Army toughens stance against uncooperative Kashmiri locals

While paying tribute to the martyred soldiers in Delhi, Army Chief Bipin Rawat came out strongly against those backing insurgents during counter-insurgency operations.

He said that those who hinder army's operations during confrontations and weren't supportive would be interpreted as "overground workers of terrorists".

He said that those displaying ISIS and Pakistan flags too would be treated as anti-nationals.

Recently, the Indian Army has had to grapple with local protesters who try and help terrorists escape during encounters and counter-insurgency operations.

Especially in South Kashmir, with every counter-insurgency operation, the locals have increasingly become more emboldened to hinder anti-militancy operations.

This often leads to a law and order problem for security establishment and the deaths of many locals.

4 terrorists, 2 Army men, and 2 civilians were killed in an encounter in the Kulgam district.

Reports claimed that as soon as the confrontation broke out tens of hundreds of people started marching towards the site.

Police claimed that the protesters tried to break the security cordon.

Though Section 144 had been imposed, the locals marched to the site to hinder the operation.