Kashmiri boys shun ultras threat, attend Army recruitment camp

Defying the threat of militants, around 9,000 Kashmiri boys on Tuesday thronged the Army recruitment rally being held at headquarters of Jammu and Kashmir light infantry centre at Rangreth.

Defying the threat of militants, around 9,000 Kashmiri boys on Tuesday thronged the Army recruitment rally being held at headquarters of Jammu and Kashmir light infantry centre at Rangreth.

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Terming the response as "unprecedented", an Army spokesman said "the rally is a step by the Army to ameliorate the unemployed youth of the valley. The unprecedented turnout for recruitment implies that the Indian Army has carved a niche for itself in the mind of Kashmiris. The youth has realized the importance of the Army and they want to join it."

Militants had threatened severe action against those joining the recruitment rallies being held by security forces in the valley.

The spokesman said the General Officer Commanding of the 15th corps Lt Gen Bikram Singh has given very clear instructions that youth of this region must get all possible help and assistance for selection into security forces.

The open recruitment rally, is being held for soldier general duty, soldier clerk, store keeper, soldier technical and soldier nursing assistant.

The official said that similar recruitment drives will be held in the near future also.