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| 300 terrorists waiting to sneak into J & K : Gen Patnaik | | Defence, home ministries to decide on AFSPA | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 15: A decision on revoking the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Jammu and Kashmir will be taken by the defence and home ministries, a senior Indian Army commander said on Sunday, underlining that the act was a "must for national security".
Northern Command chief Lieutenant General KT Parnaik told a group of newsmen on the sidelines of an investiture ceremony on the Army Day in Akhnoor, 30 km from Jammu, that "AFSPA is a necessity for national security."
He was replying to questions on AFSPA that grants immunity to the security forces from legal prosecution for actions undertaken while fighting insurgency. Jammu and Kashmir has been battling terrorism for the past 21 years, and the Army and other wings of the security forces are shielded by this Act, which Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is keen to get removed in a phased manner in the backdrop of fast improved situation in the state.
Parnaik, during whose tenure the troops of the Northern Command smothered the terrorists and made 2011 the most peaceful for the first time since 1990, however, made it clear that the "the ministry of defence and ministry of home affairs would decide on the issue of revocation or retention of AFSPA".
Reasoning the context of AFSPA's need in Jammu and Kashmir, citing the ground realities, the Army Commander referred to the anticipated threat of terrorists coming from across the Line of Control (LoC) joining hands with the existing lot in the state to disturb the peace, and the continuous ceasefire violations by Pakistan troops.
He said that about 300 terrorists are still waiting at the launching pads to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir from across the Line of Control.
He added that as many as 2500 terrorists are getting training in various terrorist camps still intact in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Pakistan. However, Lt.Gen. Parnaik said that the Army is fully prepared to meet any eventuality from across the border.
About the Line of Actual Control (LoAC) with China, the Army Commander said that the situation is completely under control and in view of frequent usual transgression the Confident Building Measures between the two countries are in progress normally.
"What we have on the LAC is transgressions. There are transgressions which have taken place in 2011, which have followed the routine pattern of previous years with some minor changes," Lt Gen Parnaik said.
"The confidence-building measures are in place. Hence, the situation is very much under control," he said adding Army and ITBP personnel were carrying out surveillance along the border. |
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