Srinagar: “A mother has a power and a say and I appeal the Kashmiri mothers to motivate their sons to lay down the arms and join the mainstream,” General officer Commanding (GoC) of 15 Corps of army said while addressing the passing-out-cum attestation parade at Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry training centre, Rangreth in Budgam district here on Saturday.
“Mothers have a power and today I appeal all Kashmiri mothers to ask their gun-wielding sons to return back to their homes to live a happy life back in their families. I guarantee the mothers that we will facilitate the safe return and entry of youth into the mainstream and also ensure their proper rehabilitation,” GoC Dhillon, said.
The GoC 15 Corps said that JAKLI is serving the country since 1947 and is a brave force. “A solider is identified outside his unit by his behavior and attitude that he learns in the parade ground during a training session,” he said. 152 recruits were inducted into the JAKLI after a rigorous training today. The GoC Dhillon said that new recruits were trained in battle-craft training, language, firing, physical fitness, sports and computer.
“The new pass outs will join their respective army units now and serve the country,” GoC Dhillon said. “These pass outs belong to all religious as some are Muslims, some Sikhs, some Christian and some Buddhists. The family members of the new recruits were also present at the parade-cum-attestation parade who greeted their wards who belonged to southern parts of Kashmir including Tral, Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam and Shopian besides all the regions from Jammu.
“It was my ambition since childhood to join the army. Today my dream of joining army has come true,” said a young recruit, Waseem Iqbal from Pulwama district as his mother kissed his forehead. Many other recruits expressed similar feeling. A few preferred not to speak citing present situation in Kashmir.