Army chief counsels 'radicalised' Kashmiri youths against becoming cannon fodder of terror outfits

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat Monday sought to counsel Kashmiri youths having the propensity to veer off to radical paths to see through the designs of terror outfits, which use them up as "cannon feeders" even before training them to fight.

Terming those hindering the security forces' anti-terror operations as "supporters of terrorists", and warning them of "stern actions", the Chief of Army Staff said the security forces are also acting against those involved in terror funding and aiding and abetting terrorism.

Talking of situation on borders, Gen Rawat said the infiltration was under control and the cease fire violations by Pakistan army are being replied to befittingly.

Terming the situation along the border and hinterland as "totally under control", the Army chief, however, noted that attempts are being made to revive terrorism in Jammu region.

Holding "misinformation and disinformation" campaigns responsible for the radicalisation of the youths in the Valley, the COAS called upon them to understand the terror outfits' designs.

"The radicalisation is happening more because of the misinformation and disinformation campaigns. Youths are being fed up with wrong and incorrect information," Gen Rawat said in a reply to a question by PTI on the sidelines of a function to facilitate disabled soldiers here.

"The youths are being recruited by militant outfits through disinformation. And then, they don't even have any training and get eliminated in a few days," he added.

Counselling the misguided youths to see through the designs of the militant outfits, the CAOS said, "If they (radicalised youth and militants) understand properly that they are being used as a cannon fodder, they will better shun violence and join mainstream."
Talking of those hindering anti-terror operations by security forces, Gen Rawat warned, "Whoever disrupts the security forces' operations, needs to be dealt with sternly."
Maintaining that the situation along the border and in the hinterland is "totally under control", Gen Rawat said the Army is replying befittingly to cease fire violations by the Pakistan army and "nothing that we have seen in the past, is been done now."
Talking of bids of infiltration via International Border in Jammu, Gen Rawat said, "They are trying to stage infiltration via IB in Jammu. We are alert. Recently a security review meeting took place in Jammu. We will take action. We neutralised militants and did not allow them inside where they can cause damage."