Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 6: General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps, Lt General A K Bhatt today said that over 250 militants are on launch pads ready to infiltrate but Army is on alert to foil their designs.
Speaking at closing ceremony of 15 day-long Public Mela at Keran in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the GOC said that over 250 militants were waiting on the launch pads ready to infiltrate into this side of Line of Control. He, however, said that Army is ready to counter them and foil their designs.
Click here to watch video
“Around 300 militants are active in the Valley and more than 250 militants are ready to infiltrate into this side of LoC but our soldiers are ready to foil their attempts,” the GOC said.
Lt General Bhat said that there will be more infiltration attempts in the winter months. “but our forces are vigilant to foil all these attempts.”
The GOC said that the people of Keran have been fighting for the country neck and neck with Army since 1947. “I am very happy to be here in Keran village because I am among the people here who are our friends. They have been neck and neck with us since 1947 for the defence of the country”, he said.
Lt Gen Bhat said that army will recruit more youth into the force from the areas near the LoC. “The main reason for celebrating the mela here is to thank the youth of this area, the people of this area for standing for us and giving us cooperation and we hope it will continue. Our association with you will continue like this. We will do everything possible for this area and we want to recruit more and more youth from this area”, he said.
The GOC said that Army will wipe out militancy from Kashmir. “Our effort will be that terrorists don’t enter into our nation through this side. For this, we have full support of the village and people living here. And we will finish terrorism from entire Kashmir”, he said.
Lt Gen Bhatt said that Army will make its effort for providing good employment opportunities for the people of the area. “This year has been challenge for us and that is why we are telling people to remain with us, with the developing India. Our effort will be that the youth of this place will get good employment and job opportunities”, he said.
The GOC said that people of South Kashmir should learn lesson from people in north Kashmir “who haven’t sheltered any militant outfit.”
When asked about the upcoming elections, Lt General Bhatt said: “With the help of police and CRPF, our soldiers are working round the clock to make the elections successful.”
Follow our WhatsApp channel
