Army asks politicians not to communalise martyrs

The army on Wednesday indirectly asked politicians not to communalise martyrs, a day after AIMIM president and MP Asaduddin Owaisi stated that five out of seven soldiers killed in the Sunjuwan military camp attack were Muslims.

"We don't communalise martyrs, those making statements don't know the army well," said Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Devraj Anbu.

The assertions came a day after Owaisi, a MP from Hyderabad, slammed those questioning the patriotism of Muslims, while making a reference to the fact that five army soldiers killed by terrorists at the Sunjuwan army camp in Jammu were Muslims.

General Anbu also expressed concern over the local youth in Kashmir joining militancy saying "the trend needed to be addressed."

"The enemy is frustrated and is trying for softer targets, when they fail at borders they attack on camps. Yes, youths joining militancy is a concern, we need to address this trend," he said.

While warning anyone who picks up arms against the state, the army commander said they will be dealt with sternly.

"Anyone who picks up an arm and is against the state, is a terrorist and we will deal with him," he said.

He said that Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba were hands in glove in carrying attacks.

"Whether it's in Valley or here (Jammu), there is no differentiation. They keep jumping from one tanzim (outfit) to other," Gen Abbu said.

He also blamed social media for acting as a catalyst in brewing militancy. "Social media is also responsible for increase in terror, it's engaging the youth at a large scale and I think we need to focus, " he said.

"Anyone who picks up an arm and is against the state, is a terrorist and we'll deal with him."

He said that Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Toiba terror outfits were hands in glove in carrying attacks. "Whether it's in Valley or here (Jammu), there is no differentiation. They keep jumping from one tanzim (outfit) to other," Gen Abbu said.