2,500 Kashmiris Attend Army Recruitment Rally After Pulwama Attack

The Kashmiri youth participated in the recruitment rally against 111 vacancies, days after Pulwama attack.

Image used for representational purposes only.

(Photo: PTI)

Days after the Pulwama terror attack which claimed lives of at least 40 CRPF personnel, around 2,500 Kashmiri youth participated in Army recruitment rally against 111 vacancies on Tuesday, 19 February, ANI reported.

The recruitment rally was held in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla.

Tariq Aziz, an aspirant told ANI, that since they cannot go out of Kashmir due to financial restraints, the Army is giving them an opportunity to work.

“We are happy and thankful to the Army that they are providing us an opportunity to serve our country. Due to financial issues, we cannot go out of Kashmir for work, hence, they (Army) are giving us an opportunity to work. The Army behaves very well with people of Kashmir. It is very sad that some youth are distracted and are choosing the wrong path. I would like to appeal to the youth of Kashmir to shun violence and choose the right path. The Kashmiri youth who understand things will choose the Army, to serve the nation.”

Tariq Aziz to ANI

An aspirant said that by joining the Army, he can protect his family and serve the nation.

“By joining the Army, we can serve the nation and also protect our families and take care of them as we hardly have any employment opportunities in the Valley.”

Army aspirant to ANI

Another aspirant pointed out that if Kashmiri personnel are deployed in sensitive areas, it will be help in dealing with the ongoing crisis. “We wish that more vacancies are offered to us. If Kashmiri personnel are deployed in the sensitive areas then they can talk to the people and deal with the ongoing crisis,” he said.

This comes after news of Kashmiri students being harassed in parts of India surfaced following the terror attack.

(With inputs from ANI)