Jammu, Jun 12: Former Army Chief General (retired) V.P. Malik on Wednesday suggested that the upcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir should be postponed by a year, instead of being held by September this year.
Gen. Malik, in an interview with a private TV news channel, said that the elections should be postponed for a year as the situation in Kashmir could flare up if the terrorists have a few successes in the Jammu region.
He stated, “Don’t rush into the elections in J&K by September. Consolidate gains in Kashmir. A few successes terrorists have in Jammu will spur terrorism even in the Valley. More important than Assembly Elections by September 2024 is securing J&K. Postpone elections by a year.”
Pertinently, the Jammu region has witnessed four encounters and attacks in the last 96 hours, in which two terrorists, one CRPF Jawan, and nine civilians were killed in Kathua and Reasi districts, while several others were injured. Terrorist attacks were reported in Pouni, Hiranagar, Chattergala, and Gandoh areas.
