JK Gov regrets 'hate Army' propaganda in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 20: Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha has regretted a ''hate Army propaganda'' by vested elements, saying they have created an impression that the armed forces were the ''number one enemy'' of the people of the Valley.

He, however, complimented the sagacity of the masses for appreciating the good work done by the Army and also for refusing to get swayed by the malicious propaganda.

The Governor was addressing prominent citizens in Badgam district after inaugurating the second phase of the renovation work carried out by the Army at the famous shrine of Ayatollah Syed Mehdi Alsafvi.

During his tours to various areas in the state, Gen Sinha said he felt elated to find goodwill between the Army and the people.

While the people had many expectations, the Army never failed to render assistance in the hour of need, he added.

The Governor compared the record of the Indian Army with other armies combating terrorism around the world, saying during 18 years of proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir not a single place of worship had been damaged or desecrated by the armed forces.

He referred to the damages caused to mosques in Wana Baluchistan and Faluja in Iraq by foreign armies while fighting insurgents.

Several people were killed in air strikes in these places while India never used air power or artillery against militants, he added.

Gen Sinha mentioned the damages caused to the shrine of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani at Charar-e-Sharief by militants. When militants occupied Hazratbal, security forces ensured that no damage was caused to the holy shrine and ultras were made to vacate it, he added.

Praying for peace in Jammu and Kashmir, the Governor said the troops would return to barracks only after performing their additional role of bringing about normalcy in the state.

However, they would continue to defend the borders, protect the people and render all humanitarian assistance even after their role ends in bringing about internal peace, he added.

Gen Sinha said no force in the world had acquitted itself better in dealing with militancy than the Indian Army in Kashmir.

UNI