Centre set to withdraw 10,000 paramilitary troops from Jammu and Kashmir

The development comes even as militant activity continues in the Valley, with forces regularly coming under attack.

Sources said the latest order will not weaken the security set-up there are enough forces in the Valley. This, however, is the biggest reduction in one go, they added.

In the run up to the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status last year, and in the days ahead, the Centre had dispatched more than 700 companies (70,000 personnel) of paramilitary forces to Kashmir. These were in addition to the over 60,000 paramilitary personnel stationed in the Valley all year round.

“So, in real terms, the reduction will not make much of an impact on the ground,” a Jammu and Kashmir Police officer said.

Over the last few months, the Centre has been regularly withdrawing forces from the Valley. These reductions have been in the range of five to 10 companies.

Sources said the reductions are being carried out to meet needs in other parts of the country. “Bihar elections are coming. Forces will be needed there,” a security establishment officer said.

A Home Ministry official said: “Too much force had been deployed in anticipation of law and order situation in the wake of the revocation of special status. This created an accommodation problem and has led to a spike in Covid-19 infections among forces which have been requesting for reduction in deployment.”

Another official said forces in such large numbers were not required anymore as the past year had not thrown up any serious law and order challenge. “Forces had been rushed in anticipation of large-scale stone-pelting. Covid has ensured that nobody is on the streets,” the official said.