In a strife torn place like Kashmir valley, the Indian Army’s ‘Operation Maa’ has saved lives of about 50 Kashmiri youths who were radicalised and pushed towards militancy. As per reports, several senior defence personnel engaged in counter-insurgency operations revealed that the ‘Operation Maa’, planned by Kashmir-based 15 Army Corps, had saved several lives, which was being appreciated by families of youths, mainly stone-throwers. The operation, launched on the directions of General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 15 Corps Lieutenant General Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon. He undertook this exercise to look for missing youths and approached their families so that the boys can return home and not indulge in terrorism. There have been many ups and downs to make the Operation successful but in the end, it was worth the efforts. As per the data, 83 per cent of the youths joining various terrorist groups had a record of stone pelting while 7% who join terrorism are killed within first 10 days of picking up arms, 9 per cent within one month, 17 per cent in three months, 36 per cent in six months and 64 per cent in the first one year itself. The Operation ‘Maa’ is a step towards saving the Kashmiri youth from radicalisation and picking up guns.
