Indian Army Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon on Friday appealed to the mothers in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure their sons do not join terrorism. He also assured the mothers of those who have chosen the path of militancy but want to return, that the Army will ensure their return to the mainstream.

"I appeal to the mothers of those who have taken the path of violence, to ensure they do not join militancy or terrorism. If they have joined militant ranks and want to return, we will ensure they return to mainstream," Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, said.

Lt Gen KJS Dhillon was speaking at a passing out parade of Jammu and Kashmir light infantry where 152 youth of the state have joined the Army.

Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, Corps Commander of Chinar Corps, Indian Army: I appeal to all the Kashmiri mothers, please stop your children from going on the path of terrorism and militancy; bring those who have gone astray to the mainstream. I assure you of their safety & security. pic.twitter.com/78J6iAdJFa

ANI (@ANI) March 9, 2019

After the terror attack followed by an encounter in Pulwama district, the Army briefed the media at a press conference in Srinagar on February 19 where KJS Dhillon said, "Request all mothers of Kashmir to tell their sons to surrender and get back. Anyone who has picked up the gun will be killed and eliminated unless he surrenders".

While 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans were killed in the February 14 Pulwama attack, four Army jawans were killed in the encounter on February 18.

(With inputs from Kamaljit Kaur Sandhu in Srinagar)