CRPF to replace Indian Army in Jammu anti-terror operations

In a tactical shift in their strategy ahead of the winter months, the top brass of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been directed to take over counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism (CI/CT) operations from the Indian Army in vulnerable pockets of the Jammu region in a phased manner.

Security agencies have so far identified 21 locations in Kathua and Udhampur districts where CRPF units, supported by specialised Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) companies, will replace Army camps currently handling hinterland CI/CT roles. 

CoBRA battalions, equipped for jungle warfare, can act as a force multiplier to effectively deal with the foreign terrorists who have carved out their safe hideouts inside jungles and execute targeted killings without coming on the radar of the security forces, especially in the Jammu region.

Soon after the formal induction of these battle-hardened companies into the multi-tier security grid, the CRPF will be tasked with undertaking operations in the forested areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

Having successfully led anti-Naxal operations in central India, select CRPF units are currently being de-inducted from the Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) theatre to be repositioned in Jammu and Kashmir, officials added.

The reorganisation of paramilitary forces will allow Army infantry and Rashtriya Rifles units to be withdrawn from routine anti-terror duties in the hinterland and redeployed to strengthen the Line of Control and Line of Actual Control.

At present, quick reaction teams (QRTs) of the CRPF are already participating in anti-terror operations along with the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir police and the Indian Army.

Some of the CRPF units also remain deployed in the outer cordon to plug the escape routes of terrorists and deal with the local masses during the engagement of troops with the anti-national elements.

In several areas, CRPF personnel have already set up Temporary Operating Bases (TOBs) in the upper reaches to track down the suspected movement of armed terrorists following a surge in the terrorist related incidents in the forested areas of Kathua and Udhampur.

Last year in April, a new Commando Battalion for Resolute Action (CoBRA) was raised for Jammu and Kashmir, on the directions of the Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Last year, Pakistan-based terrorists launched several operations targeting security personnel and patrolling parties to inflict maximum injuries and spread the reign of terror across the Jammu region. In response, the security forces had to launch massive combing and search operations to track down the footprints of perpetrators behind these attacks. The Pakistan-based terrorists relied heavily on their network of overground workers, and on the other hand, the security forces were not receiving adequate human intelligence to launch anti-terror operations to neutralise these hiding terrorists.

According to official sources, 21 CRPF companies comprising around 2,100 personnel, along with at least nine CoBRA teams, are expected to man the camps. Sources indicated that troop numbers and formal handover procedures are being finalised, with the first phase focused on the most sensitive sites. The CRPF will operate from existing Army infrastructure to ensure continuity.

According to the latest assessment of the Intelligence agencies, Pakistan is making desperate attempts to push fresh groups of armed terrorists inside Indian territory via the Line of Control and the International border with Pakistan.  During the winter months, the plain areas of Jammu and the Line of Control in the frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch become active transit points for the various terrorist groups.

The Home Ministry has already given its nod to modernise the CRPF units by equipping CRPF personnel with specialised winter gear, including Himsuraksha clothing sanctioned earlier this year.