Kashmir needs a few more peaceful years: Lt Gen Ghai

Srinagar: The outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Srinagar-based 15 Corps, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai said that Kashmir needs a few more peaceful years like 2022, 2023 and 2024 for a lasting peace.

He said armed forces cannot be withdrawn or diluted from any area at this stage as the region is going through a consolidation phase. He added that around 80 militants, including 40 foreigners, are active in the Valley, but this year just two locals were recruited in the militant ranks. This is negligible compared to even 2023, when around a dozen locals were recruited, he said.

"We need a few more years like 2024, 2023 and 2022 for this peace to be enduring and lasting," said Lt Gen Ghai, adding the biggest challenge for the forces is to keep the situation as it is today.


"Whether it is a counter-infiltration grid along LoC or a counter-terrorism grid in the Valley, it has to be maintained... We are in the consolidation phase and no dilution of the grid is recommended," he said , adding that "Army is also aware that the situation is dynamic and various scenarios can unfold". But they will ensure what they have achieved in the past can be replicated in future as well, he said.

The GOC further said that the ceasefire along the Line of Control, despite infiltration attempts, is sustaining and any exception is immediately communicated and brought to notice through the hotlines.

"In early 2021, the situation was tenuous on northern borders with China. The two countries felt that was the most apt thing to do so that tensions could be kept under a threshold... Ceasefire is sustaining and there are certain tenets to that ceasefire understanding, which both sides follow," he said.