Army Commander briefs J&K Guv about security situation

Amid a surge in violence in Kashmir last year, Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh on Tuesday briefed Governor Satya Pal Malik on Tuesday about the security situation in the state.

General Singh briefed the Governor about the prevailing security situation along the forward areas and the hinterland, operational preparedness of the army for anti-militant activities and measures being taken for ensuring safety and security of people living along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), said a Raj Bhavan spokesman.

“Lauding the professionalism of the army, the Governor emphasised on sharp vigil along the LoC and the IB and maintenance of high ethical standards during discharge of duties,” he said.

Last year was the bloodiest year in more than a decade in Kashmir as 250 militants, 144 civilians and 86 forces personnel were killed.

However, a senior police officer said the fact that 250 militants were still active by December pointed to the success of infiltration attempts and "silent" recruitment of local boys into militancy.

What added to the already volatile atmosphere in 2018 was the killing of 144 civilians during the year, 60 of whom were shot dead by security forces while they tried to save the militants engaged in encounters.

Despite ample warnings and appeals by the top security officials to youth asking them not to inch closer to encounter spots, youth continued to rush towards the gunfight sites to disrupt the operations in a bid to save the trapped militants.