Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 26: Army today sought cooperation of the people in restoring peace in Kashmir under grim situation and said that they will kill militants but won’t harm civilians.
General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps, Lt General J S Sandhu, talking to reporters at the end of a two-day youth festival ‘Jashn-e-Baramulla’, said the situation in Kashmir is “grim” but the Valley has to be taken out of such a situation towards peace and prosperity.
Asking the people of Kashmir to cooperate with the Army, the GOC said the intent of the force is not to harm the civilians.”Only yesterday, in the Unified Headquarters meeting, we discussed this (not harming civilians during anti-militancy operations). Our intent is also that people should cooperate,” he said.
Lt Gen Sandhu said that Army’s intent is to kill militants without harming civilians. “It is a matter of concern, but I want to assure you that for the last few months, we have been taking action against the militants to a great deal and we will continue doing so… We will continue action against the militants here. We have to kill militants and we will kill militants only. We should not need to kill anyone else. Basically, our intent is that,” he said.
The General did not elaborate but was apparently referring to the situations when the Army is forced to act against mobs of stone-pelters who assemble at the encounter sites to disrupt operations by the forces against militants and last month when three civilians were killed in an operation in Chadoora area of Budgam district in which one militant was eliminated.
Lt Gen Sandhu while referring to last Saturday surgical operation when Army killed two militants in Hayatpora near Budgam and asserted that “such operations will continue.”
Expressing happiness over the ‘Jashn-e-Baramulla’ festival in which Kashmiri youth participated in large numbers, the Army Commander said it was a ray of hope as it “gives us a sense that people here want peace” and “want their lives to be better”. He said the Army has to take along youth of the Valley as they are the future of the nation.
Lt Gen Sandhu said: “It is absolutely right, 100 per cent, that we have to take the youth along and work with them because youth is the future of a nation. If we cannot ensure better future of the youth, then the nation will not progress.”
The GOC said that Kashmir has to be taken out of the grim situation. “Today, Kashmir is going through grim situation and we have to take Kashmir out of this situation, towards happiness and prosperity. But, I think, that is not up to us. That is in the hands of the people of Kashmir,” he said.
“Our endeavour is to take a step. When others cooperate with us, such steps increase. But if there are hurdles in front of those steps, then there are difficulties. But, I want to assure you that the Government forces, security forces and people, all want peace and we are all trying to restore that peace,” Lt Gen Sandhu added.
The Army Commander said that they are fully geared to stop infiltration. He said that according to an estimate, in our area (15 Corps) there are about 150 militants at present. “There would be some more near Poonch-Rajouri areas as well”, he added.
The GOC expressed concern over the number of videos of militants being circulated on the social media and the rise in militancy- related incidents in the Valley.
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