‘170-175 militants still active in Kashmir'
Says collective responsibility of society to prevent killing of cops, soldiers on leave; also to stop young boys from treading wrong path; troops alert on a LoC to foil infiltration bids
Kupwara, Mar 14: Stating that the Kashmir's Kupwara district has borne the brunt of violence over the past many decades, General officer Commanding (GoC) of Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lieutenant General D P Pandey Monday said that as of now and especially for the past few years, the district is militancy free and most peaceful area of the Valley.
He said that there is an atmosphere of peace prevailing in entire Kashmir and the security grid is fully prepared to deal with any situation. “Operations are being carried out wherever we get inputs of militants hiding, ” he said, adding that “but it was the collective responsibility of the society to prevent killings of security forces personnel who come to their homes on leave and also to stop youth from treading the wrong path.”
He however, said that He further said that at least 170-175 militants are still active in Kashmir while militancy have also registered a significant decline from the last two years.
“As compared to the last two years, the active militant rate has come more down while as 170-175 militants are active in Kashmir, ” he said in reply to a query whether militancy is decreasing in Kashmir and how many are still active.
“On the LoC, we are alert to foil all possible infiltration bids,” he said. He said that local militant recruitment was much less this year compared to previous years.
