Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 3: Army today said that there was less militant violence last year in Kashmir as the security forces neutralized a large number of militants during the year.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps, Lt General Subrata Saha, said that in 2014 over all 140 militants were neutralized. “Out of these 100 were eliminated and 40 were apprehended. In 2013, 62 and in 2012, 69 terrorists were killed”, he added.
The GOC while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a function at Baba Reshi Shrine in Tangmarg said that since the number of militants neutralized last year was high so the militant violence was also lesser.
Lt General Saha said that Army’s effort will be to minimize the militant initiated incidents in future. “Our effort will be to secure the environment as we did in the past and our effort will be to minimize the terrorist initiated incidents”, he added.
On recent blast in a boat in Indian waters in Mumbai, the GOC said that irrespective of the nature of threat Army will tackle it. “Irrespective of the threat we have to secure the environment and we will do it”, he added.
On Chattergam killing of two youth in Army firing in district Budgam in November last year, General Saha said that they have sent the file about court martial to legal department for legal opinion.
Meanwhile, under Sadbavna operation Army provided a 20 KVA generator to the Baba Reshi Shrine today. Army also distributed blankets, utility items, Sports kits and uniforms to the school children of nearby villages were also distributed, a defence spokesperson said.
Baba Reshi Shrine also called the Baba Payam-ud-Din Ziarat near Tangmarg is a symbol of the rich heritage and traditions of Kashmir and one of the most revered Ziarats in the Valley. The Shrine is visited by lakhs of devotees across faiths.
The spokesperson said: “Due to an overload on the existing electricity infrastructure, especially during the winter months, devotees visiting the Shrine and staff members faced considerable inconvenience. The Shrine authorities had approached the local Army Formation with a request for installation of a 20 KVA Generator at the Shrine. Accordingly, a 20 KVA generator was provisioned under operation Sadbhavna and dedicated to the Shrine.”
The 20 KVA Generator set was inaugurated by Master Tanveer Ahmad lone of Chunti Pathri village along with GOC 15 Corps.
“On the occasion, the GOC offered prayers and placed a holy Chaddar at the Shrine. He also distributed blankets/utility items to the very needy and gifted school uniforms and sports kits to children from local schools. During the interaction with the Board Members he was appreciative of their role in upholding the culture and traditions of the Valley and assured them of the Army’s commitment towards ensuring peace and security in the region. The local residents and the Shrine Board Members were appreciative of the efforts of the Army,” the spokesperson added.
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