‘225 TERRORISTS KILLED IN J&K THIS YEAR’
There is a decline in radicalisation in Kashmir, says Lt Gen Ranbir Singh
KAPURTHALA: Pakistan is attempting to expand terrorism beyond Kashmir valley as there is a decline in radicalisation in the Valley in recent time said Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh on Saturday, on the sidelines of his visit to Sainik School, his alma mater.
“There are attempts by Pakistan to expand the arc of terrorism beyond Kashmir valley and we are aware of that. We are taking all measures to ensure that we are able to arrest this tread,” said Lt General, when asked about revival of insurgency in Punjab.
Army’s Northern Commander said there was a relative decline in radicalisation in Kashmir and all initiatives by the government and security forces were paying rich dividends.
He said as many as 225 terrorists have been neutralised in Kashmir so far this year with a couple of days still balanced. Neutralise word is used to signify that the militants were killed, captured or they surrendered, said an army officer.
Pakistan is frustrated and that they are pushing more terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir, also attempting to expand terrorism beyond the Valley, he said.
‘PAK SHOULD ACT, INSTEAD OF SPEAKING’
Responding to the statement of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Lt General said there was nothing new in it as India had already declared that it was an act of terror by Pakistan.
Khan, in a recent interview with The Washington Post, had admitted that the 2008 Mumbai attack as an act of terrorism, and said resolving the case was in Pakistan’s interest.
“Instead of saying, Pakistan should punish the terrorists and act strictly against the terror groups in their country,” he said.
He lauded the construction of Kartarpur corridor and said opening of the corridor was a welcome move for better diplomatic and political ties between the two countries.
Questioned if surgical strikes were hyped and politicised, he replied, “I would not like to comment because it is in the political domain and for the army, these were successful tactical operations and conveyed a very clear message to Pakistan that they should not create any kind of misadventure along the line of control.”
He refused to comment on the Agustawestland deal and Rafale deal controversy.