COAS rules out withdrawal of troops from Siachen

Kolhapur, May 28: Chief of the Army Staff Gen J J Singh has ruled out withdrawal of troops from Siachen unless Pakistan agreed on the actual ground position.

Talking to reporters here this evening, the Army Chief said defence secretary-level talks had been held in New Delhi recently in this regard and the talks were held as part of the overall confidence-building efforts.

The COAS said violence had decreased to some extent in Kashmir.

The incidents of violence in Kashmir at present were being triggered by terrorists out of frustration since they were unable to gain the support of the locals who wanted peace, the General said.

Army recruitment rallies in Kashmir have attracted overwhelming response from the local youth because of their rejection of terrorism and also because of the army's role in containing violence, he said.

Earlier, the COAS was accorded a public felicitation hosted by Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj at the new palace grounds here. Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj presented the General with a sword on the occasion. Replying to his felicitation, Gen Singh, while commending the role of the soldiers, said the army was capable of facing any challenge.

Upon his arrival at the Ujalaiwadi Aerodrome here earlier along with his wife, the Army Chief was received by Mumbai Sub Area commander Brig S K Bharadwaj, 109 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) commanding officer Col P Vijay Kumar, and civil administration officials.

General Singh, who is also the Colonel of the Maratha Light Infantry, visited the 109 Infantry Battalion at Tembalhil and interacted with the jawans.

UNI