Barring grenade attack, violence has come down in Kashmir,

Srinagar, Dec 16 (UNI) Assuring that total normalcy is ''around the corner'', GOC 15 corps Lt General A S Sekhon said incidents of barring grenade attacks, militant violence in the Kashmir valley has come down considerably and the situation is well under control mainly due to active cooperation from the local people.

The Kashmir valley has witnessed less number of militancy-related incidents as compared to previous years, Lt General A S Sekhon told reporters on the sideline of Vijay Diwas celebrations here today.

However, he admitted that incidents of grenade attacks has increased this year which has resulted in the loss of lives, mostly civilians and tourists.

He said militants are avoiding direct contact with the security forces and they are resorting to hitting soft targets through ''innocent'' young people.

Lt General Sekhon said the militant organisations are paying Rs 1000 to misguided youths to lob grenades at crowded places so that innocent civilians are killed or wounded.

He said the other militant violence, including car bomb blasts, Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosions, fidayeen attacks and killings of minorities and civilians has come down in comparison to previous years.

The situation is totally well under control, he said and added that credit goes to local people for it.

He said security forces have eliminated 844 militants, including some top commanders of different organisations, busted hideouts and recovered huge cache of arms and ammunition since January this year.

The success, he said, was achieved mainly due to the cooperation by the local people who are now coming openly with information about militant movement and their hideouts.

People are fed up with the violence which has brought only death and destruction during all these years, he said adding they want total peace.

''Total normalcy is just around the corner,'' he said adding the situation in Kashmir is improving with every passing day which is evident from the fact that developmental activities are going on.

Amarnath yatra has taken place without any incident and tourists are coming in large numbers.

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