Jaish-e-Mohammed leadership non-existent in Kashmir Valley: Lt Gen KJS Dhillon

Indian Army Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, said terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed leadership is non-existent in the Kashmir Valley. He also has appealed to mothers living in Jammu and Kashmir to try and stop their children from joining the paths of terrorism, adding that his appeal has been received positively.

"After my last appeal to mothers, there has been positive response, boys are approaching us and few have been rehabilitated," said Lieutenant General Dhillon. He added: "This year, especially after Pulwama attack, we targeted JeM leadership, today I can assure JeM leadership is non-existent in Kashmir Valley.”

"Two terrorists were killed in yesterday's Shopian encounter, one was a technical graduate and had joined organisation on April 3. It takes me back to the point I've been repeating, my request to mothers of Kashmir, please don't let your children take this path," he told news agency ANI.

"You sent him for higher education, but he dies days after joining the outfit. Is this the future of the youth of Kashmir? Are we working to see this day? This is my request to all boys joining the outfits, to surrender," he added.

In February, Lt Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon took over as the 48th Corps Commander of Army’s Srinagar-based strategic 15 Corps, which mans the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir. Lt Gen Dhillon took over the command of 15 Corps, also called the Chinar Corps, from Lt Gen AK Bhatt.

The General Officer has an incisive understanding of J&K, having served in the state for five tenures since 1988, notable being Sector Commander of the Rashtiya Rifles and Brigadier General Staff of the Chinar Corps.

A graduate of the Defence Service Staff College, Wellington, and the National Defence College, Delhi, Lt Gen Dhillon is credited with important appointments at the Army Headquarters and instructional appointments at the Infantry School, Mhow, and the Indian Army Training Team abroad.

(With PTI inputs)