Ultras will be welcomed back with open arms if they accept their mistake: Northern Army commander

The Northern Army commander said that the Army and the civil administration will facilitate not only their surrender but also ensure that they are well integrated back into the mainstream.

The Army on Monday appealed to the local youth who have joined militant ranks to surrender, saying the force believes in giving a second chance and the ultras will be welcomed back with open arms if they accept their mistake. General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GoC-in-C) of the Army’s Udhampur-based Northern Command, Lt. General Y.K. Joshi made the remarks at a function at Manasbal Lake Park in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district. The function was organised to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of the homecoming of 23 boys who “were forced to pick up arms”, but were rescued by the Army in the Gurez sector and handed over to their families later in 1998. They were felicitated by the Army at the function.