Kashmiris picking up arms a matter of concern: GOC Northern Command

Jammu: Top army commander, Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Northern Command on Monday said even though the local militant recruitment has shown a significant decline, but “the issue of local boys joining militancy remains a matter of concern.”
Talking to reporters at Udhampur he said “local recruitment remains a matter of concern for all of us. Last year, we had 217 local youth who had picked up militancy. This year, the number has significantly reduced and as on date there are only 40 youth who have picked up arms”.
The Army commander said that one of the key reasons for locals picking up gun was the “radicalization and exploitation of social media by Pakistani agencies.” The army commander said that Pakistan was feeling “starved” due to a very effective counter infiltration grid of the Indian Army.
It is pertinent to mention that only 40 youth joining militancy this summer so far in Jammu and Kashmir is lowest ever since 2016. However, officials assert that they won’t take a chance and will ensure local militant recruitment remains plugged in remaining months of the year especially the summer months when infiltration is expected to pick up due to melting of snow. According to officials, no foreign militant was killed on the LoC this year so far.