Baramulla, Jun 24: Claiming that situation in the state is under control, the Army today said that more than 250 militants are active in Kashmir and about the same number are waiting at “launch pads” across the Line of Control to infiltrate into the Valley.
“About 250-275 militants are active in Kashmir valley,” General-Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based Chinar Corps (15 Corps), Lt Gen A K Bhatt, who was flanked by GoC 19 Infantry Division Baramulla Major General Gulab Singh Rawat, told media persons on the sidelines of Baramulla Youth Festival today.
He said militants in groups of 25-30 are waiting at launch pads across the LoC to infiltrate into the Valley.
“In the 15 Corps’ zone (across the LoC), about 250-270 in groups of 25-30 are at different launch pads,” he claimed.
Lt Gen Bhatt also said the situation in north Kashmir is better than in the south.
“Compared to south Kashmir, there is less number of militants in north and the situation is also better in north Kashmir for which I thank the people, especially the youth, here,” he said.
Asked whether NSG would be deployed during counter-militancy operations in Srinagar, the Army officer said “yes”.
“I think NSG will be deployed in Srinagar city along with police,” he said.
When asked about the widely-circulated videos purportedly showing the Army blasting houses during encounters, he said, “These kinds of videos are being circulated on social media by Pakistan to give an impression in world that human rights are being violated in J&K.
“It is a gimmick of Pakistan to earn sympathy at the global level. Pakistan wants to sabotage the situation in Kashmir by playing the victim card at the UN conference which is scheduled to take place next month.”
