Udhampur, Sept 29: Seven battalions of territorial army would be raised in Jammu and Kashmir to provide employment opportunities to the youth, Union Minister of State for Defence Chaman Lal Gupta said today. Out of the seven battalions, four would be from Jammu, two from Srinagar and one from among surrendered militants, Gupta said at an Indian Air Force recruitment rally here.

He said that rehabilitation of surrendered militants was on the top priority of the central government and also part of the employment package of one lakh jobs announced by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee during his visit to the state earlier this year.
Terming Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's speech in United Nations General Assembly as "highly irresponsible", the minister said it indicated that he was not interested in establishing friendly relations with India.

Earlier, IAF personnel performed a spectacular air show which was witnessed by thousands of people.

Bureau Report