New Delhi, Sep 06: If Pakistan stops terrorism, the Army would also “be like Neeraj Chopra”, Army chief General Bipin Rawat has said, referring to the Asian Games javelin gold medallist’s gesture of reaching out to his Pakistani competitor.
Rawat, while speaking at an event Wednesday to felicitate Asian Games medallists from the Army, also said the situation in Kashmir improved in 2017 as compared to the year before, and it was improving further in 2018.
Asked if there was any “sportsmanship” on display at the Indo-Pak border, Rawat said, “They should make the first move, they should stop terrorism. If they stop terrorism, we will also be like Neeraj Chopra.”
It was quite a moment at the Asian Games when Chopra stood flanked by a Chinese and a Pakistani on the podium. The picture of Chopra shaking hands with Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who won bronze, on the podium went viral on social media.
Rawat said that contrary to the figures that keep coming up in the media that militancy was rising in Kashmir, “local youngsters getting radicalised and taking up arms were getting killed by the security forces or arrested or surrendering in 1-2 months.
“This action (by the security forces) will continue, but I can say with confidence that among youngsters and their families there is a belief that this is not the right path.
“I see in many places that the mothers have urged their sons to come back and if this action continues, I am confident that we will be able to solve the problem of terrorism. And slowly the youngsters that have become radicalised, will come home,” he said.
Imperative to find solution to Kashmir issue: Pak Prez, PM
Islamabad, Sep 06: Pakistan’s President and Prime Minister Thursday said it was imperative to find a solution to the Kashmir issue under the UN resolutions for peace in the region as they voiced their desire to promote mutual cooperation with other countries on the basis of equality.
Pakistan observes September 06 as the Defence Day to mark the anniversary of the 1965 war with India.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his first message on the occasion, said: “Pakistan believed in peaceful coexistence and wanted to promote mutual cooperation with all its neighbours and the entire world on equal basis.”
Outgoing President Mamnoon Hussain said that people of Pakistan demonstrated unsurpassed national unity and stood by their armed forces to thwart the evil designs of the enemy.
The President and Prime Minister, in their separate messages on the occasion, emphasised that the resolution of the Kashmir issue in light of the UN resolutions is imperative for peace in the region, ‘Radio Pakistan’ reported.
In his victory speech in July, Khan had said that Pakistan was ready to improve its ties with India and his government would like the leaders of the two sides to resolve all disputes, including the “core issue” of Kashmir.
In his message today, Khan appreciated the courage and professionalism of the Pakistani armed forces in eliminating militancy and terrorism, saying “no doubt their efforts for national development, strengthening of democracy and world peace were laudable”.
The government, he said, would continue absolute struggle in the war against terrorism till its logical end.
