Apart from the Army and Air Force, the paramilitary forces like CRPF and BSF have also engaged themselves in a major way in relief and rescue operations in flood-ravaged Jammu and Kashmir despite themselves being affected due to the devastation caused by the incessant rains in the State.
While the CRPF has rescued over 27,000 civilians in the State, the BSF along with the National Disaster Response Force evacuated over 21,000 marooned persons.
In addition to carrying out rescue operations, the paramilitary forces have also been providing relief to the affected people including medical facilities, rehabilitation, restoration of communication and repair of the damaged roads, embankments, building and houses. The paramilitary forces have also provided relief stores including food, water and tentage.
The BSF has established a flood relief camp just outside the Srinagar airport where 4,000 rescued people are being provided shelter apart from food, water and medical aid. During a visit last week to Srinagar, Minister of State for personnel Jitendra Singh appreciated the efforts of the BSF in establishing the relief camp.
As the overflowing Jhelum river caused havoc in various parts of the State, the BSF also rescued some of the trapped Army jawans. On September 5, the Bela post in the Boniyar area along the Baramulla-Uri raod of the BSF and Rashtriya Rifles situated downstream was cut from the mainland due to breach in the river embankment by flood water. The BSF Bela post commander pooled the available resources and rescued trapped 34 personnel of the paramilitary and 47 Army troops of the Rashtriya Rifles besides 10 civilians.
The CRPF that is deployed in internal security roles in the State has also pooled the available resources in rescuing over 27,000 affected people. The force has rescued over 10,000 people from Humhama, Karannagar, Sonwar and Indra Nagar in Srinagar district, another over 8,000 from Bemina, 3,500 from Rambagh and over 2,000 from Wazirbagh in the State capital besides about 2,500 from Pulwama, according to official CRPF data.