The army does not deal with the protests. It is only the police or, at best, the CRPF that deals with protests, General Officer Commanding of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, Lt Gen Satish Dua told reporters here.
"So, while we let them deal with protests, but in this unfortunate incident, they (protesters) had actually started breaking the gate and the fence of the army camp there," Dua said.
The protests broke out in Natnussa village on April 15 after four people were killed in firing by security forces in different areas in the district following allegations of molestation of a girl student by an army man in Handwara.
Lt Gen Dua said the inquiry ordered by the army into the incident and the subsequent firing was underway.
"The inquiry is underway," the army commander said.
Asked about the number of militants waiting in launch pads across the Line of Control (LoC), Lt Gen Dua said it does not matter how many people are waiting at the launchpads.
Army is ready in every manner, whether there is less snow or not and irrespective of the seasons, to stop infiltration.
The army has always been helping the people in far flung areas and through various schemes under (operation) Sadbhavana.
So, the army is ready to stop infiltrators and to establish peace in the valley, he said.
The Corps Commander was here at the re-opening ceremony of Zojila Pass on 434-km Srinagar-Leh highway.
The road link connecting Ladakh with the rest of the country remains shut for around six months annually in winter due to heavy snowfall.