Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 31: Army today said the situation in entire North Kashmir is normal and the security grid has an upper-hand while as infiltration along the Line of Control (LoC) is down to a large extent.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Unity Cricket Cup grand finale at Hafruda area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district, General officer Commanding (GOC) Kilo force, Major General H S Sahi said that the security forces with the help of general public have managed to normalize the situation. “The place that once served as a hotspot of militancy is now busy in sports activities which reflects normalcy,” he said.
The GOC said that with the cooperation of the general public, security agencies have managed to normalize the situation in entire north Kashmir. “Some years back, infiltrated militants used the same route (Hafrada) to enter the Valley and now the same place is being used for sports events,” he said.
The Army officer said that this area in the past has witnessed encounters. “Today we are not talking about militants in Hafruda, Kupwara but about the youth involvement in sports events that would last for 15 days. This signifies situation is normal in Kupwara”, he added.
The GOC Kilo Force said that the Army started a series of sports events in the past three months that includes different games with participation of girls and boys at village and the district levels.
“The competence and calibre of Kashmiri youth is seen in such tournaments and the Army will encourage and keep holding more similar sports events in future too”, he said.
The GOC said that the prevailing normalcy has to continue so that the youth are able to exhibit their talent and achieve what they aim and the aim to organize such events is to involve youth and tell people that the situation is normal.
“The parameters of normalcy are prevailing in North Kashmir which depicts the situation is under control”, he said.
“Some incidents will continue to happen like the arrest of militant associates and surrender of local militants while the infiltration has been thwarted completely in the ensuing year”, the GOC said.
To a question about the rehabilitation policy for the militants, the army officer said that a surrender policy is already there while recommendations for a fresh one have been sent which is with the Government of India. “The approval and nod is awaited,” he said.
And in the meantime, Director General of Police Dilbag Singh said that of late youth who had chosen the wrong path are preferring to surrender which is a welcome development and a message to those who are still holding guns that they can still come back and join the mainstream.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Devas) that marks the anniversary of Sardar Vallabbhai Patel, at Zewan here, the DGP said that it is good and a welcome development that youth are surrendering in live actions during encounters. “In the past month, a few youths accepted the surrender offer of security forces. Those still holding guns in their hands and are on a wrong track, should follow suit. We will help and facilitate their return,” the DGP said.
Singh said that he was glad to see Kashmiri youth taking part in sports and other recreational activities. About the progress in the killing of three BJP men at Kulgam, he said the attackers have been identified and the probe is going in the right direction.
About the Ekta Divas, he said that since past six years, the day is observed across all States/UTs. “Today a grand parade was held in Zewan where contingents of all the security agencies and the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) took part,” the DGP said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
