Jammu, Oct 20: The recruitment process for seven battalions of the territorial army, being raised in Jammu and Kashmir to fight terror, will begin next month, Minister of State for Defence Chaman Lal Gupta has said. "The recruitment process will start in November. The territorial army will help in combating terrorism in border areas," the Minister said interacting with locals in Doda district yesterday.
The special police officers would get preference in the recruitment, he said adding efforts were on to enhance honorarium of the SPOs.
Talking to locals in remote Goha area, Gupta lauded the people for voting in large numbers in the last assembly polls in the state despite militant threats and misleading Pakistani propaganda.
He had a special praise for SPOs saying they were doing a remarkable job in fighting terrorism in the state.
On Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Gupta said "it is a part of India and the position of Pakistan is that of an aggressor".
BUreau Report