Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday sought to dispel the misconception that the Army was against the removal of the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act of 1958.
Speaking at a function in Guwahati to felicitate the Assam-based veterans of the 1971 Indo-Pak war, he also said India would eliminate terrorism from across the border, if needed.
Mr. Singh said the partial removal of the AFSPA from Assam, Manipur and Nagaland was the result of durable peace and stability in the northeast. “Some people believe the Indian Army does not want AFSPA to be removed… the Army has a minimal role in internal security. The Army wants the situation in Jammu & Kashmir to be completely normal so that AFSPA can be removed from there as well,” he added.