North Kashmir youths less prone to joining militancy: Lt Gen Bhatt

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, July 14

Amid an increase in the number of youth joining militancy, the seniormost Army officer in the Valley on Saturday said the tendency of north Kashmir youth to join militancy was far lesser than in youth of south Kashmir.

General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lt Gen AK Bhatt also appealed to the people to advise their children not to take the violent path.

“There are a few youth in north Kashmir as compared to south Kashmir (joining militant ranks),” Lt General Bhatt told reporters in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on the sidelines of a function on Saturday. “I appeal to the public to persuade the youth not to stray and not pick up gun and help us make Kashmir happier,” Lt General Bhatt said.

The security apparatus in Kashmir has been worried over the growing trend among youth to join militant ranks. Security sources in Kashmir say that nearly 90 youths have joined militant ranks this year and over 63 per cent of them are from the four districts of south Kashmir — Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian, which have remained on the edge since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in July 2016.

Of the nearly 90 youths who joined militant ranks this year, nearly a dozen have been killed and over six have been arrested or have surrendered.

Last year, 126 Kashmiri youth joined militant ranks in the Valley, which was the highest in a decade.

‘Army asked to show maximum restraint’

General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lt Gen AK Bhatt said the Army had been asked to show maximum restraint during stone-throwing. “We never fire. If there is stone pelting, we try to avoid the incident. When there is danger to life and property or danger to life of any soldier, then we fire. We appeal to the public, this is your Army, do not pelt stones. Wherever we are carrying out an operation, you should avoid going there,” Lt General Bhatt said. “The Army has been asked to show maximum restraint.” On the Anantnag attack which left two CRPF men dead, the GOC said: “Terrorist organisations will try to attack where the security forces are deployed. We will continue to destroy the terrorists.”