Security personnel deployed in Srinagar.

28,000 additional troops being deployed in Kashmir, say reports; MHA calls them ‘speculations’

New Delhi (The Statesman) -- After reports of over 28,000 additional troops of paramilitary forces being deployed in the Kashmir valley, the Ministry of Home Affairs said that these were just “speculations”.
According to a report in PTI, officials aware of the development had on Thursday said that over 280 companies of security forces are in the process of being deployed in the Kashmir.
The security forces, mostly CRPF personnel, are being deployed in vulnerable spots in the city and other parts of the valley, they said. However, no reason was given for the sudden deployment of over 28,000 troops late in the evening, the officials said.
MHA sources quoted by ANI said that 100 companies had been ordered for deployment about a week ago, which are in the process of reaching their destinations. This has apparently led to speculations of induction of additional forces.
Based on the assessment of internal security situation, training requirements, the need for paramilitary troops to be rotated for rest and recuperation, induction and de-induction of central forces is a continuous and dynamic process, they further said.
The sources also said that it has never been the practice to discuss in public domain the details of deployment and movement of paramilitary forces deployed in a particular theatre.
According to officials, all major entry and exit points of the city have been taken over by the Central Armed Paramilitary Forces with a token presence of local police.
Local residents have started panic-buying essentials as they are linking the deployment of forces to the apprehension of deterioration in the law and order situation.
Meanwhile, in view of the ongoing situation in Kashmir valley, Centre has put the Air Force and the Army on high operational alert.
For the rapid induction of CRPF and other paramilitary troops into the valley, the Centre has pressed Indian Air Force aircraft including the C-17 heavy-lift plane into service, according to an ANI alert.
However, sources quoted by ANI have claimed that the IAF flying operations in Jammu and Kashmir are part of “normal activity”. Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft are also operating from airbases inside the state, they added.
The development comes as the countdown for the removal of the controversial Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir has started.
Last week, the Centre had issued an order for the deployment of additional 10,000 troops of the paramilitary forces comprising the CRPF, BSF, SSB and ITBP in Jammu and Kashmir in order to strengthen the counter-insurgency grid and for maintaining law and order situation in the state.
The order was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on July 25.

(Latest Update August 5, 2019)