Srinagar: General Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, Lt. General D P Pandey has said that the truce along the Line of Control between India and Pakistan is desirable for both nations, and the main beneficiaries are the people of two sides.
Local news agency KNS, reported that in an interview with it, Lt. Gen Pandey also said that “the situation has been largely normal with negligible stone-pelting incidents, negligible mob-violence and especially no civil casualty due to the security force action since August 05, 2019.”
He said “I am satisfied with the way the calm and peace has prevailed in the valley. Tourism is flourishing, business is doing well. The new normal is becoming the way of life.”
He also said “due to our effective anti-infiltration grid, ceasefire (along LoC) being in vogue and a very proactive approach of the intelligence and security forces, there has been significant reduction in all parameters of violence. This effort has been to break what I call is the ‘cycle of violence’, which included identifying and targeting the OGWs network and it has yielded good results. There is a significant drop of smuggling of arms, ammunition and drugs, as well.”
The GoC, as per the news agency also said that “the increasing participation of the citizens in cultural, sports and empowerment activities are heartening as they spread positivity in the lives of citizens affected by fear of violence and disruption of normal life.”
About the renewed truce along the LoC, the GoC said “this truce deal is desirable for both nations, and the main beneficiaries are the people living along the Line of Control. The deal has great significance for the stability and peace in the region.
“The attempts to foment violence in J&K are the primary reason for a volatile LoC. The onus is on Pakistan to stop abetting militancy in J&K – that done the LoC peace will sustain. While the ceasefire deal is in effect, we are alert and upgrading our ability to counter any infiltration attempts,” he said.
On Afghanistan the GoC said that it is an evolving geo-political situation and the whole world is watching it very closely.
“At the national level, our government is keeping a close watch on the developments that are unfolding and its resultant impact on the security issues pertaining to Kashmir. The security forces are alert on the borders and in the hinterland. We are continuously monitoring the fallouts which might emerge from Taliban situation in Afghanistan.
“You would also be aware that the first thing the Taliban did after taking over was releasing all militants from prisons. Pakistan’s ISI could also use its influence on the Taliban and shift militant training camps based in PoK to border areas in Afghanistan. Such developments might have an impact on India. We are also watching closely the security situation and violence on Pakistan’s borders with Afghanistan. The situation is a worry for the global order and we are part of that,” the GoC said.
