Published: February 12, 2008
Kashmiris Still Joining Militant Ranks
By Fayaz Wani
Srinagar, Feb 12: Despite the continued casualties suffered by militant groups in Kashmir, their ranks continue to receive new recruitment from within the violence-hit region.
A top para-military CRPF officer M S Gupta told media that Kashmiri youth continue to join the militant ranks. "The Kashmiri youth join the militant ranks in fewer numbers. We have got reports that about 30-40 youth from different parts of Kashmir joined militant ranks last year," he said.
About the number of militants present in Kashmir, the para-military officer said, "According to our intelligence inputs there are about 450 militants active in Kashmir. The number keeps on floating as they continue to be on the move," he added.
When questioned if the troops would return to barracks if violence shows further decline in Kashmir, he said, "It was not the right time for that. First let the normalcy prevail completely here. And after a peaceful election is held then we can think over it," he added.
The para-military officer claimed that the encounters in Kashmir will increase in the coming days as snow starts melting.
Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.
Search News
