City
Epaper

575 J&K youths join Army after Art 370 revoked

By IANS | Updated: August 31, 2019 19:10 IST

As many as 575 local youths from Jammu and Kashmir joined the Indian Army in Srinagar on Saturday, less than a month after withdrawal of special status to the state.

Open in App

The youths were inducted into the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment of the Indian Army.

The induction into the Army in such large numbers comes at a time when there have been reports, particularly in sections of the western media, about disaffection among local youth against the central government for withdrawing special category status to the state and dividing it into two union territories.

The passing out parade of the trainees was organized at the Bana Singh Parade Ground in Srinagar in great splendour in true Army tradition.

The newly-created union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been under unprecedented security cover after Parliament withdrew special status to Jammu and Kashmir on August 5 by revoking Article 370 of the Constitution.

"My father was in the Army. I was inspired to join the forces as I was impressed with his uniform. There is a lot of discipline in the Army with which I was also impressed. The Army prepares you both physically and mentally," one of the cadets, Yaseer Ahmed Mir, told the media.

Communication channels, including mobile phones, landlines and the Internet, are yet to be fully restored across the valley after the central government clamped restrictions in the run-up to the abrogation of Article 370.

"We are happy to have completed the training successfully. Now, we only look forward to work with our regiment with full dedication and sincerity," another cadet said.

The induction ceremony was attended by parents of several cadets too who had arrived in Srinagar from several parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The passing out parade was reviewed by Lieutenant General Ashwani Kumar.

"The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry regiment maintains very good relations with the local population. There is no lack of motivation in the local youth. I spoke to families of many cadets. It's not that they are joining the Army simply because they don't have any source of employment. They also have passion to serve the country," said Lt Gen Kumar.

The young soldiers who excelled in varied facets of training were also felicitated.

Recruit Sawan Kumar received the Sher-e-Kashmir Sword of Honour and Triveni Singh Medal for being adjudged 'Overall Best Recruit' and Recruit Pankaj Kumar bagged the Chewang Rinchen Medal for being 'Best in Firing'.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: Indian ArmyjammuKashmir Light InfantryLadakhsrinagar
Open in App

Related Stories

NationalIndia Bans 16 Pak YouTube Channels for Misleading Content on Indian Army, Security Agencies

CricketShahid Afridi Blames Indian Army for Security Lapse in Pahalgam Terror Attack; Watch Videos

NationalPakistan Fires Small Arms Along LoC, Indian Army Retaliates Effectively

NationalPahalgam Terror Attack: Rahul Gandhi to Visit Srinagar on April 25

InternationalPakistan Army Detains BSF Jawan After Accidently Crossing Border in Punjab

National Realted Stories

NationalFormer Rajasthan CM Gehlot cancels birthday celebrations as tribute to victims of J&K terror attack

NationalIndia, Egypt agree on closer collaboration for skill development

NationalClash in Palakkad Municipality meet, Chairperson says assaulted by Left-Cong councillors

NationalTN CM Stalin confident of retaining power; highlights achievements in Assembly

NationalSC rejects Sanjiv Bhatt’s plea for bail, suspension of sentence in custodial death case