Over 38,000 Youths Participate In Army Recruitment Rallies Across Jammu

Over 38,000 youth joined army recruitment rallies in J&K's Poonch and Doda, competing for Territorial Army positions after a five-year gap.

Poonch/Jammu: Over 26,000 young aspirants participated in a recruitment rally conducted by the army after a gap of five years in Jammu and Kashmir’s border district of Poonch, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying. 

Separately, another rally at Dugga near Bhalra in Doda district attracted over 12,000 enthusiastic youths eager to serve the nation, they added.

The recruitment rally in Poonch commenced at Advance Landing Ground in Surankote on November 8, aiming to fill 307 vacancies for soldier general duty and 45 vacancies for clerks and tradesmen in the Territorial Army, the officials said.

The rally was open to candidates from 31 tehsils of Jammu division, including Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, and Jammu districts, for soldier general duty, while candidates from across Jammu and Kashmir were eligible to apply for clerks and tradesmen positions.

“Over 26,000 enthusiastic candidates across the region took part in the selection process, showcasing their physical and mental readiness to serve the nation during the 10-day rally,” said an army recruitment official, expressing satisfaction with the youth's response.

The aspirants underwent rigorous physical tests, including a 1.6 km run, chin-ups, and other endurance exercises, followed by medical examinations and documentation checks, the official added.

"The response from the local youth has been tremendous. It is heartening to see such enthusiasm and passion to join the Indian Army. We are committed to providing a fair and transparent selection process," said an officer from the Territorial Army.

He noted that around 4,000 candidates have cleared the ground tests and will proceed to medical examinations.

Local residents appreciated the army’s efforts to organize the rally in the border district. “This is a significant step towards addressing unemployment in the border areas and instilling a sense of pride and patriotism among the youth,” said Syed Imtiaz Kazmi, a prominent citizen of Surankote.

The recruitment process, managed with strict adherence to safety protocols, is set to continue for the next three days. Officials emphasized that the initiative strengthens the army’s bond with the local population while addressing challenges of unemployment and underdevelopment in the region.

Many aspirants expressed hope of securing a place in the prestigious armed forces. Mohd Asad, a first-time participant from Poonch, said, “I am ready to serve the nation by joining the army.”

Another aspirant, Mohd Iqbal from Haveli, thanked the army for providing this opportunity to serve the nation.

Simultaneously, a 10-day recruitment rally is being held at Dugga for the domiciles of Reasi, Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts from November 11, drawing over 12,000 participants.

With patriotism in their hearts and determination in their eyes, these young individuals are taking their first steps towards a glorious journey, a defence spokesman said.

The army and civil administration have coordinated efforts to ensure the smooth conduct of both rallies, which aim to provide local youth an honorable path to serve the nation as "sons of the soil," he added.

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