Security Forces Gaining Upper Edge Over Militants in Kashmir: JJ

New Delhi, Apr 18 (UNI) The prevailing ceasefire in Jammu&Kashmir and the Confidence Building Measures instituted between India and Pakistan continue to bear fruit with the situation in the northern state fast nearing normalcy, Army Chief General JJ Singh today said.

Addressing the biannual Army Commanders Conference here on its second day, Gen Singh observed that the security forces had gained the upper edge in their fight against the militants. This, he said, was evident from the increase in the numbers of militants surrendering to the authorities and decline in incidence of violence.

The fight to restore peace in the Kashmir Valley had received a boost with as many as 70 militants surrendering so far this year in comparison to 82 during the whole of last year, Gen Singh said.

The Army's efforts to contain cross-border infiltration, too, he claimed, had borne desired results with the kill ratio per intercepted infiltration attempt going up to three in 2005 as compared to 1.3 during 2002.

UNI DG PK RN2015