General Bipin Rawat's Stern Warning to Misguided Kashmiri Youth; Says 'Return to Normal Life or Get Neutralised'

Pathankot, November 12: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Bipin Rawat, today during his interaction with the media at Mamun Cantonment in Pathankot, issued a stern warning to the Kashmiri youth who are involved in terror activities. He said youngsters who have joined terrorist groups should return or the security forces would neutralise them. The army chief also said that those who have veered off the course still have the opportunity to surrender to lead a normal life. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat Claims Nepal And Bhutan More Inclined Towards India Due To Geography

The COAS also warned the locals of the Kashmir Valley who disrupt the operations of the security forces are also supporters of terrorists and these people should also be dealt with severely. The army chief also defended the government's decision to not to engage with separatist leaders of Hurriyat Conference on an official level, as an interlocutor has been appointed in Jammu & Kashmir for indirect talks with all concerned groups.

He said, “Interlocutor is talking to people, he is open to anybody who wants to speak to him. We're doing indirect talks, if they (separatists) don’t want to talk, what can we do? The head of the state isn't going to talk to the terrorists. It’s not going to happen.” The interlocutor, retired IPS Dineshwar Sharma, was appointed in November last year for a confidence-building measure in Jammu and Kashmir. Gen. Rawat today addressed a gathering of senior Army officer, defence experts and former senior officials of government and police at a function titled 'Changing Contours of Internal Security in India: Trends and Responses' at Mamun Cantt.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 12, 2018 11:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).