“Terror Back as Major Concern in Jammu Region”: Former Northern Army Commander Lt Gen DS Hooda

"Terror is back as a major concern in Jammu region": former Northern Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Deependra Singh Hooda, to Karan Thapar for The Wire.

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In an upfront and blunt admission, one of the Indian army’s most highly regarded former Army Commanders of Northern Command, who also served as a former Corp commander in the Jammu region, has said “terror is back as a major concern particularly in the Jammu region”. Lt. Gen. Deependra Singh Hooda said “It is serious and a matter of concern for the government”.



In a 25-minute interview to Karan Thapar for The Wire, Gen. Hooda said: “A deliberate effort has been made to stoke up violence in the Jammu region”. He said initially terror was limited to the Poonch and Rajouri area but “now it has spread across the whole Jammu region”.



In a detailed discussion focused on why terror has become a major concern in Jammu where, for the last 10-15 years, the situation was deemed to be peaceful and almost free of terror, Gen. Hooda said: “Yes, I would say some sort of complacency (on the part of the army and the BSF) did set in.”



In identifying the reasons why terror has returned to the Jammu region, Gen. Hooda mentioned the disaffection of the Bakarwal and Gujjar communities after reservations were announced for the Paharis. He also mentioned how the anti-Muslim atmosphere and rhetoric, created by members of the government or the BJP, has affected the Gujjars and Bakarwals.



I am only giving you the big broad points. The details are in the interview. I would encourage you to see the interview to understand them fully.



Gen. Hooda also speaks about steps that must be taken to detect and deal with the 70-80 terrorists who have come over from Pakistan and are now on Indian territory. He also talks about the “paradox” of a ceasefire, reinforced in 2021, which is holding effectively for the last three years, whilst there is increased and stepped-up infiltration. Again, I will leave you to see the interview to hear for yourself what he has said about these issues.



Gen. Hooda’s understanding of Kashmir, and the Jammu region in particular as well as terror, is unsurpassed and you will learn a lot from hearing him speak.



Here is the link:


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