AFSPA is a must for functioning of security forces: Army

Ahead of the cabinet committee on security meet to discuss the proposal of amendment to the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), a senior army officer today said the act is a "must" for the functioning of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

"AFSPA is a must as far as functioning of the security forces is concerned and that is my stand," general officer commanding in chief (GOC-in-C), Northern Command Lt General BS Jaswal told reporters in reply to a question about the army's stand on AFSPA.

"I had time and again spoken on this issue. Our chief has spoken on it and also ministry of defence has spoken on it and cleared their stand," he said.

Referring to the security situation in the state, he said, "The internal and external situation on the borders is under control".

"As far as the internal security is concerned, a dynamic situation emerged in the North of Pir Panchal and that is what I called agitational terrorism," he said.

Blaming Pakistan for agitational terrorism in Kashmir Valley, he said we have intercepts that "stone pelting terrorism" was guided and directed from Pakistani soil.

"I have a message for the Kashmiri youth that the future does not lie in stone pelting, it lies in seeking education, employment and undertaking development of their state and society," he said.