Centre rushes 10,000 troops to Kashmir
The Centre has ordered rushing of about 10,000 central forces personnel to the Kashmir valley in order to strengthen counter-insurgency operations and law and order duties there, officials said Saturday.
Officials said that the Union home ministry has ordered the deployment of 100 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) on July 25 on an “immediate” basis.
“There are less troops in north Kashmir and that’s why we need additional forces. 100 companies have been airlifted and that’s what we had asked for,” said Director General of Jammu and Kashmir police Dilbag Singh.
The decision to send the troops came after National Security Advisor Ajit Doval returned from a two-day visit to Kashmir valley. Sources said he met senior officers and reviewed the law and order situation in the state that’s still under the President’s rule.
Director General of Jammu and Kashmir police Dilbag Singh said they have already requisitioned for these troops for deployment in north Kashmir.
The latest units will be drawn from the CRPF (50 companies), SSB (30) and ITBP and BSF will contribute 10 each, they said.
The troops will be addition to about 65 regular battalions of the Central Reserve Police Force in the valley and over 20 other battalions of other forces deployed to conduct the yatra that will end on August 15.
The Home Ministry has said these personnel will be deployed to strengthen the counter-insurgency grid and law and order duties in the Kashmir Valley. Officials said the additional troops are being air-lifted and sent by trains.
