Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Oct 21: Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat said today that radicalization is a world-wide phenomenon and it is taking place in Jammu and Kashmir too but the Army was addressing it seriously. He also blamed social media for rise in radicalization among the youth of J&K.
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Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function where he presented the President’s Standards to 47 Armoured Regiment, Gen Rawat said Jammu and Kashmir Government, police and administration were concerned over rise in radicalization among youth and trying to wean away the youth from it.
Asserting that radicalization is taking place and it has become a world-wide phenomenon, the Army chief said they were addressing the issue with lot of seriousness and everybody was concerned about it. He also blamed social media for radicalization of people, particularly the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.
In response to a question whether talks should be initiated on Kashmir, the Army chief said: “military has a task and we will continue to perform that (task). Any decision on talks has to be decided politically”. He was responding to a question on the statement of Pakistan army chief that India and Pakistan should hold talks.
Maintaining that security situation in the Kashmir valley is improving, Gen Rawat said: “what is happening now just shows frustration of terrorists and their supporters”.
Army, it may be mentioned, has launched ‘Operation All Out’ against militants in the Kashmir valley in which top militants including their commanders have been killed and arrested while many others have surrendered.
Asked if the National Investigation Agency (NIA) raids were aimed at mellowing down the separatists in the Valley and giving a jolt to the stone pelters, Rawat said, “When the whole of the Government approach is adopted then every aspect and every machinery of the Government is to play a part and whatever success the NIA raids have achieved will emerge in the near future.”
“In Kashmir, we are following the Government approach and NIA raids against separatists and others were part of it. Whatever success it (the NIA raids) achieved will emerge in future,” Gen Rawat said.
The NIA has arrested around 10 prominent separatist leaders and businessmen in connection with terror funding and hawala operations, leading to considerable improvement in the situation in Kashmir especially in curbing street protests.
Responding to a question, the Army chief said the training camps of militants were intact across Line of Control (LoC), where terrorists were also active. However, he added that troops were in full control of the situation and seized of every activities by the militants and their supporters.
“Surgical strike was one of the mediums to eliminate the terrorists. There are many other ways too and required actions are being taken,” he added.
On Uri and Nagrota attacks probe, the General said, “appropriate action is being taken. Guilty is being punished and nobody is spared.”
Gen. Rawat brushed aside the issue of alleged braid chopping incidents in Kashmir as a “routine matter” which the civil administration and the police would deal with.
On the challenge being faced by the Government and the security agencies due to the alleged braid chopping incidents which have triggered violent protests in the state, Gen Rawat asked: “Why do you see it as a challenge?”
It has been happening in other parts of the country and now it has started happening in Kashmir as well, the Army chief said.
“We don’t see it as a challenge. It is a routine matter. Civil administration and police are taking action into it,” he said.
Asked if the separatists were taking advantage of alleged braid chopping to trigger turmoil in the Valley, he said the role of the media was important to uncover the truth behind it.
On introducing 72 Infantry Div to prevent Doklam like situation in Ladakh region, he said, “72 Infantry Div is a part of 17 Corps and its raising is going on as scheduled. It is being raised as force of deterrent.”
Meanwhile, on Operation Sadbhavana, Gen Rawat said, “winning hearts and minds is a part of any counter insurgency strategy. Success has been achieved under Operation Sadbhavana. Many people are supporting the Army.”
Speaking to the troops here, the Army chief urged them to remain ready as they are facing multifarious challenges on the security front, from ensuring safeguard of the borders to the internal security.
“Today there are various challenges before Indian Army. The challenges include security of the long borders in India, internal security and United Nations Peacekeeping Operations. In all these situations, Indian Army has to be always ready,” he said.
Earlier, Gen Rawat presented the President’s Standard to 47th Armoured Regiment, and asked the Armed forces to be ready for security challenges on the country’s borders and in the hinterland.
Gen Rawat, on the behalf of President Ram Nath Kovind, presented the honour to 47th Armoured Regiment at a mega function at Sunjwan Military Station in Jammu city today.
The ‘Standard’ is an award for unit heroism. It serves to inspire men and kindle the hopes of the future, and above all strengthen the bonds of allegiance towards the regiment, read an official press release here.
The 47th Armoured Regiment, also known as ‘Penetrators’, was honoured in recognition of its commendable services.
Led by Parade Commander Col Anubhav Gairola, the Armed units presented a parade of tanks and gave salute to the Army chief after they received the President’s Standard.
47th Armoured Regiment was raised at Babina in Uttar Pradesh on November 15, 1982 and it was the first Armoured Regiment to be equipped with Russian T-72 tanks.
The regiment has served in various armoured formations in the Western, Southern, Northern and South-Western Commands during its 35 years of glorious service.
The regiment has participated in all the major operations of Indian Army including Operation Trident (1986), Operation Vijay (1999) and Operation Parakaram (2001).
During its tenure in the Northern Command from 2002-06, the regiment participated in operation Rakshak where it executed multifarious operation tasks like demining, road opening, deploying surveillance detachments and providing quick reaction teams.
Not only this, the regiment also effectively participated in internal security duties at Sonepat in Haryana during anti-Mandal Commission riots.
“I feel fortunate to be presenting President’s Standard to 47th Armoured Regiment whose responsibility has increased after receiving the honour,” Gen Rawat said.
He also paid tributes to Savar Parshotam Reddy of 47th Armoured Regiment, who had laid down his life in line of duty during his attachment with 27 Rashtriya Rifles in 2002-03.
“He made the supreme sacrifice in the operation and made the Indian Army and his Regiment proud of him,” he said.
“The morale of the Regiment is high which can be seen from your report card of participation in most important operations in the country,” he said.
The Standard presentation ceremony showcases a mounted parade by the Regiment on the T-72 tanks with clock-work precision.
The occasion was graced by Lt. Gen. D R Soni, General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in-Chief) of Army Training Command (ARTRAC) and Lt Gen Surinder Singh, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Command.
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