The Army's northern command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on Friday, 16 November said there is a relative decline in the number of youths joining militancy in Kashmir for the past some time.
However, he said there have been a large number of reports of radicalisation of youths in the Valley.
"As far as recruitment is concerned, it is a matter of satisfaction that for the past some time there has been a relative decline in the number of youths joining militancy," Singh told reporters.
He did not specify the time period.
The trend should continue for some time, he said, replying to a question posed by PTI about the current trend of youths joining militancy.
"There have been a large number of reports of radicalisation of youths," he added.
Singh said the Army's Goodwill Schools were helping check the radicalisation. There have been no reports of any student of these schools being radicalised, he added.
The Goodwill Schools are a part of the Army's civil action programme 'Operation Sadhbhavana' to connect with the local population.
The Army has taken stock of the situation. In most of the cases there are ample leads to follow and arrest terrorist movements in south of Pir Panchal, he added.
Speaking about the security of upcoming panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir, Singh said the Army would ensure that the elections are peaceful.
He said several rounds of security meetings have been held with the governor and the director general of police.
The force will be able to provide a secure environment so that people can come out and vote freely, he said.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)