A top Indian Army official on Tuesday said, “there are no indications of an increase in militant recruitment during the unilateral ceasefire by the Centre in Kashmir, but Pakistan is still trying to push ultras from across the LoC into the valley”,
To the Government of India’s (GoI) announcement of non-initiation of combat operations (NICO) during Ramzan, General Officer Commanding (GoC) of the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, Lieutenant General A K Bhatt said, some peace has been achieved in the valley, and that people of Kashmir have ‘responded well’.
Asked about any increase in militant recruitment since the unilateral ceasefire was announced by GoI at the beginning of the holy month of Ramzan, the Corps commander Greater Kashmir reported, “There are no indications as such at the moment and we hope it will come down”.
“Since the ceasefire, some peace has been achieved and the public has responded well to it. We will be happy if there is no civil casualty in these 30 days of Ramzan,” he said.
The GoC said any decision regarding extension of ceasefire will have to be taken by the government but the Army was ready to implement any such decision.
On spike in weapons snatching incidents in the valley, the Corps commander said it was the “frustration of the militants.”
“This is their frustration. Police have foiled many such attempts recently and the police are responding to it very effectively,” he said.
