To 'sustain their families and serve the nation,' several Kashmiri youths participate in Army recruitment drive in Baramulla

Several youths in Kashmiri came forward on Tuesday to participate in an Army recruitment drive in Baramulla district. 

Young men could be seen queuing up for the recruitment drive for 111 vacancies in the district in the valley. 

An Army aspirant, Bilal Ahmad while speaking of participating in the army said that this will be an opportunity to serve the nation and sustain their families. 

He said, "We will get the chance to sustain our families and serve our nation, what else can one want?"

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Back in 2018 July, nearly 19,000 Kashmiri youth applied for getting recruited in the Indian Army. 

A recruitment drive that was being held at Haiderbeig in Pattan area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district and 18931 registrations had been received online from across the 10 districts of the Valley, Defence spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia told PTI here.

This drive comes in the wake of the valley being a victim to terrorist insurgency and separatism.  

Earlier on Tuesday in a press brief, Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, Corps Commander of Chinar Corps, Indian Army, appealed to the mothers of Kashmiri youth, asking their sons who have joined terrorism to surrender. 

He said, "I would like to tell one thing to parents of the local youth especially the mothers as I understand and know that a mother has a great role to play in Kashmiri society. I request all mothers of Kashmir, please tell your sons who have joined terrorism to surrender and get back to the to the mainstream. 

"Anyone who picks up guns in Kashmir will be eliminated unless they surrender. This is a message and request for all mothers. There is a very good surrender policy initiated by the government so they can join the mainstream and pursue their life," he added.   

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