Srinagar, Jan 17: National Conference vice president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that killing militants shouldn’t be treated as a cause for celebration.
Reacting to General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, Lt Gen Ranbir Singh’s statement, describing 2018 as a ‘remarkable year’, Omar said: “I beg to differ, a great year would be one in which no young man would join militancy, no terrorists would be killed & no security personnel would lose their lives in encounters. The compulsion of killing militants/terrorists shouldn’t be treated as a cause for celebration (sic).”
Reacting to tweet by a TV channel, Omar reiterated that “a great year would be a year in which security personnel don’t lose their lives in encounters but that part doesn’t suit your narrative & when have you guys ever been honest to the cause of journalism.”
Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said that “over 250 militants”, 54 others were arrested and four others surrendered last year.
“The year 2018 has been a remarkable year for armed forces on the security front. As per the record of last ten years, army along with other forces have neutralized many militants. Many militants have surrendered under pressure and many others were arrested alive,” said top army commander while talking to the reporters after inaugurating a Bridge, spanning over Suran River which connects Kalai area to Chandak area in Poonch district.
“More than 250 militants were killed, 54 others arrested and four others have surrendered,” he said, adding, “This speaks about the strength of our security establishment,” the officer said.