Gen: Valley back to normal soon

Arun Joshi

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, June 27

The worsening spectre of violence in Kashmir notwithstanding, the Army Chief is optimistic that things would soon fall in place in the Valley.

“I have no doubt whatsoever that things would improve soon and people would get to experience normal life again. They are our people, we know what is hurting them and how to swab their wounds inflicted by violence,” Chief of Army Staff Gen Bipin Rawat said.

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Along with its bullet-for-bullet approach, the Army is also actively engaging itself in the “pro-people” process of healing wounds and reaching out, especially to the youths. “There would be relentless operations against terrorists. Their lifespan would be cut short so others do not follow them, and parents too are conscious of the dangers ahead for their children if they join militancy. The idea also is to eliminate the fear of terror among the masses,” he said.

Gen Rawat is clear that the Army’s primary task in Kashmir is to bring down infiltration to the zero, or near close, level. Since “infiltration is sustaining militancy, this supply line needs to be cut”.

More than the sneaking in of militants through the Line of Control, infiltration is seen as a multi-purpose psychological tool with Pakistan. It sends a message that Islamabad is behind Kashmiris and would not mind sacrificing its own nationals. This also encourages and reassures the militancy-inclined youth in Kashmir that they are not alone in this “fight”.