Indian army chief calls for political solution in Kashmir

[Jade]

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NEW DELHI: The head of the Indian army has called for a political solution to unrest in Indian-administered Kashmir, saying the military should step back from its security role in the region.

Street violence in the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley has increased in recent weeks after the deaths of several unarmed civilians who were killed as troops sought to contain protests against rule from New Delhi.

“I feel there is a great requirement for political initiatives that take all people together,” General V.K. Singh told the Times of India in an interview published Wednesday.

“Militarily, we have brought the overall internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir under control. Now, the need is to handle things politically.”

Singh added that local police “need to be more active” to allow the army, currently numbering about 500,000, to reduce its presence in the region.

Three Indian soldiers and five suspected militants were killed in the latest gunbattle that started late Monday along the Line of Control (LoC) border that splits Kashmir between India and Pakistan.

The army said the militants were involved in one of many attempts to “infiltrate” the Indian-controlled sector from the Pakistani side.

Despite the street protests and border clashes, the insurgency has lessened in recent years amid peace talks between the two nations.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir since 1947, but the last major troop build-up was in 2002 after gunmen attacked the parliament in New Delhi, with the alleged backing of Pakistan.

“The armed forces are required to undertake operations in very difficult circumstances,” Singh said. “If the Jammu and Kashmir situation has come under control, it's the forces which have sacrificed with their blood.”

DAWN.COM | World | Indian army chief calls for political solution in Kashmir

---------- Post added at 03:53 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:52 PM ----------

Pragmatic words I would say

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

I guess the Indian military has failed to achieve it objectives in Kashmir and the brutal use of force has created enormous problems for India. India should seriously negotiate the Kashmir Dispute if it wants peace and stability in the region.

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

Political steps needed in ***: army chief

NEW DELHI: The head of the Indian army has called for a political solution to unrest in Indian-held Kashmir, saying the military should step back from its security role in the region. “I feel there is a great requirement for political initiatives that take all people together,” General VK Singh told the Times of India in an interview published Wednesday. “Militarily, we have brought the overall internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir under control. Now, the need is to handle things politically,” he said. Singh added that local police “need to be more active” to allow the army, currently numbering about 500,000, to reduce its presence in the region. “The armed forces are required to undertake operations in very difficult circumstances,” Singh said. “If the Jammu and Kashmir situation has come under control, it’s the forces which have sacrificed with their blood,” he said. However, Singh claimed that the terror training camps in Pakistan are still operational. “The terror infrastructure in Pakistan remains intact,” said Singh, adding “there are, after all, 34 active and eight other terror-training camps still operational across the border”. “Moreover, an estimated 500-600 terrorists are still active within J&K, with close to 50% of them being of foreign origin,” he said. “Then, we have inputs that efforts are being made to revive tanzeems (militant outfits) like Hizbul Mujahideen, which have suffered a lot in our operations,” said Singh. “Infiltration attempts continue... great amount of efforts are being made to send militants into J&K. But we have strong and dynamic anti-infiltration and anti-terror grids in place,” said the Indian army chief. agencies

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]

‘Bold steps needed to control situation in Kashmir’



INDIA: Indian Army Chief General V K Singh said that bold and far sighted political steps are urgently needed to control the situation in held Kashmir.

In an exclusive interview with Times of India, Singh said that there is a great requirement for political initiatives which take all the people of held Kashmir forward, together.

He said that the Jammu and Kashmir police, too, needs to become more active. He also revealed that the army is not contemplating any more troop cuts in Kashmir.

Around 300,000 soldiers have been deployed along the borders as well as in Kashmir for counter-insurgency operations.


‘Bold steps needed to control situation in Kashmir’ – The Express Tribune

[Jade]

I guess the Indian military has failed to achieve it objectives in Kashmir and the brutal use of force has created enormous problems for India. India should seriously negotiate the Kashmir Dispute if it wants peace and stability in the region.

If army chief says something to effectively meet the challenges of a possible `two-front war' with China and Pakistan, Pakistani members call it war mongering. If the army chief says Kashmir issue should be solved through political initiatives, Pakistani members say that Indian army has failed to achieve it objectives so considering political initiatives. So, make up mind what do you want: either a military solution or a political one.

[Sri]

Well solution was ready but ....

Kashmir solution just a signature away: Kasuri

[Renegade]

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I guess the Indian military has failed to achieve it objectives in Kashmir

what makes you think that? violence is at an all time low in Kashmir, nearly every week the Army kills terrorists in J&K. the ability of terrorists to strike is been nearly neutralised due to aggressive action by the army and infeltration is being tackled effectively. To me it dosent look like failure to meet objectives but the contrary.

and the brutal use of force has created enormous problems for India. India should seriously negotiate the Kashmir Dispute if it wants peace and stability in the region.

Indeed