Jammu, Aug 8 (PTI) The army today said it will observe "maximum restrain" 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 restrain, minimum force will be used," General Officer Commanding, 9 Corps, Lt General Vinay Sharma told reporters here.

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

"We do have intelligence reports that the terrorists may try to engineer some sorts of blasts and attacks...," he said. PTI