The army said on Friday that it will observe 'maximum restraint' while dealing with the agitation over the Amarnath land transfer issue but it will be compelled to use "minimum force" if confronted.

"If any one -- whether it is an ex-service man or any one part of the crowd -- is instigating the crowd to confront the army, (then) after maximum restraint, minimum force will be used," general officer commanding, 9 Corps, Lieutenant-General Vinay Sharma told media-persons in Jammu.

The Army commander said the run-up to Independence Day was the "most sensitive time" in Jammu and Kashmir [ Images ] and the security forces were keeping a close vigil in the terror-hit state.