Terror as strategic tool won’t fructify: Bhatt
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Feb 9: Newly appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Srinagar based 15 Corps Lt Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon today declared that mission to restore total peace in Kashmir will continue with vigour and intensity while outgoing GOC Lt Gen AK Bhatt said employment of terror as a `strategic tool’ by the enemy will never fructify.
Soon after taking over charge of 16 Corps, Lt Gen Dhillon, who has an incisive understanding of Jammu and Kashmir having served in the State for five tenures since 1988, said in a tweet that mission to restore total peace in the Valley will continue with same vigour, intensity and people friendly approach.
Lt Gen Dhillon was Sector Commander of Rashtriya Rifles and Brigadier General Staff (BGS) of the Chinar Corps in Srinagar earlier.
Lt Gen AK Bhatt, who has moved to New Delhi as Military Secretary at Army Headquarters, said in a tweet that employment of terror as a ‘strategic tool’ by the enemy (a reference towards Pakistan) will never fructify.
“I thank people of Kashmir for their support in our efforts to bring peace in the Valley, We must continue to engage youth of Kashmir to prevent them from getting misguided,” Lt Gen Bhatt, whose tenure saw many successful operations in the Valley in which highest number of militants were killed in a year over a decade, said. As many as 259 militants were killed and other 64 locals arrested or made to surrender.
Earlier in the day, Lt General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon took over as 48th Corps Commander of Srinagar based 15 Corps, from Lt Gen AK Bhatt who moved out to Military headquarters New Delhi.
Lt Gen Dhillon was commissioned in December 1983 and has had an illustrious military career spanning 35 years during which he has held varied prestigious command, staff and instructional appointments.
A Graduate of Defence Service Staff College, Wellington and National Defence College, Delhi, Lt General Dhillon is credited with important appointments at Army Headquarters and instructional appointments at Infantry School, Mhow and Indian Army Training Team abroad.
Before taking over as the Chinar Corps Commander, the General Officer was tenanting the prestigious appointment of Director General Perspective Planning. On assuming the charge, Lt Gen Dhillon conveyed his greetings and best wishes to the people of Kashmir and the entire Chinar Corps.
Earlier, a befitting farewell was given to Lt Gen Bhatt who has moved to New Delhi as Military Secretary (MS) at Army Headquarters.
“The achievement of Lt Gen Bhatt like highest number of killings of the militants in a year, besides arrests and surrenders, assumed greater significance in view of imposition of Non-Initiation of Combat Operations during holy month of Ramzan, prolonged period of Amarnath Yatra for 60 days and peaceful conduct of Local Urban Bodies and Panchayat elections. Along the Line of Control, the strategy of swift and robust punitive response to Pakistan’s ceasefire violations and other provocations proved to be effective”, a statement issued by the Defence spokesman said.
The spokesman said: “Engagement with people, especially the youth remained a key focus area for General Bhatt. He had the well being of the Awaam close to his heart and gave impetus to improving the education infrastructure, coaching facilities, skill development, sports, youth and women empowerment”.
In his farewell message, Lt Gen Bhatt complimented all ranks of Chinar Corps for their dedication and thanked JKP, CRPF, BSF and other security forces, civil administration and the people for their support.
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