NVI Special Correspondent
Srinagar, Sep 03 (NVI): General officer Commanding (GoC) of army’s Srinagar based 15 Corps Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai today said that the past few years have been largely peaceful in Kashmir and there is a need for some more good years to make peace permanent in the Valley. He said to keep the peace intact and make it a permanent was the biggest challenge for security forces.
Addressing the press conference at army’s 15 Corps headquarters here, t GoC Ghai said that since past many years especially since 2022, Kashmir has seen some good years vis a vis peace. “We need some more good years to keep the peace intact,” the GoC said.
Replying to a query what was the biggest challenge for the army, the GoC, who is heading for a new assignment after October 15, said: “The year 2022, 2023 and 2024 have been peaceful. We need some more good years to make the peace intact in the region. I believe making peace a permanent feature is the biggest challenge for the security forces in Kashmir.”
On the active militants in Kashmir, he said the number is 80 and the figure is lowest since past many years. “Terrorism is being fuelled from across the border and that’s very much clear,” he said. “Last year, we had a dozen local militant recruitment and this year it is close to nil.” However, the army officer said that there were some atrocities committed by the militants that include soft target attacks where even an untrain person uses pistol to target an innocent.
Asked since 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.
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 connect 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. (News Vibes of India).
