‘Time not ripe for ceasefire’

Gen Prasad said that while the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) with Pakistan were progressing well, infiltration had not stopped. “Militant infrastructure is intact, their communication set-up is functioning and more militants are being pushed into the Indian side,” he said adding, “Compared to the previous year, very high level of infiltration took place this June and July along the LoC.”

Lt Gen Prasad, however, said the situation was gradually improving and only about 1,500 militants were active in the Valley. “In 2003, some 3,000 militants were operating in the state. Though normalcy is yet to be restored, it is round the corner,” he said.

Lt Gen Prasad said that to make their presence felt, militants were now targeting civilians by exploding car bombs. “Seventy five percent of their leaders have been killed. Now, their aim is to create terror by killing civilians,” he said.

Apart from guarding the LoC, Lt Gen Prasad said the Army was also involved in tackling insurgency in rural pockets. “If the situation improves, paramilitary forces and police will be handed over the security of rural areas of the state as well,” he said.

CRPF man shoots self

SRINAGAR: A crpf jawan committed suicide inside the heavily guarded Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar today, official sources said. Shivraj Singh of 50th Battalion of CRPF shot at and critically injured himself from his service rifle this afternoon, the sources said. Singh was rushed to a hospital where he died, sources said.