The Northern Army Commander, Lieutenant General M.V. Suchindra Kumar, today said that peace, prosperity, and the improved security situation in Jammu and Kashmir are a result of concerted and synergised efforts by the Army and other agencies. Speaking about the recent surge in terrorist attacks in Kashmir, the GoC-in-Chief said that the matter was discussed during a Unified Headquarters meeting in Srinagar on Thursday, where a strategy was formulated. He said the focus is on breaking the cycle of violence, dismantling the terror ecosystem, empowering youth and women, facilitating education, promoting sports, and reviving the region’s rich historical and cultural heritage. He said that the security forces have been able to neutralise 720 terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir over the past five years.

The GoC-in-Chief also said that the anti-infiltration grid along the Line of Control and focused counter-terrorism operations in the hinterland have created an environment of peace and development in the Union Territory. He said over 600 Village Defence Groups (VDGs) are being established and 10,000 modern weapons are provided to them, along with training.