DM reviews security in Kashmir
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, June 16: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said that militancy in Kashmir has declined to a large extent but accused Pakistan of fomenting trouble.
Singh who arrived here on two-day visit while addressing soldiers in the border town of Uri, said that the neighboring country continues its efforts to foment trouble in Kashmir but “soldiers have always thwarted such designs.”
He said that there is no need to tell what kind of nefarious acts Pakistan is indulging in. “Every day incidents happen because of them. Militants used to come in large numbers earlier but now it has remained negligible too and it’s credit goes directly to the Army, BSF, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police and whom I myself congratulate,” he added.
Singh said that by cutting fencing Pakistan always tries to keep “our country in turmoil.” “We have upgraded our fencing capabilities that cutting it would be very difficult now,” he said.
Praising Army for protecting the borders, Singh said: “I want to tell soldiers that the whole country trusts you because you are always ready to face any enemy.”
The Defence Minister said that militants used to come in large numbers but as of now their number has come down to a large extent and is negligible now. He said credit for the diminishing number of militants goes to security forces including police force.
“Earlier, major activities related to militancy were being witnessed in Jammu and Kashmir but there is a significant decline in such acts,” he said.
He commended the troops for fulfilling their responsibilities efficiently even in challenging situations, describing their valour and zeal as remarkable.
He lauded the security personnel for serving the country with indomitable courage and dedication and instilling the sense of national pride in the people, especially the youth.
Rajnath Singh said India is a peace loving country which has given the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the whole world is one family) to the world.
“We have never tried to hurt any country in any way, nor have we tried to capture even an inch of anyone’s land,” he said.
He, however, said that if an attempt is ever made to hurt the unity and integrity of the Nation, the Armed Forces will give a befitting reply.
He exuded confidence that the Armed Forces will face the future challenges with full strength and their valour and dedication will build a golden future of the country.
The Defence Minister also reviewed security at Army’s Srinagar-based 15 Corps headquarters and also visited forward areas in Kashmir.
A defence spokesman said that Singh visited the forward areas of Jammu and Kashmir and took stock of the security situation along the border. “He undertook a first-hand assessment of the situation in the formations looking after Line of Control (LoC) and forward areas in North Kashmir.
He was accompanied by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande; General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC-in-C), Northern Command Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi; GoC, 15 Corps Lt Gen AS Aujla and GoC, 19 Infantry Division Maj Gen Ajay Chandpuria.
He said that that Singh was briefed on the existing ceasefire agreement on the LoC, development works on field fortifications, Counter Infiltration Grid, operational preparedness and Army-citizen connect in border areas.
Upon his arrival at 15 Corps headquarters, Singh was briefed by the GOC 15 Corps on the overall security situation prevalent on Line of Control and the hinterland. He was also briefed on the measures instituted for the safety and security of Amarnath yatra.
He was briefed about the situation along the LoC and was told that Pakistan tries to infiltrate militants into Kashmir to foment trouble here. He was given detailed briefing about the security grid along the LoC.
Sing was also given detailed briefing about the operations that have been conducted here in Kashmir in which 107 militants including 30 Pakistanis were killed. He was told that security forces are conducting intelligence based operation so as to minimize collateral damage.
He interacted with the personnel of the Armed Forces, Border Security Force (BSF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and J&K Police.
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