The Army has strongly opposed any move seeking revocation of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act in part or fully from any of the areas in Jammu and Kashmir on the premise that such a step at this stage would only get in the way of its endeavour to obliterate militancy completely from the state.
Though the Army Chief General V.K. Singh said on Thursday that the issue was under the purview of the home ministry and that the Army has already given its inputs, Army sources here said that it has emphasised that it should not be expected to be part of any future counterinsurgency operation in the hinterland in case its view is ignored.
However, it would continue to ensure no infiltration or any other undesirable trans-border activity takes place along the LoC or its vicinity as part of discharging its prime responsibility of defending the borders.
The sources said the sentiment has been conveyed to relevant quarters in New Delhi as well as in Srinagar both verbally and in writing.
Two senior Army commanders Lt. Gen. K.T. Parnaik who heads Northern Command and Lt. Gen. Syed Atta Hasnain, the chief of Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, earlier this week met Jammu and Kashmir met governor N.N. Vohra here to articulate Army’s viewpoint.