Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday said that if Pakistan doesn’t mend its way, the army will cross the LoC and destroy all the militant camps there.Governor Malik’s statement comes close on the heels of Army Chief General Bipin Rawat’s statement that three militants have been destroyed in an artillery strike across the LoC.“Pakistan must behave. If they don’t mend their ways, what happened yesterday, more than that will happen,” Governor Malik told reporters on the sidelines of Police Commemoration Day at Zewan on Srinagar outskirts.According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Governor Malik said that war is a bad thing and no solution to the issues. “But if Pakistan doesn’t mend its ways and stop sending infiltrators to this side army will cross LoC and damage all militant camps there,” Malik said.In a veiled message to militants, Governor Malik said that these “boys who are shouting” must join peace process and start their new journey in new Kashmir. “I want to ask these boys who are roaming around, what they have achieved. They must join the journey of new Kashmir and contribute towards it,” he said.He was apparently referring to November 1 when Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh would officially be declared as Union Territories (UTs). On August 5, Centre scrapped the 70-year-old special status to Jammu and Kashmir and announced J&K and Ladakh as two UTs.
Earlier, in the speech, the Governor showered praises on the Jammu and Kashmir police stating that Centre is proud of this force which is purely professional in nature. “The J&K police met all challenges with full professional capability post abrogation of Article 370 when we had apprehensions of law and order issues. On the anti-militancy front, police has proved its mettle and is dealing with the menace of militancy in a very professional manner,” Governor Malik said, as per KNO.He said all the demands put forth by the Jammu and Kashmir will be met in a time-bound manner. “Centre has already accepted the demand of police that their ex-gratia will be at part with the Central forces which is Rs one Crore. So if a J&K police man dies in line of duty, an ex-gratia of Rs one crore will be paid to the next of kin of slain,” Governor Malik said.Remembering the sacrifice of 292 security force personnel of different States, including 30 officers and jawans of Jammu and Kashmir Police, who laid down their lives for the nation during the past one year, the Governor said that the country is indebted to all “these martyrs” and will always remember their sacrifices for upholding the rule of law and ensuring safety and security of the people.Speaking on the occasion, Director General of Police J&K, Dilbagh Singh said that police is operating in a very professional manner on multiple fronts—militancy, maintaining close rapport with the common people and dealing with the law and order challenges.“Since August 5, police has been facing multiple challenges and we have successfully deal all challenges. Today, Kashmir is witnessing a peaceful atmosphere. Barring a few law and order issues, situation across the Valley remained peaceful on all fronts,” he said. (KNO)