Surrender, Rehabilitation Is Assured, Security Forces Tell Terrorists In Kashmir

Terrorists who surrender during encounters will be given safe passage, a senior security officer said today, in what is seen as a major shift in counter-terror tactics in Jammu and Kashmir. The move comes as part of the Central government's fresh outreach efforts following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day message that Kashmir needs hugs, not bullets. The push to take forward the approach came during Union minister Rajnath Singh's four-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir that ended today. Mr Singh said 5Cs -- compassion, communication, co-existence, confidence-building and consistency - can lead to a permanent solution to unrest in the state.