CRPF plans to raise mountain battalions to fight terror in J&K

The CRPF is learnt to have highlighted during the meeting its proposal to create 659 posts for their Mountain Battalions.

“After monitoring their (terrorists’) regular activities, it has been observed that over a period, they have moved from urban areas to the terrain of forests at higher reaches. Since they are changing their modus operandi, security establishments also have to reinvigorate their plans as per the current scenario,” a senior official said.

J&K Zone is one of the largest zones under the CRPF’s jurisdiction, comprising six sectors where 80 operational battalions are deployed.

On June 24, in a communication to the J&K range, it was informed that the CRPF DG has instructed that work begin on raising Mountain Battalions to conduct operations in higher reaches. “For a start, an existing battalion may be trained in mountain warfare. For strengthening of intelligence setup, the proposal of creation of 659 posts is under active consideration in the Ministry of Home Affairs and once approved, will address the concerns. Furthermore, proposals for long term – four to five years – community engagement programmes should be prepared by the zones, which would be forwarded to the MHA for approval,” an official said, citing the communication.

The meeting at North Block follows a spurt in violence in Jammu. On June 9, nine pilgrims were killed and 33 injured when a bus ferrying them was attacked in Reasi. Later, a CRPF jawan and two militants were killed and seven security personnel injured in three separate encounters in Doda and Kathua districts.

At a meeting later, PM Narendra Modi directed senior officials to ensure the “deployment of the full spectrum” of “counter-terror capabilities”.

Sources said that during the meeting on Jammu, it was decided that apart from generating robust intelligence and strengthening the anti-infiltration grid on the Jammu border (most recent attacks in Jammu have been carried out by terrorists from Pakistan), there needs to be a greater presence of police and security forces on the ground. “A comprehensive plan has been prepared to increase boots on the ground and have more patrolling,” said a senior official.