Army confident of handling infiltrations, ceasefire violations: Jaitley

Srinagar May 19 (IANS) Defence Minister Arun Jaitley on Friday said the Indian Army was fully confident of not allowing infiltration from across the border as well as giving an adequate response to ceasefire violations by the neighbouring country.

I visited some forward positions on the border today (Friday) to express solidarity of our countrymen with our soldiers. They are fully confident they will not allow any infiltration from across the border into Jammu and Kashmir Jaitley told the media here.

If there are ceasefire violations our soldiers will give an adequate response.

About the possibility of holding talks with separatists in Kashmir he said: There is a difference between average citizens and those who are on the other side. The two cannot be treated similarly.

Those resorting to violence cannot be treated like average citizens. Terrorism and militancy and those who have taken to violence will be treated differently the Minister said.

Except for some areas in south Kashmir one finds that Srinagar and the rest of the Valley is very hospitable as usual he said.

As for an expose about Kashmiri separatist leaders receiving funds from Pakistan to create unrest in the Valley he said: What was already known to informed sources has been put in the public domain by the TV expose.

He said the expose is a confession by these people and he is sure the agencies concerned will take necessary action.

To another question about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor the Union Minister said: Our priority is to bring development to Jammu and Kashmir. Let nobody be jealous about such happenings. There are examples when an entry (to a place) is made in the name of economic development to establish military bases.

On whether the Valley situation was only about militancy and violence and not public aspirations Jaitley said that sentiments and aspirations were present in every part of the country but at the end of the day a crucial situation arises when you take to arms.

--IANS
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