New Delhi, July 9
The Army has not decided to reduce the troop strength from the J&K. Top commanders are of the opinion that any lowering of guard could be a setback to the hard earned peace. The Army’s response comes at a time when there is a heated debate on withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act from parts of the state.

Officials today denied media reports that some battalions of the Rashtriya Rifles - the one tasked with fighting insurgents -- were being shifted out of Jammu and Kashmir to the northeastern region of the country. “Reports are baseless. This is not even under consideration,” a senior functionary said.

There was need to maintain pressure to retain the peaceful atmosphere in the state as anti-peace elements were still active in the valley and constant vigil is needed to maintain the peace, officials said.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed three amendments to the AFSPA. The matter is pending before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). The Army is not in favour of any amendment.

Earlier in the day, Army Chief General Bikram Singh recollected his close association with Kashmir. He interacted with children from the terrorism-hit area. “The Valley is always on my mind. 

I have shed blood there,” said the Army Chief.

The school children from the Lolab valley in Kashmir had come to meet the Army Chief as part of their countrywide tour “Watan ki sair”. The tour is conducted by the Indian Army under ‘Operation Sadbhavana’ to bring people of Jammu and Kashmir into the national mainstream.

Receiving the students at the Army HQ here, he reminded them that he was injured in a shooting in an encounter during his earlier posting in the state. “Vaadi toh mere jehan mein hai, maine khoon bahaya ha wahan, maine goli khaayee thi (Valley is in my mind, I have shed my blood and have taken bullets),” he said in chaste Hindi and exhorted the students to join the Army in a big way. The Army Chief was hit by a bullet in an encounter with militants.

The Army Chief expressed his satisfaction over the improvement in situation in the Valley and wished that the younger generation of the state would live in peaceful atmosphere.

“How many of you would like to join army?” the Army Chief asked. Almost all the students present raised their hands in affirmation. “Remain committed and be focused in your approach to achieve your goal” he said while giving tips to these students on how to get the success in life.