Top focus to stop fresh recruitment, encourage youth to shun militancy: Indian Army

General-Officer-Commanding (GOC) of Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey said that every possible support will be provided to the youth, who wish to surrender and lead a normal life in the valley.

“To control the cycle of violence in south and central Kashmir, I think a better connect between security forces and civilians is required. We have planned two ways to achieve peace in the valley. The first step is to stop recruitment into militant ranks… and the second step is to dismantle the Over Ground Workers (OGWs) network which uses social media to radicalize and recruit youth,” Lt Gen Pandey flanked by Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir Vijay Kumar, told reporters during a press conference here on Friday.

The Army general also appealed to the general public to help security forces to prevent the youth from joining militant ranks. “Since I took over as GOC of 15 Corps, I have seen many parents coming to us and seeking help. Some parents even request us to keep their children in jails so that they don’t indulge in illegal activities,” he said.

“I urge people to help civil administration and security forces so that the cycle of recruitment ends and Kashmir becomes peaceful,” he said.

Lt Gen Pandey also appealed to the local youth, who have joined militancy, to shun the path of violence and join mainstream.

“We will provide every possible support and help to the youth who are willing to leave militancy and join the mainstream,” he added.

Congratulating security forces for the operations during the last 24 hours that left seven militants dead in south Kashmir, he said maximum restraint was exercised when militants entered a mosque. “Some of our jawans were injured because security forces exercised maximum restraint… Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vijay Kumar and GOC Victor force were at the spot, personally monitoring the operation,” he added.