Srinagar: Stating that 2014 will be a big challenge for security in Kashmir, Army Saturday claimed that the militancy related incidents have increased in valley this year with the killing of 11 ultras while as 13 have been arrested.
According to the KNS correspondent, addressing a press conference Lt. General Gurmeet Singh, GoC 15 Corps stated that during the starting 50 days of the year 2014, the militancy related incidents have increased and that most of the militants belonged to the militant outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He stated further that out of 11 militants killed this year by the security forces, belonged to Hizb, LeT and Jaish-e-Mohamad. He said further that during this period more than 13 militants have been arrested that proves that the violence has increased this year in valley.
He added further that the Army is providing full space to the local militants to surrender and that army only fires in retaliation. Gen. Singh stated that the locals who have joined the militant ranks are being misled and that army provides them the opportunity to surrender at the earliest.
Gen Singh added that during the operations with the militants, the army prioritizes that there must be no collateral damage and that no human rights violation should take place.
When asked that why a local militant from Char-e-Sharif was not given a chance to surrender, Gen, Singh stated that the militant namely Saif Ahmad fired severely on forces and during the retaliatory firing, he was killed. The 15th Corps commander stated further that the killed militant was active during the past and that earlier he was with the Jaish outfit and then had joined Hizb. However General Singh lauded the statement of slain militant’s brother during his funeral procession wherein he had advised the youth to stay away from stone pelting.
He appreciated that coordination between army and the Jammu and Kashmir police. Gen Singh also lauded peoples cooperation with the army saying that people now repose trust and confidence and are supporting the army. (KNS)