Our role limited to anti-militancy operations in Kashmir, says Army

The Indian Army on Thursday said its role was limited to security and anti-militancy operations in Kashmir while law and order continued to be the responsibility of the state police.

Speaking to media on the sidelines of a function in Srinagar, the army's 15 corps commander Lt. Gen. S.K. Dua said: "Our role is limited to security and anti-militancy operations in the Valley while law and order is the responsibility of the state police."

The corps commander said army personnel have to secure roads and highways in the Valley during the movement of its convoys.

"Sometimes when our troops come under stone pelting during such duties, we need the local police to resolve the situation," Gen Dua said.

He said the army has carried out many anti-militancy operations in Kashmir since the ongoing cycle of violence started here.

Asked if more youths had joined the ranks of the militants after the present unrest began, the corps commander said he would not be able to comment on the number of new recruits into militancy.

"Many youths involved in stone pelting do not sleep in their homes for fear of arrest from the police. It is not, therefore, possible to say if such youths also became part of militancy," he said.

--IANS

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