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Indian Army says Kashmir a political issue

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Srinagar, India, Feb 1, IRNA -- Indian Army said that Kashmir is a political issue.

Describing Kashmir as a political issue, the commander of the Indian Aarmy’s 15th Corps, Lt Gen Atta Hasnain said that the situation was not yet conducive to withdraw troops from the state, but conceded that the central government could take steps to revoke the AFSPA in the region.

“The AFSPA acts as a shield for the forces during anti-militancy operations, but if the central government decides to revoke it, the army will not stand in its way,” Gen Hasnain said on Monday at a public function organised by the army at the headquarters of the 1st sector in Anantnag.

“Resolving Kashmir and revoking AFSPA are political matters, and the army has no role in them,” he said.
Replying to a question, Gean Hasnain said that scores of training camps still existed in Pakistan- administered-Kashmir where militants were being given arms training to impair the unity and integrity of India.

The general said that infiltration had ceased for the time being due to snow and weather conditions, but would pick again once the snows melted and the weather improved.

“The army has confirmed intelligence reports that scores of heavily armed militants are waiting on the other side of the frontier for a chance to sneak across the line,” he said.

“The troops deployed on the LoC are on high alert, and geared to tackle any eventuality,” he said.

The general said that the situation in the state was not conducive for withdrawing troops as militants were still active.

“The statement made by the army chief on this issue sums up the army’s stand,” he said.

Earlier, addressing the large gathering of civilians from various parts of the district, the general said that he had come to Anantnag with a message of peace.

“I have an emotional attachment with Anantnag, for it was here that I began my army career,” he said, adding that the image of the district flashed through his mind whenever there was any mention of Kashmir.