A recruitment rally for 55 posts in the Territorial division of the Army on Thursday witnessed an unprecedented response from the unemployed youths of the valley, with thousands turning up at the venue.

Officials said that around 20,000 youth reached to the JAKLI headquarters- on the city outskirts, to fill up the 55 vacancies of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Battalion (Home & Hearth) of Territorial Army.

The rally was meant for the people of the four districts – Ganderbal, Budgam, Pulwama and Srinagar. Officials said that since morning thousands from different parts thronged the venue ahead of the scheduled time.

“I completed my post graduation two years ago. Today I came here to get a job, as I am jobless for the last two years.” said Waseem Ahmad Wani, a resident of South Kashmir’s Pulwama town. “I reached at 7 am as I wanted to enter the campus first,’’ he added.

Another youth, Shabir Ahad, 27, from Ganderbal told The Indian Express that the salary provided by the army attracted him to opt for the job. “After completing my studies, I failed to get a job and had joined business,” he said. “I am here today because I need a job, that would provide me handsome salary,”

Col Brijesh Pandey, Col GS (IW) HQ, 15 Corps said that around 20,000 youth turned up at the venue. “From the pictures and the inputs we have received, more than 20,000 attended the rally.”

He said that parents in the Valley are now motivating their children to join the armed forces. “Since it provides stable and dignified career, now youth in valley are opting their career in the armed forces,” he said.

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