Army moving out of five J&K towns
George Iype in New Delhi
The government has embarked upon a "demilitarisation plan" in trouble-torn Jammu and Kashmir despite Pakistan's efforts to whip up a proxy war against the country in the border state.
The defence ministry has approved J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah's recommendation that the army should be withdrawn from key towns like Srinagar, Baramullah, Kupwara, Phulwama and Anantnag.
In sensitive border towns like Kargil, however, the army's presence will be augmented. Besides, no reduction of troops would be effected on the Line of Control, which has witnessed heavy Pakistani firing of late.
A ministry spokesperson told Rediff On The NeT that the decision to withdraw army personnel from the five towns was taken after the state government reported a significant improvement in the law and order situation.
The decision will not pose any security threat to the country from
Pakistan, the official said.
Chalking out a two-pronged security strategy in tandem with the state government, the Centre hopes to inspire confidence among the local population, impressing upon them that they face no threat from the militants.
The strategy involves deploying a first line of defence by the Border Security Force and a second line of defence by the J&K police.
To involve the Territorial Army in security duties, the state government may reduce the army's presence in other towns, defence officials said.
The 40,000-strong Territorial Army will be be deployed in J&K and the North-Eastern states.
The move will enable the 1.2 million-strong army to save resources, which could be utilised for its much-needed modernisation.
Another major saving would be in central funds. According to defence ministry estimates, security operations in the state have cost the exchequer more than Rs 60 billion in the past two years. Added to this are a number of economic packages and loan waivers which the Centre has announced from time to time for the state.
At present, nearly 300,000 military and paramilitary personnel are waging a battle against Pakistan-sponsored terrorists in J&K.
Defence ministry records say 1,138 army personnel have been killed and 2,607 wounded during counter-insurgency operations in the state from 1989.
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