CSG Meeting at 15 Corps Hqs Calls for Efforts To Counter ‘Separatist Propaganda’

“The meeting discussed the strategy to counter ‘false narrative, misinformation campaigns on social media’, giving second chances to militants and putting in collective efforts to plug local-militant recruitment.”

SRINAGAR — Core Security Group, consisting of top officials of civil administration, intelligence agencies, and government forces in Jammu and Kashmir has called for continued efforts along with the civil society to counter the “separatist propaganda” and break the “cycle of violence” for long term peace in Kashmir.

The core group that met in the Headquarters of the Indian army’s 15 Corps, was co-chaired by the General Officer Commanding Chinar Corps, Lt Gen D P Pandey, and Director General of Police Jammu & Kashmir, Dilbag Singh.

According to the Defence PRO, Lt Col Emron Musvi, the meeting discussed the strategy to counter “false narrative, misinformation campaigns on social media”, giving second chances to militants and putting in collective efforts to plug local-militant recruitment.

The meeting also expressed its satisfaction over what it termed achieving all set benchmarks successfully, post rollback of Article 370 but the numbers suggest differently.

In a statement, the PRO quoting the observation made by the Core Group said that year 2021 witnessed a reduction in militant infiltration, reduced militancy incidents, reduced militant recruitment, increased operations based on human intelligence, reduced collateral damage, no civil casualties in law and order situation, reduced government forces’ casualties, increased arrest of militants and booking of OGWs; all pointing to effective conduct of joint operations and activities by government agencies.

He said that the efforts of the troopers and agencies were acknowledged by all those present in the meeting.

The statement said the Core Group discussed fresh strategies of the militant organizations and their handlers, including the use of hybrid militants and targetting of soft targets.

According to him, the Core Group observed that the setting up of the State Investigation Agency (SIA) and the increased booking by the NIA was showing the impact of focused intelligence and investigation efforts.

“These efforts have been effective in targeting drug, hawala, and the OGWs networks. Legal action on those willfully harboring militants is being increased as the harbourers have direct involvement in militant activities,” he said, referring to deliberations of the Core Group.

PRO Defence Srinagar maintained the officials in the Core Group meeting stated that the ceasefire improved the security situation along the border, however, “intelligence inputs of militant launch pads and militants training activities in Pakistan indicated the need to be alert along the Line of Control.

According to him, the officials during the meeting shared the challenge of “propaganda of the nexus through the internet and social media”. “Sadly, these efforts include legitimizing the killings of Kashmiri civilians by the militants. The use of social media to spread disinformation is widespread and needs to be countered proactively by a joint effort. Efforts at synergy in exposing fake news, booking of radicals trying to foment unrest, and proactive sharing of information by state agencies are being upgraded,” PRO Defence Srinagar said, mentioning the observations of Core Group.

He stated that the DGP and the Corps Commander appreciated that post the abrogation of Article 370, certain benchmarks were set, which had been achieved successfully for the restoration of peace and prosperity in the region.

“The DGP recommended continued efforts to give a chance of surrenders to local militants to give them a second chance at living a fruitful life,” Col Musavi said quoting the assertions of the DGP during the meeting.