Pak. attracting poor, working-class people into terrorism in Rajouri, Poonch: Army

The Army statement came a day after the Jammu and Kashmir Police pointed at local support for militants who attacked an Army truck in Poonch on April 20, which left five soldiers dead.

The Army on Saturday said Pakistan was trying to attract the poor and working-class people in Rajouri-Poonch sector, home to a large number of Muslim Gujjars and Bakerwals, for “terrorist activities with money”. 

“After the abolition of Article 370, Pakistan does not want peace and government formation in J&K. That is why, Pakistan keeps on creating various conspiracies to mislead the youth of this region by giving training in terrorist camps and changing the thinking of youth through wrong propaganda,” the Army said, flaying Pakistan’s false propaganda “on caste and religion etc”.

The Army statement came a day after the Jammu and Kashmir Police pointed at local support for militants who attacked an Army truck in Poonch on April 20, which left five soldiers dead.

“Pakistan never wants an atmosphere of peace or harmony in J&K. Pakistan always tries to spread unrest, disharmony, and communal disturbances by supplying drugs and intoxicants to youth of this region,” the Army said.

“The people of J&K should understand the heinous and nefarious acts of Pakistan and protest such activities on a large scale. They should try to motivate their children and family and keep them updated with the old history of this region,” the spokesman added.

He said there was a need to educate locals “in a proper direction”. “In the recent attack on an Army truck in Poonch, a few names of a community came to the fore, which is unbelievable. Hence, the people of this area should keep away from such type of incidents and activities... If someone is roaming suspiciously in the region, people should immediately inform and assist the Army and foil any major incident like Poonch,” the Army said.

It is the responsibility of all to be alert and cautious in the future to save the lives of our Army soldiers and citizens of this region and bring peace and tranquillity, the Army added.