SRINAGAR: Army’s Northern Command chief Lt Gen D S Hooda called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti here on Thursday and assured all possible assistance to the state government to bring peace in the violence-hit valley.
Accompanied by Srinagar-based Chinar Corps commander Lt Gen Satish Dua, the Army commander assured the Chief Minister that Army would provide all possible assistance to the government to bring peace at the earliest, Army said in a statement here.
He said Lt Gen Hooda discussed with the Chief Minister the prevailing security situation in the valley.
Kashmir has been on the boil since July 8 following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with security forces in Kokernag area of south Kashmir.
The violent protests left over 50 people dead and scores of others injured.
Appealing to all sections of the society, especially the youth, to exercise calm and maintain peace, Lt Gen Hooda said the prevailing state of violence has caused a lot of losses in terms of education of children, damage to public property, losses to traders and daily wagers and has badly affected tourism.
“The most precious loss is that of young people who were the sole breadwinners of their families,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Lt Gen Hooda visited different areas of the valley and reviewed the security situation and collaborative measures of security forces towards ensuring peace and calm in the region.
Reinforcing the need to maintain high vigil, he urged the troops to continue exercising maximum restraint in dealing with the protesting crowds and sensitise the people, especially the youth.