Srinagar, Nov 23: Conceding spurt in violence in the last few months in Jammu and Kashmir, army today blamed Pakistan for violence in the state but asserted that the situation in Kashmir was looking up "There are visible signs of normalcy in Kashmir as common man in Kashmir today wants peace. People are beginning to realise that it is in their interest to have peace," an Army statement said.
"The mentors of terrorism in Pakistan would not like to see improvement in the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Whenever there are signs of improvement in the situation, or a new peace initiative is underway, there has always been a reciprocal spurt in violence," the statement said.
It said government's offer of talks to Hurriyat Conference and peace offer to Pakistan were major step towards normalcy. Although Pakistan has accepted certain proposals with reservations, it has raised counter proposals and conditions which make the issue unaccpetable, it added.
The most important proposal affecting Kashmir was opening of Srinagar-Muzaffarbad Road which would enable people from both sides of Kashmir to visit each other thus enabling people to people contact and demonstrate the flourishing democracy in Kashmir.
On similar terms, our people would get an opportunity to assess the prevailing conditions in PoK, it said.
The statement said recent success achieved by the security forces in the valley were due to people coming forward and providing intelligence regarding the presence of militants.
Bureau Report