Amidst the increasingly gloomy pictures painted by some media persons and organisations about the deteriorating condition in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 by the Indian government, 575 youths from the state have enrolled in the Indian Army to fight against enemies of India.

575 youth from J&K joined the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regimental Centre during the passing out parade in SRINAGAR, today. pic.twitter.com/i9bKYZvsvH — ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2019

The newly joined 575 young men have been inducted in the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regimental Centre in the passing out parade in Srinagar. The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry was established in 1947 in an attempt to control Pakistan’s infiltration attempts.

Freshly recruited soldiers said that they are prepared to serve their motherland and wouldn’t hesitate for a moment to shed their lives to protect the country. Parents of the recruits who were present in the event claimed that it is a matter of pride for them to see their children joining the force to serve the country.

575 youth from Jammu and Kashmir join Indian Army in the Kashmir valley. First passing out parade after abrogation of the discriminatory Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir at JAKLI Regimental Centre. Congratulations to the new recruits taking oath in this video! Jai Hind! ?? pic.twitter.com/DzTQpf3mef — Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 31, 2019

As quoted by Zee News, Lt General Ashwini Kumar said that many recruitment drives would be conducted in the state, asserting that people of Jammu and Kashmir are gradually embracing the change. “The Indian Army stands with all those who want to move ahead in life,” he said.

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Contrary to many reports which claimed the Valley is on the tenterhooks with seething anger and disgruntlement among locals, the recent induction of 575 Jammu and Kashmir youth in the Indian Army suggest that a large number of residents do wish to join the mainstream and pursue their goals as proud Indian citizens. Fearing that normalcy might prevail in the state, terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizbul Mujahideen had issued a diktat through a letter, asking people to refrain from opening their shops or venturing out of their homes.