‘Don't be proxy for Pak, join mainstream’

Army urges local militants for introspection

SRINAGAR: A day after achieving major success killing six terrorists in an encounter in Hajin area of Kashmir, the Army again put forth the alternative policy it has been implying in Valley, asking the terrorists to introspect if they are being a proxy for Pakistan.
The forces appealed the local terrorists to shun the path of violence and once again join the mainstream, while also requested the parents of these youth to appeal to their children to surrender, much on the lines of Majid Khan- the nine-day old footballer-turned militant who had surrendered on Friday.
In a joint press conference held at at headquarters of 15 crops in Badami Bagh cantonment on Sunday, Lt Gen J S Sandhu, Corps Commander, Chinar Corps said, “It is easy to call yourself a Mujahid, but are you a Mujahid? Or are you just a proxy for Pakistan. You know the statement made by Pakistan PM few weeks ago. So those local militants should have the wisdom to realize that it is better not to be a proxy for Pakistan and join the mainstream.”
This, he said will facilitate the return of peace to the valley, where people yearn for normalcy.
“So let the local militants take a call and come back. We are ready to receive them in an honourable manner,” he added.
Replying to a question whether killing ultras was the only option, Lt Gen J S Sandhu said security forces are working on two lines of action -- counter-insurgency operation and devising ways by which local militants shun violence and return to the mainstream.
“If you see in several actions we have done recently where in we found a militant injured in Kulgam and instead of eliminating him, we took him to a hospital and saved his life. Similarly, another militant Shamsul Viqar was arrested in Kulgam on the same day. So we want that line of action where in the militants join back the mainstream should work,” he added.
Sandhu’s appeal to local militants was echoed by Director General of Police (DGP) S P Vaid and IG (Operations) of CRPF Zulfiquar Hasan who were present in the conference.
Dr Vaid said it is a very encouraging trend that parents are coming out and appealing to their children, who have joined militant ranks, to shun violence and join the mainstream. “I would request other mothers to appeal to their children to leave the path of violence and surrender because we don’t want to harm anyone,” the DGP said.
Talking about the apprehensions of militants, who want to surrender but are not sure who to approach, Hasan said Army, Police and CRPF have helplines which can be approached for a safe and secured surrender.
“We have received reports from many places that the local militants want to surrender, but are not sure who to approach. We (CRPF) has a helpline called ‘Madadgar’, similarly police and Army also has a helpline where a militant or his family members can call and we will arrange things for him,” the IG CRPF said.
He said the appeal is a joint initiative by Army, Police and CRPF so any militant who surrenders will not harassed in any manner. “We will help them in each and every way we can to rehabilitate them,” he added.