NEW DELHI, Sept 28: Indian Army Chief Gen J.J. Singh sees the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir as ripe for an early withdrawal of troops from civilian areas, Press Trust of India said on Friday.

Infiltration and militancy levels in Jammu and Kashmir and North East have been brought down to ‘minimum levels’, Gen Singh said on Friday, hinting at the possibility of reduction of troops.

“Situation is fast coming to normal and grounds have been created for a final settlement of these issues,” he said adding, if the present trend continued, it could mean troops going back to their primary task of securing the nation’s border.

“Iron fist and velvet gloves policy is a resounding success,” Gen Singh told reporters as he prepared to lay down office on Monday.

He disclosed that casualties among the security forces were reduced to one-third of what they used to be few years ago. The army had been able to achieve a much higher attrition rate in the battle against militants.

“In the conflict-prone areas of Kashmir and North-East, the levels of violence have been considerably brought down. People have rejected terrorism and there is now a wish to lead a peaceful life,” Gen Singh said at a farewell function where he handed over the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee baton to the Naval Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta.

“We have been able to overcome the challenge of militants,” he said, adding that beyond this, it was not a military problem, but a politico-social issue which was being addressed by the government.