There has been a 'positive response' after our appeal to Kashmiri mothers: Army
KJS Dhillon, GOC, Chinar Corps
One of the most senior armymen in Kashmir has said that there has been a "positive response" after his last appeal to Kashmiri mothers — that they not allow their sons to become militants.
The statement was made by Lt General KJS Dhillon, GOC of the Chinar Corps.
"Two militants were killed in yesterday's Shopian encounter... one was a technical graduate and had joined (the) outfit on April 3," the news agency ANI quoted Dhillon as saying.
"It takes me back to the point I've been repeating, my request to mothers of Kashmir, please don't let your children take this path," he added.
"You sent him for higher education but he dies days after joining the outfit. Is this the future of the youth of Kashmir? Are we working to see this day?" Dhillon said.
He added that "after my last appeal to mothers, there has been (a) positive response, boys are approaching us and (a) few have been rehabilitated".
Dhillon said that "this year, especially after Pulwama, we targeted (the) JeM leadership. Today I can assure (you), JeM leadership is non-existent in (the) Kashmir valley".
Dhillon had made his appeal to Kashmiri mothers after the February14 suicide attack on a security convoy in Pulwama that left over 40 CRPF personnel dead. The attack was claimed by the terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed.
The general added that "his request to all boys joining the (militant) outfits" was to surrender.