Radicalised youths will soon realise guns not a solution: Army chief

A day before top army commanders met in the national capital to review the "management of the extant security dynamics", army chief General Bipin Rawat said the radicalised youths of Kashmir Valley would soon realise that gun was not the solution to their problems.

"There is hope that the situation in Kashmir will improve... it's not gone wrong. There are some youths in Kashmir who have strayed and have been radicalised. They think they can achieve their goal through guns. But the time is not far when even they will be convinced that neither the forces nor the terrorists will be able to achieve their goal. We have to together find a way for peace and we will be successful in that," Rawat said here at the 70th foundation day of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry regiment.

The army chief said peace was the only way to improve the situation in Kashmir Valley that has been witnessing militancy for about three decades now.

To achieve that, the concept of "Kashmiryat" had to be brought back.

"The Unity in Diversity was the real essence of Kashmiriyat and it is important to inform the youth about it," he said.

The army chief's message comes a day before the Army Commander's Conference where senior commanders deliberate on specific issues related to the army formations and on the functioning of the army as a whole.

Besides debating on the management of extant security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir and the Northeast, other issues that are to be discussed at the biannual conference include better utilisation of the limited budget available with the army and improving the infrastructure along the northern borders.

"Important issues that are likely to be discussed are the management of the extant security dynamics, mitigation of future security threats and enhancement of combat edge over potential adversaries," a spokesperson of the army said in a statement.

Other issues to be debated are infrastructure development along the northern borders, review of strategic railway lines, optimisation of limited budget to make up of the critical deficiency in ammunition, Border Road Organisation projects and other issues related to the welfare of troops.