Army dispels militancy fears in Chenab region

Ranjit Thakur

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Bhaderwah, September 5

Debunking claims that there was a shift towards militancy in the Chenab region, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Delta Force Maj Gen Rajiv Nanda on Wednesday said the recent incidents of local youths joining militant groups were “isolated cases”.

Two local youths, including an MBA from the Ghat area of Doda, recently joined militancy.

“I agree that these incidents have happened, but these are isolated incidents. Do not compare them with militancy in Kashmir or south Kashmir. A youth who joined militancy in Sazan village of Doda on July 1 was killed in an encounter on July 25. There is also a report of another youth joining militancy, but I don’t think there a shift towards militancy in the Chenab region,” Major General Nanda said on the sidelines of Sangam Youth Festival at Bhaderwah on Wednesday.

“Both the youths had been living away from their villages and district for a long time. We are trying to find out how they were motivated to join militancy. However, these are isolated incidents,” the GOC said.

“I assure you that the militancy will never revive in the Chenab region again. If the youth ,who recently joined militancy, wants to return to the mainstream, we can help him,” he added. The GOC was the chief guest at Sangam Youth Festival organised by the Army in collaboration with the University of Jammu, Bhaderwah campus.