a strategic presence,” he added.
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