Operation against militants will continue: GOC 15 Corps

Srinagar, Jul 15 : Asserting that operation against the militants will continue in Kashmir valley, GOC 15 Corps Lt General J S Sandhu today said action would be taken against troops who would be found working unprofessionally. “We have still no information about the soldier Zahoor Ahmad Thokar who decamped with a weapon and magazines from Baramulla, have joined any militant group,” Lt Gen Sandhu told reporters on the sideline of a function here. He said though the militant attack on Amarnath pilgrims, that left seven dead and 19 others wounded in Anantnag recently as reversal, the operation against the militants will continue. “We will be targeting militants in the valley,” he added. He said the situation is under control and security forces will work to further improve it. The youth of the Kashmir Valley are ready to serve the national as was evident from the response to recruitment rally. “Against just 200 posts, there were more than 5,000 youths who wanted to serve the nation,” he said. He said troops are very professional. However, if anybody is found to be working unprofessionally in the force, action will be taken against him, he declared. Intelligence reports suggest that there are 100 to 120 militants in the Valley. Lt Gen Sandhu said there was still no confirmation that Thokar has joined any militant outfit. “We are tracking Thokar, a resident of south Kashmir, who went missing with his service weapon and magazine on July 6 from Baramulla,” he added.