The recruitment drive is a boon for the young men in the valley who were brought up under the shadow of militancy.
Dressed in combat fatigues and a red turban at the Army's Passing Out Parade, 21-year-old Sameer Lone was proud to take oath to join the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment.
Sameer is from a remote village in North Kashmir's Bandipore and had to break many barriers to become a soldier. The family said his only dream was to join the Indian Armed Forces.
"That was his only choice and finally with God's help he has become a soldier," said his mother Sara.
A proud Rifleman, Sameer said his life now belongs to the country. "Even if I have to sacrifice my life for the country, I will do that, it does not matter," he said.
Rifleman Amir Mushtaq, also from Bandipore, drew his inspiration to join the Army from his elder brother who is also a soldier. His family supported him all along to pursue his passion.
Young cadets from across the state took oath to serve the nation in Kashmir at the parade attended by over a 1,000 relatives of the soldiers.
"It was my aim since childhood to be a soldier in the Indian Army, I want to do something for my country. I feel very poor to be a soldier," said Amir.
Young cadets from across the state took oath to serve the nation in Kashmir at the parade attended by over a 1,000 relatives of the soldiers. The new recruits have completed 11 weeks of strenuous training.
The recruitment drive is a boon for the young men in the valley who were brought up under the shadow of militancy. This gives them an opportunity to be employed and lead a regular life.
242 cadets joined the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Regiment in the passing out parade this year. The number was 142 last year.
Army said that many young men from the Valley are now joining the armed forces as it provides them with a stable and dignified career. 20,000 aspirants turned up to fill up 55 vacancies last year in Kashmir and 34,000 candidates registered themselves for a ten-day army recruitment rally in Jammu.
"The response to recruitment different regiments of the Army is very good. Last year, I recall a newspaper clipping headline said more than 20,000 youth turned up for 55 vacancies in a particular recruitment rally," said Lt General Satish Dua, GoC 15 Corps.