Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 26: Asserting that Pakistan has “direct role” in fuelling terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Army today warned of more infiltration attempts along the Line of Control (LoC) in the coming weeks in view of the volatile situation in the Valley.
“Pakistan is interfering in Kashmir and has direct role in what we call as proxy war in Kashmir and there is absolutely no doubt in it,” General Officer Commanding in Chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command, Lt Gen D S Hooda told reporters in Drass, Kargil after paying tributes to the martyrs, on the occasion of 17th `Kargil Vijay Diwas’ celebrations.
“We have seen it everywhere. Along the borders, we have seen it in the matter in which the support is given to infiltrating groups. We have seen how ceasefire violations have been used as a support to the people infiltrating into this side,” Lt Gen Hooda said while replying to a question about Pakistan’s role in current unrest and terrorism in Kashmir.
“In short, if there is an internal disturbance here, they will directly take advantage of it. You have heard the statements of Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba, trying to say that they are supporting whatever is happening in Kashmir,” the Northern Command chief said.
He said “the support (from Pakistan) is not only moral but it is absolute physical and there is no doubt about it”.
He also expressed concern over the increasing radicalization of youth in Kashmir valley.
“We have seen there is an increase in radicalization mostly driven by social media and people are quite active on it,” he said, adding everyone at all levels has to put their heads together to reduce this trend.
The Army official warned of more infiltration bids in the coming weeks along the LoC.
Hooda said, “We are seeing regular attempts to infiltrate groups into this side.”
“We have foiled some infiltration bids. One group which had infiltrated two or three days back and we have neutralized four terrorists inside the hinterland. We are seeing repeated attempts. We recently lost two soldiers during this infiltration bids.
“I don’t see a slowdown in this (level of infiltration). During this internal disturbance, they will try and push in more and more infiltrators and we are well prepared to deal with it,” he said.
Replying to a question on current unrest in the Valley, Lt Gen Hooda said as far as Army is concerned, it was not in the forefront to deal with the situation.
“The CRPF and police were dealing with it. But we are seeing it happening and para-military and police using utmost restraint. That is what they are doing to control the crowd, which was looting police stations, targeting police posts and other installations. I can’t say there is no restraint. They are exercising restraint and maintaining Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). There are outstanding police officers dealing with the situation,’’ he said.
Asserting that there was anger amongst the youth, he said it has to be seen can the situation be tackled in a manner in which the people were not injured. The Home Minister (Rajnath Singh) has already said that the Government will explore the alternatives to pellet guns.
“See, there is requirement of non-lethal weaponry. They caused some casualties but still they are better form of weaponry than using fire arms. If much better pellet guns are available, we will soon find. If there is some better way of crowd control, it can be explored,’’ he told a questioner.
Replying to a question on situation along Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China, Lt Gen Hooda said the LAC with China is peace and calm.
“The transgressions on the LAC do take place in 5-6 pockets but their number was on decline. During the past two years after Chumar, there has been no major transgression along China LAC in Ladakh,’’ the Army Commander said, adding there was strong mechanism in place between India and China for engagement of the two sides. One more Border Meeting Point has been opened between the two sides recently.
On deployment of tanks in Ladakh sector, Lt Gen Hooda said: “Army has the responsibility to secure borders. The deployment is based on assessment’’.
Assuring the nation that Kargil like situation will not be repeated anywhere in the country, the Northern Command chief said the Kargil happened and the Army too was surprised.
“The force level was less then. Today our level is very high and in the state of readiness. We are much much prepared and Kargil like situation will not be repeated anywhere,’’ he declared.
To a question, he said Army has no reports that PLA troops of China were operating along with Pakistan in PoK. “There is no direct intelligence to this effect,’’ he added.
On only one youth getting selected from Kargil in Army recruitment, Lt Gen Hooda said the Army would ensure that all districts and areas are covered in future recruitments.
“We will increase representation of Kargil in the Army. We will even give training to the Kargil youth, if required. Kargil people had played excellent role during 1999 war and the Army hasn’t forgotten that,’’ he said.
Earlier, Lt Gen Hooda paid homage to the soldiers, who laid down their lives during the Kargil war in 1999, at the war memorial in Drass sector.
Lt Gen Hooda paid homage to the martyrs of ‘Operation Vijay’ on the 17th Kargil Vijay Diwas at the historic War Memorial in Drass today.
Celebrations to commemorate the victory of Indian troops over Pakistani intruders in the 1999 war, started with great fervour and enthusiasm under the aegis of Leh Corps on July 21.
Lt Gen Hooda was accompanied by General Officer Commanding of Ladakh-based Fire and Fury Corps Lt Gen S K Patyal. He also interacted with the ‘Veer Naaris’ (wives of the slain soldiers), awardees and relatives.
Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Hooda paid glowing tributes to the sacrifices and expressed his gratitude to the slain soldiers, their next of kins and wives.
A memorial service which included prayers by religious teachers and lighting of lamps was organized at the War memorial last evening.
The week long celebrations, ending today, included many events involving the local citizens, especially the youth and children from Drass and Kargil regions.
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