Violence in Valley reduced after Aug 5 move: Army

BHADERWAH/JAMMU: Nearly 500 terrorists are waiting in various training camps along the Line of Control in Pak-occupied Kashmir, looking for opportunities to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir, Northern command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said on Friday.

He also said that violence in the Kashmir valley has gone down since the abrogation of the Article 370 on August 5.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the ‘Sangam Youth Festival’ at University Campus, Bhaderwah, Lt Gen Singh said he had high hopes from the valley’s youngsters.

“The situation in valley is under control. Ever since the abrogation of article 370 on August 5, there has been significant improvement in all the violence parameters in Kashmir,” Lt Gen Singh told reporters here.

“There has been reduction in terrorist initiated incidents. There has been reduction in stone pelting incidents. There has also been reduction in the protests that were carried out by the people or the large number of crowds coming out,” he added.

But the situation remains fragile, because Pakistan continues with its designs to push in infiltrators so that they can keep the region in a constant state of turmoil, the Army commander said. “As far as militants operating within Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, 200 to 300 terrorists, who have come here, joined militants here,” he added.

“Like this, nearly 500 terrorists are staged in terrorists’ training camps in PoK and are ready to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir,” said Lt Gen Singh.

He said these figures keep changing as per their training schedule.

“Whatever be the number, we are capable to stop and eliminate them to ensure peace and normalcy in this region,” he added. The Army commander said it is always their endeavour to ensure peace and normalcy in J&K.

“But Pakistan keeps trying to do some mischief to disturb the peace here. Even today terror infrastructure is being run within Pakistan (by its forces and agencies). These include training as launching pad for terrorists to infiltrate into the country,” he added.

He said deploying drones to arm terrorists is a new modus operandi of Pakistan, said Lt General Singh in reply to a question over the issue of dropping arms through drones in Punjab by Pakistan.

“But I want to ensure you that Indian Army is capable and determined to foil Pakistan’s any unholy design. Their designs will not be allowed to succeed,” he said.

“We are prepared to foil their designs,” he added.

Replying to a question, he said there was no change in the role of the UN along the Line of Control.

Speaking about the festival, he said: “This is very humble contribution from the Army to provide a platform to the youth in Bhaderwah for nurturing their talent.” “They are the future not only of Jammu and Kashmir but the nation,” he added.

Nearly 500 terrorists are waiting in various training camps along the Line of Control (LoC) in Pak-occupied Kashmir, looking for opportunities to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir. RANBIR SINGH, Northern Command chief