Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 15: General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 15 Corps, Lt General JS Sandhu, today said that the situation in Kashmir is under control and the operations against the militants to target them would continue.
The GOC told reporters on the sidelines of Pass out Parade of new recruits at JKLI Centre in Rangreth in the outskirts of Srinagar: “Situation is under control. The Army is not too worried about the situation becoming too bad or alarming. The situation will remain under control.”
Lt Gen Sandhu said though the militant attack on Amarnath pilgrims, that left seven dead and 19 others wounded in Anantnag , is a reversal, but the operation against the militants will continue. “The Amarnath Yatra attack has been one reversal but we will continue our operations. We will continue improving the situation. We will be targeting militants in the Valley,” he added.
The GOC said that intelligence agency reports suggested that there are 100 to 120 militants in the Valley.
The Army Commander said action would be taken against troops who would be found working unprofessionally. “We have still no information about the soldier Zahoor Ahmad Thokar who decamped with a weapon and magazines from Baramulla to have joined any militant group.”
Lt Gen Sandhu said there was still no confirmation that Thokar has joined any militant outfit. “We are tracking Thokar, , who went missing with his service weapon and magazine on July 6 from Baramulla,” he added.
The GOC said the situation is under control and security forces will work to further improve it. The youth of the Kashmir valley are ready to serve the nation as was evident from the response to recruitment rally. “Against just 200 posts, there were more than 5,000 youths who wanted to serve the nation,” he said.
Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regimental Centre today, showcased its latest batch of 251 passing out recruits from the State of J&K. They completed one year of strenuous training and the Passing Out Parade, depicting graduation of a Recruit and his transformation into a young soldier, was reviewed by Lt Gen JS Sandhu, GOC Chinar Corps and was attended by over 1500 parents/ relatives of the young soldiers from the State of J&K along with a number of civil and military dignitaries.
The dauntless young soldiers of the Regiment hailing from all regions and religions of the State of J&K, marching in precise unison with a singular aim of devoting their lives in service of their nation, singing their Regimental song “Balidanam Veer Lakshnam”, inspired one and all as their voice echoed in the Kashmir Valley. Their salute to the Tri-Colour with the National Anthem playing inspired a patriotic ardour among all present.
GOC Chinar Corps congratulated the young soldiers for their immaculate Parade and impressed upon selfless service towards the Nation. He praised their contribution towards encouraging more and more youth from J&K to come forward to join the security forces & also highlighted the vital role played by their parents in motivating their wards to join this noble profession.
The young soldiers who distinguished themselves in varied facets of training were also felicitated by Lt Gen JS Sandhu. Recruit Rohit Singh of Jammu district received the Sher-e-Kashmir Sword of Honour and Triveni Singh Medal for being adjudged ‘Over all Best Rect’ and Recruit Randheer Singh of Kathua district bagged the Chewang Rinchen Medal for being “Best in Firing”.
In the end, parents and relatives pipped the soldiers ready to join their battalions and to tread the immortal path of glory, living up to the best traditions of the Army. As a mark of respect, gratitude and recognition of contribution made by the parents of these young soldiers, they were also presented with the Gaurav Padaks instituted by the Army.
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