UDHAMPUR: The situation in Kashmir Valley has improved considerably and the Amy would continue to maintain pressure on the militants “till they are totally broken.”
This was stated by La, Gen, Surinder Singh, general officer commanding-in-chief of the Northern Command, while talking to newsmen here. He was addressing his first press conference after taking over charge of the Northern Command in September, He said the militants are under tremendous pressure and are finding it difficult to chalk out fresh strategies.
Singh said the Hazratbal episode was a turning point for Kashmir, which gave a strong psychological setback to the militants. He denied that the Army had entered into any agreement with the militants for their release but admitted that there was intelligence failure about the exact number of foreign mercenaries, arms and ammunition inside the shrine. “The Army was dependent on civil authorities for intelligence inside the shrine and possibly some wrong information was fed to us,” he added.
However, he further said that the Hazratbal episode had shown to the world the patience, restraint and discipline of the Indian Army. Lt Gen, Surinder Singh said with the clearing of Sopore town of militant’s demoralization had set in among the militant ranks as their tall claim of spore being a “liberated zone” by shattered.
He said that although militants have acquired sophisticated arms and ammunition they would meet their end soon.
Article extracted from this publication >> January 28, 1994
