Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh confirmed on Saturday that so far this year the security forces have managed to neutralise more than 225 militants in the valley. He explained that the efforts and initiatives of the Government of India, as well as security forces, were one of the primary reasons for the drop in the number of youth joining militancy.
“We have been able to neutralise a large number of terrorists,” Singh told reporters here on the sidelines of his visit to Sainik School, his alma mater in Kapurthala city of Punjab. “As on date, we have been neutralised more than 225 terrorists. However, a couple of days of this year are still balanced [left].”
Singh furthered that the local youths have been coming forward and sharing information about terrorists with the Indian army, which he said was a “good sign” as this would result in a decline in militancy.
“That is a very positive sign, which shows a decline of militancy. It shows frustration on the part of Pakistan to push more and more terrorists into J&K. But our resolve is clear that as long as terrorists are moving around they shall not be provided space to carry out activities at their will. They will be acted against and neutralised,” he
said.
“We will ensure that peace and stability are maintained in J&K,” he added. Singh added that the Army would not allow any further radicalisation of local youth in the state.
The commander accused Pakistan of trying to spread terrorism in India beyond Kashmir. Singh said those militants who would dare to cross the LoC (Line of Control), “will face death”.
He confirmed that the terror-related incidents so far this year has been higher than previous years and he attributed the rise to the increased attacks mounted by terrorists from Pakistan with the support of local cadres in the Kashmir Valley. He said the Army has always given a befitting response to Pakistan’s snipers and the force had kept up the pressure on the adversary along the LoC. He had previously also said that the army is fully
prepared to thwart Pakistan’s misadventures.
While praising the government’s initiative to curb terrorism in the valley he further lauded them for their efforts to build the Kartarpur corridor, which will connect Dera Baba Nanak in India’s Gurdaspur district with Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan.
