Militancy in Kashmir almost over: Army General
Claiming that militancy in Jammu and Kashmir is almost over, the Army on Sunday said that situation in the state, especially in Valley, is much better now and about 60% militancy has been wiped out.
The Army had organized an event, titled ?Awami Mulaqat and Corps Commanders Interaction with Media and Common People?, in North Kashmir?s Handwara Town in which large number of people participated.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief of the army?s 15th Corps, Lt Gen Atta Hasnain said that Army stationed in Kashmir Valley is for the protection of people.
“Without the cooperation of people Army can?t function and it is my firm belief that people and Army should work closely for the benefit of this region,” General Hasnain said.
Lamenting over the killing of a youth, Manzoor Ahmed Magrey, recently by an Army ambush in Chogul, Handwara, General Hasnain said that it was a case of ?mistaken identity? and such incidents are unfortunate.
He said that his approach is completely humane and nothing more than that.
The chief of the army?s 15th Corps, Lt Gen Atta Hasnain after listening the complaints of the people assured them that Army will cooperate with them and no army personnel is allowed to torment any civilian.
People present there complained that the Army do not allow any body to cross the Rajwar, Handwara Road after 6 pm, to which the General took strong note and assured them nobody will be allowed to close the Rajwar Gate right from today (Sunday).
“We are meant to relieve the people from their sufferings and every effort will be made to address their grievances,” he said.
The General was all praise for the youths of the Valley.
“The Army has decided to befriend those youths who are unable to continue their higher studies due to financial problems. We are soon going to launch a cricket tournament over here on the pattern of IPL and talented youths from all districts of Valley will participate in it,” he said.
?The army has nothing to do with politics, but is concerned with maintaining peace and defending the integrity of the nation,? he said.
The general said that the army was at the forefront in coming to the assistance of the people in remote areas, and would continue its efforts to provide basic facilities.
He lauded the army?s performance over the past twenty years and said that its objectives had been achieved.
The corps commander advised army officers not to confine themselves to watching the militancy graph but also feel the heartbeat of the masses, which, he said, would be the real success of the army.
On this occasion the General distributed medals among orphans and promised them that the Army will help then financially as well.
Apart from the people from the media fraternity, those who were present on the occasion included the 7th Sector Brigadier and Superintendent of Police, Handwara, Chowdry Mohammad Aslam.