Army deploys more troops, steps up vigil in Rajouri-Poonch

According to sources, over three brigades of additional troops are being inducted in the sector from various reserve and strike corps formations. A brigade comprises approximately 3,500 personnel.

The additional deployment will not increase the density of troops in the area and fill the voids left by the withdrawal of an RR force in 2021, but will strengthen Road Opening Parties (ROP) for better protection against ambushes. An ROP comprises troops responsible for safe passage of military vehicles.

“An enhanced deployment is aimed at putting pressure on the terrorists and increasing the likelihood of contact,” said a source.

The recent attacks on Army vehicle convoys have led to a recalibration of the ROP and an increase in the number of security pickets.

In another major change, 48 RR – the unit which was deployed in the sector – will be sent to the Corps Battle School in Sarol to retrain and regroup under a new commanding officer.

As reported by The Indian Express, three officers — the brigade commander, commanding officer of the unit and company commander —  were moved out after three civilians were allegedly tortured to death during questioning. The civilians had been picked up for questioning after four soldiers were killed in a militant attack on an Army convoy in Poonch on December 21.

Additionally, increased use of satellite imagery and more helicopter and drone sorties by the latest Israeli Heron Mk 2 alongside other smaller UAVs are being carried out to strengthen surveillance of the Rajouri-Poonch area.

Last week, Army Chief General Manoj Pande had said the security situation in the Rajouri-Poonch belt was a cause for concern. “With the situation in the Valley getting normal, this is one area our adversaries have been active in, in terms of abetting terrorism, encouraging proxy tanzeems to operate,” he had said.

He had said terrorism was wiped out from the area in 2003, and the region saw peace till 2017-18. But, in the last three years, while seven soldiers were killed in Kashmir, 20 were killed in ambushes in the Rajouri-Poonch belt.

He had said the Army’s focus was on strengthening the existing intelligence network, including human and technical intelligence, in coordination with other agencies, and outreach to the local population.

Speaking about changes in troop deployment in the region, Gen Pande had said the Army has increased deployment in these areas and reoriented some units which were operating there.

As reported by The Indian Express, the Army has launched Operation Sarvashakti in the region – on the lines of Operation Sarpvinash – to flush out militants/ terrorists. As per sources, the region has more foreign terrorists than local militants.