He was addressing mediapersons at the battalion headquarters of 34 Rashtriya Rifles in Beeru-Budgam in central Kashmir.

The 34 RR personnel were involved in the 36-hour-long gunfight with militants at Ringiwalla Khal near Gulmarg a few days ago. In the exchange of fire, nine militants and two army officers were killed. Gen Kapoor paid rich tributes to the army officers who laid down their lives. “They laid down their lives to prevent militants from entering into Kashmir. They sacrificed their lives for the return of peace and normalcy to Valley,” he said.

Fierce gunfight
About the 36-hour gunfight, Gen Kapoor said it was the fiercest of the gunfights during in the last four-five years. “Yesterday also the militants made an attempt to infiltrate into Kashmir and the vigilant soldiers shot dead three militants,” he said.

The army chief added that such incidents indicated that the militants were attempting to infiltrate into Kashmir and carry on terrorist activities. “The soldiers are ready for the challenge and are thwarting the attempts of infiltration in Kashmir.

The militants are being killed and not allowed to move into Kashmir,” he asserted. Gen Kapoor said time was not ripe for troop reduction in Kashmir. It can be given a thought only after violence in Kashmir is taken care of fully and peace and normalcy returns to the Valley. Kapoor said the army had been entrusted with the task of restoring peace in the state and the force would complete the task to the best of its abilities.