General officer Commanding (GoC) of army’s Srinagar based 15 Corps Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai Thursday said that security situation in Kashmir has shown a significant improvement over the past few years and the biggest challenge for the security agencies is to keep the situation intact and make peace everlasting.
He also said that militancy in Kashmir was in the last stage as only 80 militants were active at present while the number of foreign militants was between 25 to 40.
Addressing a press conference, the out-going GoC 15 Corps Lt Gen Ghai said that the situation is considerably good in the region. “Terrorism is being fueled from across the border and that’s very much clear,” he said.
Lt Gen Ghai is heading for a new posting and he will be succeeded by Lt General Prashant Shrivastava on October 15.
Replying to a query as to what was the biggest challenge in Kashmir, the army officer said that Kashmir has seen a good year so far like last year. “We need a few more good years to make peace a permanent feature here. I believe maintaining this peaceful atmosphere is the biggest challenge for the security forces,” the GoC 15 Corps said.
Lt Gen Ghai said that there hasn’t been any active recruitment of militants this year. “The numbers were down to a dozen last year and this year it is next to nil,” the GoC said.
He said as far as the terrorist-initiated incidents in Kashmir, they are between far and few. “Some incidents were reported where soft targets were made by even an untrained person using a pistol,” the army officer said.
On the total number of active militants at present, the GoC said: “There are only 80 militants active in the region at present which is less than previous years,” he said.
To a query whether any troop cut was possible at this juncture, the GoC said: “We are in a consolidation phase and no dilution of counter insurgency and counter terrorism grid is recommended. Both the grids need to be maintained. I definitely won’t advocate any dilution to these grids at this stage,” the GoC said.
Asked since the situation is peaceful in Kashmir, was there any possibility of troop-cut, he said at this point of time, the Valley was in a consolidation phase. “Both the grids—Counter insurgency and Counter terrorism needs to be maintained. I won’t recommend any dilution to any of these grids,” he said.
On whether launch pads were active across the LoC, the GoC said that as per the inputs received by the army, there were people present in the launch pads but “we didn’t see the level of infiltration in Kashmir what we were expecting. Perhaps, the militants may have changed the strategy to sneak from Pir Panchal. LoC is not the only infiltration route, there are other routes as well,” he said.
About foreign militants using modern technology, he said the army is also having the latest technology but there are always lessons to learn.
Asked any particular security scenario unfolding after October 8, the army officer said that there are no specific inputs about any challenging security situation emerging. “I am sure that the democratic process taking place after a long time will be for the good of the people. We keep on reviewing the situation from time to time. We keep a close watch on the various parameters and accordingly strategies are made,” he said.
About the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran in the wake of the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrullah, he said there were some protests within Kashmir. “The situation is being monitored properly,” he said.
To a query about convoy movements in Kashmir, the GoC said that convenience of the people is of the top most priority for the army. “Timings are reviewed to ensure people don’t feel any sort of inconvenience,” he said.
On narco-terrorism, he said not only the army but Police and the civil administration is concerned about it. “I had discussions about this issue with the former DGP RR Swain. I am sure that the there is a collective approach to deal with the narco-terrorism issue,” he said.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the GoC said that during the past a year-and-a-half, numerous attempts counter infiltration steps were taken while simultaneously prosecuting a very robust and successful counter terrorist campaign within Kashmir. “While doing this, we have been very conscious of our responsibility and nation building. So, we have maintained our connection with the Awam (people of Kashmir,” the army officer said. GoC Ghai is heading for a new assignment on October 15 and he will be succeeded by Lt General Prashan Srivastava.
He said that the region is seeing a new beginning as numerous significant events are taking place besides development. “This is because of the efforts put in by (Chinar corps) 15 Corps, police, CAPF, police and numerous other security agencies,” the GoC said.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, the GoC said that during the past a year-and-a-half, numerous attempts counter infiltration steps were taken while simultaneously prosecuting a very robust and successful counter terrorist campaign within Kashmir. “While doing this, we have been very conscious of our responsibility and nation building. So we have maintained our connection with the Awam (people of Kashmir,” the army officer said. “As I have been leading one of the most elite commands of the army for the past 16 months, the situation in Kashmir is stable and peaceful at present.”
He said that the region is seeing a new beginning as numerous significant events are taking place besides development. “This is because of the efforts put in by (Chinar corps) 15 Corps, police, CAPF, and other security agencies,” the GoC said—(KNO)
