Qazigund, May 20: Asserting that the militancy was on decline, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 15 Corps, Lt Gen SA Hasnain Sunday said involvement of “criminal elements” in recent incidents of violence cannot be ruled out.
 “There has been a change in the overall security situation in the Valley and the militancy is certainly on decline,” GOC told reports on the sidelines of “Awami Mulaqat” (public interaction) specially organised for Kashmiri Pandits in the transit camp at Vessu in this south Kashmir area.
 “The recent grenade attacks can be a criminal activity too as plenty of abandoned hideouts have been busted by the Army were arms and ammunition were dumped. The criminal elements might be using the dumped ammunition to carry-out subversive activities”, GOC said.
 He said there was a possibility that more such ammunition might have been dumped by the militants in the past and the Army is making every possible effort to bust them.
 However, he said that the hand of militants in the recent grenade attacks cannot be ruled out. “The militants might have also struck as they want their presence to be felt,” said GOC.
 There have been two failed car bombing attempts at Army convoys and VIP vehicles in the Valley in last two months. On Friday evening, police detected a car fitted with multiple Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) on outskirts of the Srinagar city.
 “Militancy is neither on increase, nor decreasing, it is in a stable state,” Gen Hasnain said.
 GOC said that such attacks can only be prevented if the intelligence gathering is improved.
 He said that the Army was also maintaining strict vigil on the Line of Control (LOC) to foil any attempts of infiltration.
 GOC, refused to comment when asked about the partial revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) after the police reportedly in its report has declared 13 districts of the state as militancy free. “I cannot comment on this issue as I am not aware about it”.
 He also refused to comment on the Leh incident involving Army officers and soldiers.
 Earlier, addressing a gathering of Kashmiri Pandits, GOC said their return to the Valley is essential for peace in Kashmir.
 “Army would support various development works for rehabilitation and return of Kashmiri Pandits on the pattern of Corporate Social Responsibility in the valley,” he said.
 “Return of Kashmiri Pandits to their homes would be the most essential milestone in the search for peace in Kashmir," Lt Gen Hasnain said.
 GOC Victor Force Major General R R Nimbhorkar, outgoing Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad (Anantnag), Kifayat Hussain Rizvi and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kulgam, Jehangir Mir were also present.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 IST