Srinagar (NVI): A delegation of foreign envoys, on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir, were today briefed by top officials of the Army and police about Pakistan’s continued efforts to cause violence and bloodshed in the Union Territory through terrorism and radicalisation.
While the Army officials briefed the 24 envoys about how Pakistan keeps making efforts to push terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir, the police officials told them about counter-radicalisation and welfare activities being carried out by the UT administration.
The delegation is on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir for first-hand assessment of the situation in the UT after revocation of Article 370 in August 2019.
The focus of Army briefing was on the pattern of infiltration from across the Line of Control and International Border and Pakistan’s role in it, sources said. Details were provided about the Pakistani terrorists killed during and after infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir.
The Army officials also told the visiting delegation about how Pakistan had dug up cross-border tunnels for infiltration of terrorists and how drones were being used to drop arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir for use by terrorists.
Details were provided about the terror camps being run in Pakistan by the establishment there and Pakistan’s role in luring Kashmiri youth to terrorism, including through social media, was also flagged. Weapons seized from the terrorists were shown as evidence of Pakistan’s support to terrorism.
It was also pointed out that the Indian Army has been making efforts to make the Kashmiri youth, who have been lured into terrorism, to surrender.
Particularly talking about the period after revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, the delegation was informed that there has been no loss of life in action by security forces and incidents of stone-pelting had witnessed a sharp decline, the sources said.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Anantnag) Sandeep Chaudhary, during his briefing, told the delegation about community engagements, counter-radicalisation programmes, counselling programmes, initiatives of the police to promote sports and community bond schemes for potential terrorist recruits.
The envoys reached here yesterday morning, after which they interacted with members of the District Development Councils (DDCs) elected in the first-ever elections two months back. They also visited the Hazratbal mosque, one of the most revered shrines of Kashmir, where they were briefed about its history and importance.
